SAVE MONEY ON YOUR MOVE

Moving can be tough on a tight budget – but not impossible. If you’re wondering how you’re going to get through your next move without spending a fortune, here are some of our favorite ideas.

Save money on packing

Did you start packing yet? It always seems to surprise people when they begin packing up all their belongings that they have so much more than they thought. How much stuff you move can have a significant effect on what it costs to move it since most moving companies charge by weight, so unloading unwanted items before you move is key. As you pack, decide what you no longer need and donate it before you go.

Save money on supplies

Boxes can be expensive. But why buy them when you can get them for free?  Many businesses will gladly unload their empty boxes if you ask them — produce boxes, liquor boxes and copy paper boxes are especially good for your move. Also, check the free section on Craigslist; many people who just moved will post their empty boxes.

Another way to save on supplies? Use some of the items you are going to pack anyway to cushion other items, instead of buying packing peanuts. Clothes and towels are great for protecting dishes, and blankets are perfect for making sure framed art and mirrors don’t get scratched. As your moving date approaches, save newspapers and circulars that come in the mail – they’re great for protecting anything fragile.

Save money on labor

Some moving companies give discounted rates if you pack your own boxes – call around and get estimates from several different movers. Do you have some friends or family who owe you a favor? Round them up on moving day to help load the truck. If you have some flexibility with your moving date, you can save by scheduling your move during off-peak times. Shoot for the months between September and May, when rates tends to be the lowest, or during the week or the middle of the month.

Save money with the post office

Books are heavy, making them one of the most expensive things to move. If you’ve got a library to rival that of the Library of Congress, consider boxing up your books and shipping them through the US post office via Media Mail. They’ll take a little longer to arrive, but you won’t need those hardcover copies of Harry Potter while you’re unpacking in your new place.

Save money on your taxes

Did you know that you might be able to deduct your moving expenses on your taxes? While the IRS has strict rules about who qualifies, be sure to save all your moving receipts and ask your tax accountant next tax season. If you’re moving for work, your employer may also be willing to cover some if not all of your moving costs.

While moving can be a daunting and expensive task, there are certainly ways that you can save if you get creative and stay organized. With the money you’ll save, you can splurge on massages for the whole family after you’ve unloaded and unpacked all those boxes.

HOME BUYER PET PEEVES

Selling your home can be a stressful and challenging process. Why would you want to make it doubly so by irritating potential buyers? Here’s what you want to avoid when putting your home on the market.

NOT BEING PREPARED

In today’s housing market, if you want your home to show well you need to be prepared. You will be competing against sellers who have hired professional staging companies to make their homes look as good as possible, so you’re doing yourself a disservice if potential buyers walk into your home and feel like they’re invading your personal space. Before opening up your home for showings, you need to thoroughly clean, remove clutter and relocate personal items. Remember – you want buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your home. Make their job easier by neutralizing spaces, getting rid of old or worn-out furniture and packing up all your personal belongings like family pictures and sports team memorabilia.

NOT HAVING THE HOME AVAILABLE

While it can certainly be an inconvenience, you need to accommodate buyers when they request a showing. This means being ready to leave at a moment’s notice, as potential buyers will likely not feel comfortable looking at a home if the seller is present. If you make it difficult for anyone to view your home, it can hurt you down the line during negotiations. Be amiable and understand you’ll be inconvenienced from time to time during the showing process.

NOT BEING REALISTIC ABOUT THE SELLING PRICE

If you haven’t done your homework and you overprice your home, you’ll likely extend the time your house is on the market by many months. You can be sure that buyers have done their homework and are aware of what comparable prices are in your neighborhood. If your home falls outside of this range, it is quite likely many potential buyers will simply overlook your home. Working with a knowledgeable agent will help ensure that your home is priced appropriately from the start.

NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT ISSUES

If you know your home has problems, it is best to be upfront about them. Whether it’s a funky smell or issues with the roof, trying to mask problems during the selling process is only going to hurt you in the end. These issues will eventually come out during the home inspection and could delay or endanger the sale and even possibly involve you in a legal battle. When it comes to any repairs that will need to be made to the home, honesty is the best policy.

NOT BEING EMOTIONALLY DETACHED

Yes, you have an emotional attachment to your home – that’s normal. But when it comes time to sell, you need to set those emotions to the side. Potential buyers may have different ideas about what they like – or don’t – about your home, and you can’t take it personally should they suggest doing away with something about the house that you love. Maintain a healthy emotional distance and let your agent handle any interactions that may be tough for you.

HELP YOUR KIDS SETTLE INTO A NEW SCHOOL

Moving into a new home can be a very exciting experience. But if you have kids and you’re moving more than a few neighborhoods away, chances are they’ll be going to a different school. This means learning new routines, getting to know new teachers and, most importantly, making new friends.

Changing schools can be a difficult transition for some kids to make, especially as they head into their teen years. Here’s what you need to know to help make that switch as easy as possible for them.

Involve your child

Before you move, involve your child in the process as much as you can. Let them have a say in where they would like to live and what school they would like to attend. Be enthusiastic about the move and talk with them about all the positive things that can happen as a result. Listen to your child’s worries and discuss them.

Tour the school

If possible, arrange for you and your child to have a tour of the new school before classes start. First days are always tough; first days where you are totally unfamiliar with your new surroundings are even tougher. Walk through their schedule with them, make sure they know where their locker and bathrooms are, and let them ask any questions they have.

Find opportunities to meet people

Once you’ve moved in, look for opportunities to meet your new neighbors, especially if any of them have children that are around the same age. Knowing a familiar face or two in a sea of strangers will help calm your child’s nerves on the first day. If you move over the summer or a school holiday, see if there are any classes, workshops or organizations your child can join to help make some friends before they start at their new school. Once school starts, encourage your child to sign up for after school activities and clubs. It’s easier for some kids to make friends in smaller groups than it is in a large classroom of 30 or more.

Establish a routine

Most kids feel more stable if they have a routine they can count on. Take the same route to school every day and stick to a schedule at home. The sudden upheaval of moving can be disorienting, so try to establish a new routine as quickly as possible.

Have patience

It could take a few weeks for your child to feel comfortable in their new school, and their grades could drop while they’re settling in. Don’t fret too much about it. If the problem persists after more than a couple of months, seek advice from teachers and the school counselor.

While helping your child settle into a new school can be stressful, it’s important to maintain perspective and be encouraging. Your child will most likely follow your lead, so if you remain positive and look for the good in each situation, your child will eventually follow suit. Play dates and sleepovers with your child’s new friends will be just around the corner!

HAPPY NEIGHBORHOOD, HAPPY HOME

Having a good relationship with your neighbors can have a big impact on how happy you are in your home. If you get along and have an easy rapport, it can truly add to your good feelings. On the other hand, if your interactions with neighbors are tense or negative, it can make you uneasy and unable to truly relax.

Part of having a good relationship with your neighbors is being a good neighbor. Here are some ideas to help you build a feeling of community in your neighborhood.

GET OUTSIDE

It’s hard to know your neighbors if you never step outside the front door. Say hello to people walking by when you collect the mail. Do a little gardening in the front yard or spend some time sitting on the front porch. Go for regular walks in your neighborhood. You’ll be surprised at how friendly people can be, and it’s a great way to get to know the people living in your neighborhood.

WELCOME NEWCOMERS

Being the new guy can be tough. Make the transition a little easier for new neighbors by taking the initiative and introducing yourself. Bring them a little gift like some cookies, a plant or a favorite goodie from a neighborhood store.

BE AWARE OF YOUR BEHAVIOR

Nobody wants to move next door to someone who throws loud parties, plays their TV at an obnoxious level, or blares music late into the night. Don’t be the one who does it. Keep noise levels low before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. – this goes for music, outside conversation, pool filters, lawn mowers and leaf blowers. If you’re throwing a party or planning some renovations, do your neighbors a favor and let them know about it in advance.

KEEP PETS IN CHECK

How people deal with their pets can be a real bone of contention for some. Bring barking dogs inside, keep dogs on a leash and always clean up after your dog when out on a walk. If you have more unusual pets, like chickens, let neighbors know about them and share some fresh eggs now and then. Let neighbors know they can come by if your pets are causing a problem, and be kind if you are approaching a neighbor about their pet.

DEAL WITH PROBLEMS IN PERSON

Do you like getting passive aggressive notes on your car’s windshield? No? Your neighbor probably doesn’t like getting them either. Instead of solving problems, handling an issue this way usually causes more. If you are having a problem with a neighbor, address it directly with them. It may make you feel uncomfortable or awkward, but it gives both parties a chance to be heard.

RESPECT COMMON SPACES

If you live in a condo or apartment, be aware of shared walls and keep common spaces like hallways and lobbies clear of personal items. If street parking is normal in your neighborhood, try to only park in front of your own house and don’t block a neighbor’s driveway.

By extending a little courtesy and friendliness, you can turn neighbors who were once strangers into friends. Living in a neighborhood where everyone is looking out for each other contributes greatly to your overall happiness, so it’s a good investment of your time and energy to nurture those relationships.

HOW TO LOVE THE HOME YOU LIVE IN

We get it – there are days where you just don’t love the home you live in. Worse, there may be days where you don’t eve like it. Maybe you think it’s too small, or it doesn’t look like the homes in fancy magazines.

But we have a secret – you don’t have to have a perfect home to love the one you live in. If you’re looking for ways to find a new appreciation for the place where you hang your hat, read on.

KEEP IT TIDY

It doesn’t matter how awesome your house is – if it’s a mess, it’ll make anybody feel blue. That goes double for a house you’re struggling to love. One of the first things you can do to warm up to your home is to keep it tidy. Eliminate clutter that has been piling up, donate unused items to charity, and give every room a thorough cleaning. It’s kind of amazing how good a clean house can make you feel.

STOP COMPARING

Yes, your cousin’s 3,500 square foot house in the country is amazing. And it can be tempting to see everything that she has that you don’t. But the key to happiness in any situation in life is to stop comparing what you have to what others have. Besides, think about how much more time your cousin has to spend cleaning such a large home! Less time cleaning equals more time for the fun things in life.

FIND NEW USES FOR OLD THINGS

Maybe your house is giving you a serious case of the blahs. You’ve been looking at the same art on the walls for ages. You haven’t moved the furniture since you moved in five years ago. Now is the time for a change. But, instead of going shopping for new items, take a little “shopping” trip through your own home. When items live in the same place forever, they begin to blend into the background. Switch things up and move art, furniture, pillows and more from one room to another. It can really spice up the energy in your house and remind you of belongings you cherish that you had forgotten about.

CONSIDER THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sometimes you need to remind yourself why you chose your home in the first place. Is it close to work, giving you a wonderfully short commute? Is the backyard huge, with lots of space for the kids to play? Do you live within walking distance of your best friend? Is there a park or a café nearby that you love? Do you have really great neighbors? There are many reasons beyond the physical structure that can make your home a great place to live. Remember those things when you start to feel negative.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

It’s true in life and it’s true when looking for ways to appreciate your home – practice gratitude. We have so many conveniences and beautiful things in our home that we take for granted, like that cozy quilt you inherited from grandma or the antique chest of drawers from your father’s aunt. Take time to express gratitude for the things you have. You’ll soon find that you’re falling in love with your home all over again.

DEALING WITH EASEMENTS

Are you considering purchasing a home that has an easement, but you’re not sure how it will affect you? Are you worried that it’s something that could cause you problems down the line? Are you confused about what an easement even is? Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT IS AN EASEMENT?

An easement is the legal right to use someone else’s land for a specific purpose. You may see the term from time to time in listings as you search for homes. Before purchasing a home it’s essential to know about any existing easements on the property and how they may affect your usage of it. Easements can be granted to entities like utility companies or even to individuals such as your neighbors.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS AN EASEMENT?

Easements are usually filed with the local assessor’s office. If you do a title search for the property, the easement will show up as well. You can hire a title insurance company or a private title searcher to do this for you, or you can review the deed to the property yourself, which you can obtain from the county clerk or recorder. You can also contact the county or city’s zoning department; they will have surveys and plot maps that detail the easement. The local utility company or other entity with easement rights will also have information regarding the easement.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF EASEMENTS?

While there many different types of easements, here is a brief overview of the types of easements you may encounter in your home search.

* Right of way – This type of easement allows people to pass through your property, typically to a play area, park or lake. Sometimes, this can include a neighbor’s driveway if it is necessary to cross through your property in order to reach another.

* Utility easements – These easements are generally the most common and are granted to utility companies or the city. They often don’t impact your day-to-day living, and are in place simply to prevent your interference with their use.

WHAT IF THERE IS A DISPUTE OVER AN EASEMENT?

As a property owner, you may not interfere with the use of a legal easement. If you do, you could be held accountable for damages or even be taken to court. If you find that you are involved in a dispute regarding an easement, you should seek the advice of an experienced local real estate lawyer. Laws vary from location to location, so it’s essential to find out the appropriate details that are applied to your specific situation. While most legal easements are written documents, there are cases where unwritten easements can legally be created through particular circumstances, and the laws can be complex. You’ll definitely want reliable advice from someone knowledgeable that you can trust.

While easements may be a little complicated or cause confusion, they are a normal part of many real estate transactions. The most important thing you can do should you decide to purchase a property with an existing easement is to understand what it entails and abide by those determinations.

DON’T FOLLOW THIS HOME SELLING ADVICE

Now that you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home, you’re probably getting all kinds of advice from friends and family about how to do it. While they often have good intentions, some of the suggestions they provide can be downright harmful to you. Here’s the advice that we recommend you skip.

Wait until the market is better

There are so many factors that play into the fluctuations of the housing market, it’s often impossible to predict how your local market will be impacted in a few weeks or months. If you need or want to sell your home, there’s no time like the present.

You don’t need professional photos

Unless you are a professional photographer, you should not be relying on the photos you take to sell your listing. Yes, the cameras on our smartphones are amazing – but there’s a lot more to taking a great real estate photo than slapping a cool Instagram filter over it. Most people decide whether or not they want to see a property in person based on the photos in the listing. Do yourself a favor and make sure the photos do your home justice.

Don’t sell your home in the winter or fall

While conventional wisdom dictates that the best time to sell your home is in the spring or summer, that doesn’t mean those are the only times to sell. Yes, buyers with school age children are more likely to move when school is out of session. But what about the empty nesters? Or the couples without children? Or the single people looking to buy their first place? They are less likely to be limited with their window of opportunity. The reality is there will always be people who are shopping for a home.

Price your home high

We’re not sure of the logic of this, but some people might believe that pricing a home high gives buyers room to negotiate. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to selling your home. If you price your home too high, many potential buyers will not even look at your home. Your property will languish on the market, and you will eventually have to reduce the price – which can make you look desperate. Price your home appropriately from the beginning.

Don’t make repairs – let the buyer do it

If there are repairs that need to be made, you’re better off making them before you list. Potential buyers will see the problems when they view your home, and they’re more likely to offer you less than your asking price. You’ll lose money in the end if you don’t attend to those repairs first.

You don’t need an agent

Maybe you believe your market is so hot right now that you don’t need an agent to sell your home. But there’s so much more to selling a house than finding a buyer. There are legal processes and documents that need to be addressed. Selling a home is a complicated process, and a professional real estate agent can help you navigate through the confusion and stress.

HOW TO DECORATE WITH THRIFT STORE FINDS

Whether it’s the thrill of the hunt or the satisfaction of scoring a real bargain, thrift stores can be the most exciting places to find interesting and one-of-a-kind décor for your home. There are some tricks, though, to finding those treasures at your local Goodwill or church resale shop. Here are our best tips for transforming your home with ordinary thrift store items.

HAVE FUN EXPLORING

When you visit a thrift store, it’s best not to be looking for a very specific item – like an orange mid-century sofa, for example. Chances are you’ll be disappointed. Instead, think of it like a treasure hunt. Explore what they have to offer and use your imagination to discover new uses for old items.

START SMALL

If you’re new to the thrift store game, start small and build up from there. While you may have a huge project in mind involving a dresser and chalkboard paint, try experimenting first on smaller pieces – like an old frame that can be transformed into a shabby chic chalkboard for your kitchen.

VISIT OFTEN

You really never know what you’re going to find on each trip, and merchandise changes every day at most stores. If you go often, you’re more likely to find interesting items that you just can’t live without.

BEWARE OF HOARDING

On the flip side of visiting the stores often, you do want to beware of crossing the line from collector to hoarder. It can be easy to imagine transforming an object into a work of art, but if it’s more likely to sit in your garage for the next five years unfinished, then skip it.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION

Many of the items have landed in the thrift store because their former owners deemed them ugly or outdated. So it pays to have a little imagination when you walk in the doors. Yes, that owl figurine looks like it just flew in from 1977, but with a coat of white paint, it’ll look like you just swooped it off the shelf from Anthropologie – and at a much better price.

ITEMS TO LOOK FOR

It can be overwhelming to step inside some thrift stores because there’s just so much stuff! But there are certain items that are the best deals. Keep your eye out for:

* Trunks and old suitcases – great for storage or for stacking as a side table.
* Lamps – can easily be painted or given a new shade for a fraction of what you’d spend at a retail store.
* Artwork and frames – great for making a gallery wall, especially if you spray paint all the frames the same color.* Dishes – if you like a rustic, mismatched look then the thrift store is a great place to pick up really interesting dishes.* Furniture with good bones – maybe those dining chairs have outdated upholstery or that desk is a hideous color, but those are cosmetic issues that can be changed. Look for sturdy construction that stands the test of time.

UNDERSTANDING THE STAGES OF REMODELING

Are you thinking about buying a fixer-upper? Or maybe you’re finally ready to move forward with a home remodeling project? Whatever your plans, it’s good to know what to expect before you begin.

Home remodeling projects can be complex and sometimes its seems the end is never in sight. But if you go into the process armed with knowledge, it will be much less stressful for you and your family. Here are the major stages you can expect to move through on your way to a completed project.

STAGE 1 –PLANNING

The key to a successful remodeling project is to stay organized. This means having a firm plan in place before you begin. Planning includes:

Design – Make decisions before you begin about what your project is going to be and what the details of the design are. If you are hiring professionals, they will provide architectural plans. If you are completing the project by yourself, you should at least try to sketch out your ideas onto paper so that everyone involved is on the same page before you begin.

Budget – Before you begin tearing down walls, decide what your budget for the project will be, and how you will stay within that budget. Be sure to include all the appropriate costs, such as new appliances and construction materials, and even new paint or wallpaper.

Prepare – If you’re hiring professionals, research and interview contractors. Apply for and secure any permits that are needed to complete the renovation.

STAGE 2 – DEMOLITION

Once your preparations are complete, it’s time to move on to the next phase – demolition. During this stage, you or your contractors will be ripping out anything that needs to be removed and replaced. This can include walls, ceilings, cabinets, windows and floors. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can save some money. If not, leave it to the pros – especially if any areas being demolished contain asbestos or lead-based paint.

STAGE 3 – CONSTRUCTION

Depending on how large your project is, you may need to temporarily relocate during this phase of the remodel, especially if you’ll be without water or electricity for any length of time. Some of the work that is completed during this stage can include:

* Creating framing for new walls
* Adding beams to support new weight
* Putting in new doors or windows
* Installing electrical, plumbing and HVAC
* Adding insulation and hanging drywall
* Installing new flooring
* Adding finish work such as paint, wallpaper and other finishes
* Adding new exterior siding and gutters

STAGE 4 – CLEANING UP

Once construction is complete, you may think you’re finished. But wait! There’s one more important step before you’re done and that’s cleaning up. You can expect the contractors you hire to do some basic cleaning, but to make your home truly livable and beautiful again, you’ll need to get in there and really clean. This includes removing all the dust and debris that has accumulated.

Once your cleaning is complete, it’s time to move back in. This is the fun part, where the renovations you’ve been dreaming about are finally a reality. Enjoy unpacking and moving into your freshly remodeled space!

SPOTTING A SERIOUS HOME BUYER

One of the frustrations you may encounter when selling your home is dealing with people who may not be serious about buying. Perhaps they’re just testing the waters of the market or daydreaming about one day owning a home when they walk into your open house. You can save yourself a lot of annoyance by learning how to spot the serious buyers.

THEY’RE PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE

The one thing all serious buyers know is that they need to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking for a home in earnest. That preapproval from a lender is a signal to sellers that says they’re ready – and able – to move forward with an offer. They’ve taken the time to be vetted by a lender and they’re financially capable of purchasing a home. Any potential buyers who have not yet been preapproved for a mortgage should move behind those on your list who have.

THEY’RE LOOKING AT HOMES THAT MATCH THEIR WISH LIST

Perhaps a potential buyer comes along that is looking for a home in a certain price range and yours fits the bill. But you learn that they are really hoping for a home in a suburban community that is close to amenities, while your home is a rural property on the outskirts of town. If your home doesn’t hit the marks on a buyer’s wish list, it’s likely they aren’t serious about it.

THEY’RE MORE LIKELY TO BE JUDGMENTAL

Buyers who aren’t too serious about putting in an offer on your home are more likely to be polite and friendly when taking a tour. But those who are a little more reserved or point out various flaws? It’s more likely they’re the ones who are actually thinking seriously about your home. Don’t let their poker faces throw you off. Most buyers know or have been coached by their agent to refrain from displaying an emotional response to your home.

THEY RETURN FOR A SECOND OR THIRD LOOK

Those buyers who come back for a second or even a third look at your home? Those are the people who are the most interested and probably the most likely to put in an offer. Those who are just browsing will not take the time to come back for another look.

THEY MAKE POSSESSIVE COMMENTS

Seasoned real estate agents are attuned to what potential buyers are saying about your home, and there are certain types of comments that can provide clues that a buyer is serious. If they make remarks about how a piece of their furniture will fit in a room or how nice one of their rugs will look in the living room, they are already envisioning themselves living in the space.

THEY’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR AWHILE

Buyers that are at the beginning of the process looking at their first homes probably aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and put in an offer without looking at other homes first for comparison. The further the buyer is into the process, the more likely they are serious. This is especially true if they are up against any deadlines, like the beginning of a new job or the start of the school year.

Selling your home can be an emotional and complex process, but learning to spot serious buyers can save you time and heartache in the end.

DOWNSIZING? HERE’S HOW

Whether it’s because your kids have left for college or you’re preparing for retirement, many homeowners choose to downsize at some point in their lives. Making the move from a large home to a smaller one can be both liberating and challenging. If you’re getting ready to downsize, here’s what you should know to make the process as easy as possible.

The benefits of downsizing

If you’re having trouble coming to terms with the idea of having a smaller footprint, it can be beneficial to remind yourself of why you’re downsizing in the first place. Do you have a room or rooms in your current home you never use? Are you looking for a way to lower your monthly expenditures? Do you want to live in a home where outside maintenance is taken care of for you? Downsizing can provide solutions to all these issues and allow you to make choices that fit the lifestyle you have now, not the one you had when you first moved in.

Determine your needs

OK, so you’ve decided it’s time to downsize. Now what? The first step you should take is to decide what you’re looking for in a new place. How many bedrooms do you really need? Would you like a home with no stairs? Are you hoping to be within walking distance of amenities, like shopping, the gym or restaurants? Take time to determine exactly what your needs are before you begin your search.

Assess your new space

Once you’ve zeroed in on your new home, measure each room and note how much storage is available. Be honest about how much space you actually have. There’s no sense in downsizing if you plan to keep all your possessions, so you’ll want to be clear on how much you’ll need to let go of so that you have enough room in your new space.

Decide what to keep

Here comes the hard part – deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. A good way to tackle this issue is to think about what you’d want to replace if you were to lose everything. Do you have exercise equipment gathering dust? Are you holding on to your kid’s items that they’ll never retrieve? Consider letting go of any items you haven’t used in the last year. If you’re in doubt, rent a storage unit for six months and store the items you’re uncertain about. Whatever items remain after that time elapses, you can let go of.

Sell or donate the rest

Once you’ve eliminated the items you don’t intend to take with you to the new house, you can sell or donate them. There are several ways to sell your belongings, from hosting a garage sale to posting items online on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or eBay. For items you can’t or don’t want to sell, you can donate them to friends and family, or give them to charities such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Many organizations will even pick up your items for you if you arrange it with them in advance.

Organize as you move in

As you move into your new home, take time to organize as you go. That way, once you’re moved in, you can spend time on all those activities you only dreamed about when you lived in a larger home.

Although downsizing can be challenging, when you approach it with a healthy attitude it can be a truly exciting experience. Follow the guidelines above to make sure your move into a smaller space is just another turn in the road on the adventure of your life.

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU SELL YOUR HOME

Just because you’ve closed escrow and have given the keys to the house to their new owner doesn’t mean you’re done just yet. While the hard part is over, there are still a few tasks you should complete before calling it a done deal.

CLEAN UP

It should go without saying, but once you’ve moved your possessions out of your home, you should thoroughly clean it. Though it isn’t necessarily required, it is a nice courtesy to extend to the buyer of your home. Nobody likes moving into a dirty house, or wants to waste time getting settled in by having to give the entire home a thorough cleaning.

ORGANIZE AND STORE SALE DOCUMENTS

Selling a home can produce a mountain of paperwork, and it may be tempting to toss all of it once the sale is complete. But don’t go shredding those documents too soon. You will want to keep a copy of all your records for the upcoming tax season, to show your expenses and any proceeds from the sale. You should also hang onto them in case you should ever get audited for that tax year.

KEEP RECORDS OF HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Not only should you keep all sales documents, but you should also keep records of any improvements you have made on your home. These are also needed for tax purposes. The IRS allows homeowners to improvements to your home’s cost during the time that you owned it.

CONTACT UTILITY COMPANIES

Another important task to complete when you’re selling your home is to contact the utility companies to have your service discontinued. You should arrange for the services to be disconnected on your closing date. Also arrange to have home delivery of your newspaper canceled, and the alarm service disconnected. Notify each company of your forwarding address so they know where to send the final bill.

CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

At this point, you should also complete a change of address form with the United States Postal Service. The form can be completed in person at a local branch or online. Although this blanket service will ensure that most of your mail gets forwarded to your new address, you should still notify credit card companies, banks and other places where you do business of your new information.

TERMINATE HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE

In addition to disconnecting utility services, you also need to contact your insurance agent to cancel your homeowner’s insurance policy. You should do this even if you’ve arranged for a new homeowner’s policy with the same agent. They will not automatically terminate your old policy for you, so you should be sure to complete that task yourself.

BE AWARE OF TAX LAWS

Finally, stay on top of tax laws when you’re preparing your taxes for the year in which you sold your home. Tax laws do change from year to year, and you want to be sure that you’re making the most of any deductions that could be coming your way from the sale of the house.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON CLOSING DAY

You searched for and found a house. You put in an offer that was accepted. You applied for a mortgage, got a home inspection and completed what seemed like a thousand other tasks, all in preparation for closing day.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be wondering just what happens on this all-important day besides signing some papers and getting the keys to your new house. So that you’ll feel relaxed and prepared, here’s what to expect on the day you finalize your home purchase.

WHEN DOES THE CLOSING TAKE PLACE?

Generally speaking, avoid closing on the last day of the month, as this doesn’t allow enough time to address any issues that may come up. If a problem arises and the closing is delayed until the beginning of the next month, you’ll face increased costs because of prepaid interest that accumulates. Ideally, a closing should take place sometime between the 20^th and the 25^th of the month. You should plan to take off for at least half a day to give yourself ample time to complete the closing process.

WHERE DOES THE CLOSING HAPPEN?

There are several places where the closing can take place. These include your lender’s office, the title company office, the listing or buying agent’s office, a real estate attorney’s office or another agreed-upon location. Make sure to get the exact address and allow plenty of time to arrive.

WHO ATTENDS THE CLOSING?

The people present at a closing will vary depending on where you live, but you can expect some or all of the following (including you, the buyer, of course):

* Both the listing and the buying agent
* The seller or the seller’s representative
* Representative from the title company
* Representative from the lender or mortgage company
* Attorneys for the buyer and seller
* Closing agent

The closing agent will be the one leading the proceedings and will have all the necessary paperwork that needs to be signed.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE SIGNED?

On closing day you will sign all the documents that transfer ownership to you as well as documents related to your mortgage. Many of these documents you will receive in advance so that you may review them before signing. Documents you’ll receive and sign on closing day may include:

* Tax forms
* Title forms
* Deed of trust
* Affidavits
* Promissory note
* Variety of disclosure forms

DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?

On closing day the buyer will be responsible for showing proof of homeowner’s insurance and inspections. You’ll also need to bring a certified or cashier’s check that covers all the closing costs (sometimes done as a wire transfer). You should also bring copies of all the documents you received throughout the buying process, including inspection reports and your copy of the contract. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your government-issued identification.

CAN ANYTHING GO WRONG?

There are a few issues that can possibly derail your closing. This would include not having enough money at closing, your financial situation drastically changing (such as opening a new line of credit), the lender pulling out or the seller not taking care of tax liens.

By knowing what to expect on closing day, you can help ensure that the meeting goes off without a hitch. If all goes well, at the end of the day you’ll finally have the keys to your new house in hand. Congratulations!

GREAT PETS FOR SMALL HOMES

Do you have dreams of bringing home a new best friend, but you think your place is just too small? Do you wish you could have a Saint Bernard, but know that he might not fit in your 500 square foot condo? Is your son begging you for a pet boa constrictor, but you’re just not sure you can sleep in your own house, knowing that snake is in the next room?

If you’ve been wishing for a pet to call your own, but afraid your home is too small, we’re here to put your fears to rest. These pets are perfect for those of you who are big on love but short on square footage.

Hermit Crabs

If you long to revisit your childhood days at the shore, why not get yourself a hermit crab? Sold as living reminders of your vacation from many a seaside souvenir shop, hermit crabs actually make great pets, as they’re quite social. They do require just the right environment and the appropriate diet, but are otherwise low maintenance. Treat them right, and they could become a lifelong companion, as evidenced by this 40-year-old hermit crab known as Jonathan Livingston Crab.

Fancy Rodents

Longing for something cute and furry? How about a fancy rodent like a hamster, guinea pig or rat? Before you curl your lips in revulsion at the thought of having a pet rat, they are highly intelligent and can be taught tricks, which could be really fun to demonstrate at your next party. If you live alone and tend to get a little lonely, guinea pigs are known to be talkative, with a large vocabulary of whines, squeaks and clicks. They make great conservation partners.

Pygmy Hedgehogs

If you’re looking to increase your followers on Instagram, then a photogenic pygmy hedgehog is just the ticket. Purchase a hedgehog from a reputable breeder and handle them regularly while they’re still young so they get used to it. They also don’t seem to mind being alone, which is a bonus.

Rabbits

Rabbits can make a great alternative to a cat or dog, if you want something fluffy to love. Rabbits are friendly and social and can be great companions to humans, with lifespans of up to 10 years. Rabbits do require far more care than some of the pets mentioned above, and aren’t a great match for families with young children. It’s also important to remember the time commitment – far too many rabbits end up in shelters after being given as gifts during Easter.

Birds

Small birds, such as parakeets, finches and cockatiels can make excellent, if noisy, pets with minimal needs outside of a cage, toys and human interaction. Large birds, like parrots and macaws, are undeniably fabulous, but require expert care. If you decide to adopt a feathered friend, it’s best to get a small one unless you are an experienced bird keeper.

So there you have it! If you’d like to welcome a pet into your life, but traditional pets like dogs or cats won’t work in your space, try one of the suggestions above. You never know what kind of creature may end up stealing your heart and working perfectly in your small home.