Tag Archives: moving

Organizing your New Home – Unpacking Strategies

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19123362_SSo now that you’ve moved into your new Fulton home, you can unpack easily because every box is labeled and you have an inventory of everything. On top of that, you have been planning where everything will go in your new home. All you have to do is open the boxes with the Swiss Army Knife you always carry in your pocket and put everything away – right?

If, instead, you only have about half the boxes labeled, you’re not sure what’s in most of them and they’re all in the wrong rooms because the movers didn’t pay attention to the few labels you did have, perhaps you could use a bit of unpacking advice. Here are some tips for creating order out of box-laden chaos.

Unpack the obvious: Did you label your kitchen boxes? Start putting things in order there. Grab kitchen boxes from all over the house and bring them along, unpacking as you go. The nice thing about unpacking the kitchen is all the cabinets and drawers just waiting for your stuff. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect – you’ll probably move a few things around until you’re settled.

Get rid of empty boxes A.S.A.P.: Nothing defeats the purpose of unpacking quite as much as having empty boxes and loose packing materials hanging around the house. Break them down and toss in recycling, give them to someone you know who will be moving soon, or put them on the back patio for the moment. Just get them out of your way.

Tackle one box at a time: You’ll be tempted to jump from box to box just to find out what’s in them, but the only thing worse than a lot of boxes around are a lot of open boxes around. Empty one box; get rid of it, and then move on to the next. When you have to stop, all the other boxes are still sealed.

Set unpacking priorities: Is it impossible to sleep with all those boxes in the bedroom? Start there. Are you tired of walking around those boxes by the garage door every time you leave the house? Move them or empty them. You can’t finish all the unpacking at once, so start with the most irritating areas.

Above all, realize your limitations. It would be nice to be completely unpacked over a weekend, but remember that it took you a lot longer than a couple of days to pack everything, so give yourself a break. Set realistic goals, and then when you reach them take the time to relax and enjoy the areas of your lovely new home that are unpacked and settled. After all, you always have tomorrow.

Selling your Old House – Fixes

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18572838_MWhen you’re ready to sell your current home and buy a new Fulton Homes property, take the time to analyze what fixes are worth doing and what to leave for the next owner.

Your realtor can tell you the best ways to spend money to make your home more inviting to homebuyers. Here are some of the basic steps when deciding on fix-ups.

Make a realistic assessment: After years of living in your house, you simply stop seeing things that need to be fixed. Walk around your home with a notepad and write down any easy fixes. Things such as leaky faucets, damage to the drywall or faded paint tells potential homebuyers that the house might not have been well maintained. If you have the skills, fix these things yourself. If not, hire a handyman and hand him or her the list of repairs. By having them done all at once, you will save money and efficiently have everything working properly.

Update your home’s look: Are your light fixtures dated? Would a new countertop or backsplash spark up your kitchen? Even getting new bedspreads on the beds can make a home feel fresh and inviting. Take a close look at your home. You might want to hire a decorator to come in for a few hours and give you some advice.

Let some things go: You won’t get your money back for some fixes and updates. Don’t get carried away with the renovations. If your home needs quite a bit of work, talk to your realtor about selling it “as is.” You may make less money on the sale, but you will have to invest less in fixing it up.

When you sell a house, you always have to balance investing in it with your potential return. Talk to several realtors to get the best advice on what’s worth fixing and what you shouldn’t worry about.

 

Moving Into a New Neighborhood – Discovery

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12197961_SWhen you move into your new Fulton home, plan on spending some time unpacking and organizing. You probably won’t feel settled until some rooms such as your kitchen and bedroom are fully set up the way you want them.

But you can start settling into your new neighborhood even before the movers arrive. With the move, you may need to shop at new grocery stores, find a new dry cleaner and gas station, and spend time getting to know your new neighborhood. You can make the transition easier for you and your family if you do a little exploring before the move. Here are a few suggestions.

Drive around: Either with your family or by yourself, take an afternoon or evening to drive around your new neighborhood. Look for convenient shopping areas. Take note of neighborhood restaurants that you might enjoy.

Stop to eat: Bring your family to eat at a local restaurant or café that looks interesting. You may even want to try a couple of places over a week or so. This may start creating the feeling that you are already part of your new community.

Visit local community places: If you are a churchgoer, you may want to consider a church near your new home. If not, look for a park with a playground or a community center. Visiting places such as these can allow you to meet some of your future neighbors and start feeling more at home.

Whatever you value in your current neighborhood, you will be able to find something like it in your new place. Take the time to explore and discover, and you can feel connected even before your home is finished.