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Feeling stressed about packing, moving and the expenses involved? Have no fear, Apartment Guide is here with fun facts from a recent survey about moving etiquette.
Some things to consider are providing some type of refreshment for the movers and tipping the movers for the heavy lifting. What would you recommend?
More Moving Tips
7 Tips for Easy Moving
Top 5 Apps to Help You Move
What to Do Before Moving In (Infographic)
With some smart organizing, you can make an easy exit — and your next move will be a breeze!
Are you a frequent mover or anticipating a move in the near future? You can make the next move easier by preparing a strategy to pre-pack and organize stuff you want to take — and toss what you’d rather leave behind!
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With some smart organizing, you can make an easy exit — and your next move will be a breeze!
Here are 7 tips to keep you nimble.
Preparing for a move? These mobile apps can do the work for you.
There’s no doubt about it – moving can be a stressful, time-consuming process.
If you aren’t adequately prepared for it, you can end up dealing with a disorganized mess. Luckily, all the help you need is available right at your fingertips. From finding a place to live to decorating in your new apartment, let these five mobile apps do the heavy lifting for you to help keep all steps of the moving process organized and stress-free.
Apartment Guide Mobile
Why: Before you move, scroll through thousands of apartment listings near you, available either in list or interactive map views, using the GPS feature. See full property details, view photos and floor plans and select amenities to help you find the perfect place to live.
Best feature: Save apartments to your favorites list and call or email properties, all from your phone.
For: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Make your move from the familiar to the new more enjoyable with these tips!
Relocating can be a stressful time for a family, so make a point to plan a fun move for your brood. With the right attitude and energizing tools, you and the members of your family can actually enjoy the adventure of moving to a new home.
Read on for moving advice on how to keep the energy level up, even when spirits might be down.
Downsizing to an apartment? Don’t raise the white flag. Use our tips to stay sane.
Whether you’re leaving home to find your first apartment or just want to save some money, downsizing from a house to an apartment can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared.
You may find that you have many items that you no longer need or want in your new space, and it will help to do a little research before moving in. Does your new apartment allow pets? Will your unit come with a garage or storage space?
By finding the right information before hand and devising a game plan to deal with your accumulated belongings, you can stay sane while downsizing. Here’s how.
Search Smart
Ask lots of questions while searching for your new apartment and measure the size of bedrooms and living areas to see how much of your furniture will fit. Check for ample cabinet and closet space. It may be possible to store larger items like outdoor furniture or a grill on your porch, but some apartments have regulations on what can be stored or displayed on porches. If you will have a storage unit, consider how many of your larger or rarely used items could fit here. You’ll likely not need a lawnmower or leaf blower while living in an apartment, so think about how to sell or store these kinds of items.
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Now before you unpack the boxes, click on the infographic to check out our suggestions of things to do before getting settled into your new apartment.
And remember to inform these contacts of your new address.
Let all these people and places know your new address after your move.
You’re excited about your new apartment, so naturally you’re going to want to let everybody know your new address.
Here is a rundown of important contacts to notify about your move.
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The post office
The first organization you should update your contact information with is the post office. They will forward mail to your new apartment while you are in the process of changing your address with individual organizations and companies. (Update your address with the post office online here.)
Ensure you’re not hung out to dry on your move! Keep these common moving expenses in mind.
There are many items to remember as you create a budget for your move. Using this five-step guide, consider possible line items for your moving budget — and help ensure no important details fall through the cracks!
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Find funds for a move
No matter what budget template you use, start by calculating how much money you can spend on your move. Sure, you’ve got your monthly salary to consider, but you may have other sources of cash available, as well.
You might figure in funds from endeavors like these:
• Profits from the sale of a home
• Savings account funds
• Relocation allowance from your employer
• Money made on a garage sale
• The sale of spare possessions, such as electronics or furniture, through online classifieds
If you’re looking to pare down before a move, you could make money to add to your moving budget by selling items you were going to get rid of anyway. (And keep in mind that the fewer possessions you take, the cheaper the move!)
Total anticipated costs of leaving and moving
Once you know how much you can afford to spend on a move, focus on the expenses related specifically to moving out and moving in, considering:
• Cleaning and repairs
• Final utility bills
• Utility deposits and turn-on (application) fees for your new apartment
• Pet and security deposits
• Parking or amenity fees
• The cost of transportation (flights or gas), meals and lodging on the way to your new apartment
Many costs like these simply cannot be avoided when you move. Include them in your moving budget so you get a clear picture of what your move will actually cost.
Decide whether to go pro or DIY
With a good idea of how big your budget is and what costs you absolutely cannot avoid, it’s time to decide if you’ll have enough cash budgeted either to hire professional movers or, if you’d prefer, to rent a moving truck and do the work yourself.
Calculate storage and packing costs
If you’re hiring professional movers, the cost of packing supplies may be included in your move. If not, you’ll need to consider supplies as another expense in your moving budget. Don’t forget to think about dollies, furniture pads, plastic wrap and other essential packing materials like bubble wrap, newspaper, tape and markers.
Trying to move on the cheap? Consider trimming some of these costs by using recycled moving boxes. You may be able to pick up free boxes from a grocery store, for instance. Sites like UsedMovingBoxes.com also offer lower-cost alternatives to buying new supplies, as well.
If you’ll need to store your belongings for a few days or months in between moving from an old to a new apartment, don’t forget to calculate the expense of transporting your belongings to a facility and paying a deposit plus monthly storage unit rental fees.
Account for your first month of living expenses at your new place
One last step in planning a thorough moving budget involves thinking ahead about your first month of expenses at your new apartment. If you’re using funds from your regular salary to pay for the move, it may be a few weeks before you get paid again. You want to be sure you’re covered during that time.
Consider the costs of rent, transportation, cleaning supplies and even food — all the basics you need to survive. Taking a moment to think ahead can help you avoid a cash flow emergency later.
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What housewarming practices make you feel at home? Here are a few to consider.
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People all over the world believe that rituals of transition can help you settle into a new living space. What housewarming rituals do you practice when you move? If you haven’t decided on any yet, here are a few you might consider.
Start fresh
Cleaning and decluttering is an efficient ritual that can make it easier and more pleasant to move in. Block out some time to scour the place and clean the nooks and crannies. Some moving rituals suggest buying new home items like shower curtains, drawer liners and houseplants. Others recommend spraying scented room sprays throughout the house and opening all the windows. One tradition claims that sweeping clockwise through a room will freshen up the energy. (At the very least, the floors will be clean!) Do whatever it takes to get your new life off to a clean and uncluttered start.
Banish bad vibes
Some say that stale and negative energy can linger in a new home even after you’ve made it spic and span. If this strikes you the right way, a wise next step might be to rid your rooms of any bad vibes. One popular Native American tradition is to walk through the living space carrying a burning sage smudge stick. These are easy to find at herb and health food stores. If you can’t find a sage stick, you can leave a small bowl of sea salt in each room for 24 hours. The salt will catch any bad energy, and then you can dispose of both! A house blessing, such as a special prayer, can also make you feel safe in your new home. There are countless apartment cleansing rituals that will help you with the transition to a new space. Pick your favorite and give it a go.
Decorate your door
Once you’ve cleaned your new space and scattered any bad mojo, focus on the entrance to your home. It’s fun to prepare your front door for future guests, maybe even a housewarming party. Simple touches like hanging a wreath or placing a welcome mat are great housewarming rituals. Jewish tradition includes the practice of hanging a mezuzah in your doorway. This ornamental case holds a scroll of Hebrew inscriptions that bless your home. Many cultures have unique door decoration rituals that are believed to protect you in your new residence. You might choose the one that suits your style.
To some, rituals like these might seem quirky or even silly. When traditions make the moving transition easier or more meaningful, however, their value becomes clear. Make your home your own with any traditions that make sense to you.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Tomasz Trojanowski
Add a bold rug to personalize your furnished Richmond apartment.
Moving to a new place is stressful, and the entire process can be a hassle. Searching for the perfect apartment, hiring movers and then furnishing and decorating your space can be tedious. But fortunately for you, ApartmentGuide.com is there to make the process easier.
If you’re searching for apartments for rent in Richmond, consider narrowing your search by selecting furnished apartments. Searching for furnished apartments removes one step from the moving process: finding an apartment that will fit your furniture or finding furniture that will fit your apartment. Furnished apartments allow you to focus more on checking items off your moving checklist. They’re also great for potential residents looking for short-term leases in Richmond. But if you think having an apartment that comes furnished means not being able to make it your own, think again. Read on for our suggestions on making it your own, as well as additional items you may need.
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What Comes in a Furnished Apartment
What exactly comes with a furnished apartment? Each Richmond apartment community may offer different options, but ask the property managers for more details about what is included. These items typically come standard:
What You’ll Need to Bring
It is a furnished apartment, but you’ll still need to bring some essentials. These items include:
Making It Your Own
Though the furniture that comes standard is like everyone else’s, you can make it your own. Feel free to rearrange the furniture. Arrange the furniture in the living room around a focal point, and set up the bedroom furniture to optimize your space. Purchase a slipcover for the couch, and add accent pillows to match your décor style. Use a bold-colored rug under the coffee table to add a pop of color to the space. Add lamps to the end tables that will not only add extra light but can become a part of your décor.
For the dining room, add a table runner and/or place settings to add character to a rather boring table. Complete the look of your space by adding window treatments, if given the OK by your landlord. Add wall décor throughout your apartment. And finally, don’t neglect your bathroom; purchase a fun shower curtain to add appeal to the space.
With a few simple steps, your new Richmond apartment will feel like home.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/Pincasso
