Movers Will Avoid Potential Hazards:

It is a lot more difficult to handle relocation when there aren’t any professionals involved. Professional movers have the training, equipment and experience to do the job more efficiently. Not to mention, they are aware of all the potential hazards that as movers, they must keep an eye out for. If one isn’t aware of what to watch for, they could easily end up damaging or losing the possessions.

During the loading and unloading process of the move, the movers will carefully handle all of your property. They will use the techniques they learned n training to lift and move the boxes, furniture and other possessions safely as to not cause harm to themselves or the property. The rollers, dollies, ramps and other tools they bring with them are all designed to assure safety. This makes the relocation much easier on everyone and things will be less likely to get damaged.

Other potential hazards come with being on the road en route to the next location. The driver will pay close attention to the weather and road condition reports. If they spot any potential hazards, they will try to take another route. They will avoid road construction, poor weather, bad neighborhoods, and disheveled roadways.

Not only are the movers trained to stay away from such potential hazards, but they offer insurance coverage for added protection. If anything ends up lost, stolen or broken even while the movers are being cautious, it will be covered by the company’s insurance plan. File a claim if you need to and your possessions will be repaired or replaced.

[Infographic] Home Values Continue Steep Climb in August

Home prices in the country, spurred by low mortgage rates, continue to forge ahead. On average, American home prices have recovered nearly all their losses from the 2006 crash, but when adjusted for inflation they still have some ground to cover at 20% below the 2006 peak.

Home Price Index (HPI) indicates that home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, gained 1.1 percent from June and were 6 percent higher than in July 2015.

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Oregon and Washington continue to top the charts with double digit annual increases of 11.2 and 10.2 percent respectively.  Leading that charge were the cities of Portland – which saw 12.6 percent gains – and Seattle – which saw an 11 percent jump.

They were followed by Colorado at 9.3 percent, West Virginia (8.6 percent) and Utah (7.9 percent.)  Only one state failed to net an annual gain – Connecticut – where prices dipped 1.2 percent.

Price gains in the Midwest were mixed. Home prices in Cleveland and Chicago rose just 2.5 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively, while in Minneapolis they climbed a faster 5.1 percent.

Southern cities saw stronger increases. Home prices jumped 8.9 percent in Dallas, 7.9 percent in Tampa, and 5.8 percent in Atlanta.

Inventory continue to be a key driver in home value appreciation and, with housing start numbers lagging, is poised to dog us well into 2017 at least.

The number of homes for sale has fallen 5.8 percent from a year ago, leaving would-be buyers with fewer choices, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“The tight supply of homes on the market continues to constrain sales, while low mortgage rates and job growth help fuel healthy demand. This results in a pressure cooker effect, and the market’s traditional pressure release valve — new home construction — isn’t helping much, given that new home sales are running more than 40 percent below historically normal levels,” wrote Andrew LePage, research analyst at CoreLogic.

Part of the inventory problem revolves around the lack of a skilled workforce needed to ramp up construction.

“Land and labor shortages will continue to be limiting factors and will constrain supply and restrict the ability to quickly respond to growing demand, while the mortgage market and higher rents will continue to constrain that demand,” said Lennar CEO Stuart Miller

Eight years after the housing bust drove an estimated 30 percent of construction workers into new fields, homebuilders across the country are struggling to find workers at all levels of experience, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.

The association estimates that there are approximately 200,000 unfilled construction jobs in the U.S. – a jump of 81 percent in the last two years.

Nationwide, there are 17 percent fewer people working in construction than at the market peak, with some states – including Arizona, California, Georgia and Missouri – seeing declines of 20 percent or more, according to data from the Associated General Contractors of America.

What happens when you have a shortage? Prices rise. That’s simple supply and demand economics.

Not only is the supply of homes constricted, but the cost of labor is more which bleeds over into inflated home values for new construction and for existing homes too.

The good news is that single family housing starts in June were up 13 percent from the previous year with all housing starts – including multi unit – increasing as well. The positivity carried into July which posted the some of the strongest housing start numbers since the crash.

In other words, hang in there the inventory just might be coming after all. Let’s just hope the record low mortgage rates are around to see it.

Nine Tips For An Easy, Breezy Unpack:

First off, your moving company (at least if it’s a good one) will not abandon you. They would be happy to help you unpack. Just tell them where things go, and they’ll get to it. That’s for organized people, though, or people who used the moving company to pack.

We live in the real world, though, and in the real world, we start out with the best of intentions. We carefully label and organize maybe the first 20 boxes or so, but once moving day begins to creep up upon us, the organizational system begins to go out the window. Of course, this can all be avoided by paying the moving company to pack you, but we don’t all do that, and that’s okay.

I can’t say I actually enjoy unpacking, but it’s far less tedious than packing, and it’s a lot more rewarding. There is a real sense of accomplishment in seeing your new digs come together with your stuff. So, how can that be done quickly, and with as little hassle as possible?

1. Unpack cleaning supplies first – You’ll need them.
2. Unpack the kitchen – Trust me when I say you’ll need your kitchen stuff. Odds are, you don’t have to get too creative with unpacking the kitchen. First, though, put a post-it on each cabinet door. This trick might seem sort of stupid, but when you’re unpacking, you don’t want to think. Know in advance where everything goes, and putting things away will be a breeze.
3. Electronics – You want to give the kids something to do.
4. Toys – Ditto.
5. Unpack the clothing next – Unpack the kids’ clothes first and then yours. The bedrooms should be very easy. When you pack, pack one drawer per box. Then everything can easily go right back in. Your mover should provide you with wardrobe boxes, which makes hanging things in your closet super fast.
6. Unpack books – You might not need books right away, but they are easy to unpack and they help you feel at home.
7. Unpack knick-knacks – You can put this off, but I don’t like to. There is nothing like your personal collections to make your new home feel like you.
8. Pictures on the wall – Like with the knick-knacks.
9. The garage – I’ll confess, we moved 7 months ago, and there are still boxes in our garage. The garage usually gets last priority, but don’t put it off as long as we have. Your cars will appreciate it.

Yes, this sounds easy – perhaps too easy, but it can be broken out. If you work full-time and have children, you probably won’t unpack in a day or a week, but you can in a couple of weeks, if you set aside some time to unpack maybe five boxes an evening.

Don't Forget to Do These 8 Things Before You Move:

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By Diane Schmidt

Moving Expert

 

 

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Over the years and my many moves, I always think I have moving down to a very fine science; however, usually in the midst of the moving chaos, I forget something and swear that I'll add it to a growing list of things to do for the next time we move.

To save you the trouble and frustration here's my list.

1. Items from the Cleaners, Tailors and Shoe-repair Shops

Make sure you collect your stuff from the cleaners before you move. I once left a pair of sandals that my husband dropped off at a shoe repair shop in late August after I had complained about the lack of shoes in my closet. When we moved later in the fall, I forgot to collect my sandals.

2. Personal Records

Collecting all records usually ends up in my what to do 8 weeks before I move list. Make sure youcollect all records, including family health records and veterinarian files. Also include copies of prescriptions or a list from your pharmacist. I always carry of record of my eye prescription as well.

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Some pharmacies and medical centers will transfer your records to your new physician. Set-up the transfer before you leave. This may include a signed letter to your current health care practitioner that states you provide permission to forward. Ask before you move.

Also collect your child's school records.

3. Your New Address and Contact Info

Keep a copy of your new address and contact information with you at all times and make sure you label important items such as pet tags and luggage. Also, make sure the moving company has the new address.

4. Spare Keys and Hidden Valuables

I usually keep a spare key with a neighbor or carefully hidden outside just to avoid those frantic calls to the locksmith. We also keep spare car keys hidden. Make sure you collect all hidden items before you move. These things are easy to forget since they are seldom used.

5. What About the Mail?

Even though we're living in an email world, we still rely on our daily snail-mail for information from government agencies, such as the IRS. Make sure you register the address change with the post office until you have time to notify your contacts.

6. Garage Door Opener

This is one item that most people forget to leave behind! Make sure you take it out from the glove compartment and leave it for the next tenants. This is one item you shouldn't pack!

7. Library Books, Gym Memberships, Club Fees

Make sure you return all those library books then notify the library that you're moving so they can cancel your card. I once had someone use my library account to take (and keep) some very valued books and music CDs. Also, check with any other clubs to cancel your membership. Some fitness facilities will give you money-back or credit for unused portions, or they may be able to transfer your membership to a club in your new hometown.

8. Clean Up After the Fact

After the movers have left and just before you leave your old home, make sure you clean the house and dispose of any leftover items. There's nothing more frustrating then getting to your new home to find that the old tenants left you some furnishings that you would never use. Disposal costs money and takes time. So be a good mover and get rid of anything left behind. And remember, some items cannot be packed or moved.

Sending Your Message:

1. 
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   • You should receive a reply like "250 mail.server.com Hello yourdomain.com pleased to meet you."
   • If you receive no response or an error message, try EHLO instead of HELO. Some servers prefer one to the other.
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   Enter the sender “header” information. Type mail from: you@server.com, using your own e-mail address. Make sure there is a space after the mail from:. Press↵ Enter.

   • You should receive message that says something similar to "250 Sender OK.”
   • If you see an error, double-check that you’re using an e-mail address with the same domain as the server. Your server may not allow you to send a message with your yahoo.com address, for example.
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   • You should see a message that says something along the lines of "250 OK – MAIL FROM you@yourdomain.com "
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Tips and Tricks to Moving a Piano:

HOME IMPROVEMENT WRITER: BENJAMIN ROUSSEY

Pianos come in various sizes and are one of the popular musical instruments in the world. They are amazingly versatile in terms of use in composing, rehearsal, solo performances, chamber music, ensemble use, and accompaniment among  others. Pianos take up a lot of floor space and as a result are found more in homes than in small apartments. If you need to move a piano, it must be done with great care. Pianos tend to be bulky and are also quite valuable which makes moving them around corners and in elevators, a tricky thing.

1. Before you can move your piano, you must have all the right equipment with you. Renting is a better option for you than purchasing the equipment because you may not need it again and buying it might be a waste of your money.

   1.Different Factors

   Professional piano movers are likely to charge a flat rate which would be calculated based on the size and weight of the piano, the distance it is to be moved, the level of difficulty involved, the time it will take to move the piano, and any waiting time that might be involved.

2. 2.A Rare Case

   If you plan to move your piano by yourself, you will need to seek the assistance of a couple of physically fit friends. They will have to be given specific instructions on how to handle the piano and its weight without causing them or the instrument any kind of harm.

3. 3.Moving Equipment

   Before you can move your piano, you must have all the right equipment with you. Renting is a better option for you than purchasing the equipment because you may not need it again and buying it might be a waste of your money. Heavy duty straps to provide a hold on the piano, a furniture dolly that can support its weight, as well as padding material should figure on your shopping list. A four-wheel dolly with rubber wheels is highly suitable for moving a piano. A truck which is big enough to hold the piano will also have to be rented if you are moving the piano to another address.

4. 4.Protecting the Piano

   You must close and lock the piano’s keyboard lid before moving it to ensure that the fragile keys are not damaged in any way. The piano must be wrapped in padding that is secured with tape so that the body of the piano does not become scratched or chipped while being moved. You can also use protective plastic over the padding for added security if you wish.
 

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5. 5.Shifting the Piano

   A piano should never be lifted by its legs and you should not wrap any straps around them or tie them down. The piano should be always kept in the upright position as laying it on its side might disturb its internal mechanics. You can put the straps under the piano and have one person each hold one end of one strap. This means you will need at least four people to do the job right. Then the piano should be lifted on to the furniture dolly and secured tightly. While moving it to the vehicle or its new location ensures that you hold on to the handle all the time. Watch out for door jambs and thresholds which can make it a bumpy ride.

6. 6.Protecting the Piano

   In the van, you should place the piano against the back wall to ensure maximum stability in a moving vehicle. You can put in planks on the floor of the van to make the floor level and prevent strain on the piano legs and casters. Once you are at your destination, make sure the new spot for your piano is a good one. It should not be placed some place where it is too cold or too hot. The best spot for a piano is usually against the wall (this refers to flat sided pianos). Once the piano is set down in its place, it needs to be tuned again before it can be played.

7. 7.Precautions

   You must be careful not to tip over the piano as this can injure someone. Since most of the weight of a piano is located towards it back, it has a tendency to tilt over (this is for rectangle or flat sided pianos). Even if your piano has metal casters, do not try to push it around. Those casters are mainly decorative and can break off if you try to push the piano around.