Moving to a new place involves a lot of work and consideration.  Besides the move itself, with all its worries, possibly one of the most difficult challenges for new tenants is knowing the difference between normal wear and serious damage when asking for the security deposit back.  The line is fine when it comes to wear and damage, and you must be prepared to walk it without crossing it.

Security deposits are designed so that you work to get them back.  Here are some tips so that you learn what is normal and what is definitely not:

1.    Walls- some dirt and several pinpricks are normal, but huge holes, paint that is not the original color, and burns, will definitely be categorized as damage.  If necessary, paint and repair whatever needs it, so that you get your deposit back.

2.    Carpets- obviously, carpets and floors wear down with time due to aging, however, the landlord will not accept huge stains, burn marks or tears.  Research how to care for the carpets and floors so that you can maintain them in good condition for as long as you live there.

3.    Appliances- these must work properly, of course.  If a mechanical problem occurs, call the landlord immediately, or else, you will have an issue later.

4.    Keys- normally, these break with time, as well as locks.  What constitutes damage is due to misuse, loss, or removal of locks from the doors without proper permission and supervision.

5.    General condition- at apartment complexes, a cleaning crew will commonly clean the space before renting it, since managers know there will be some dirt.  Nevertheless, they don’t expect to find the place in a chaotic state, so you should clean before you move and hire a professional Seattle moving company that knows how to work in an organized way.  It will surely help you get your money back.

Once you are ready to move out, make sure you review the original condition report you filled out when you first leased the place, so that you can identify the trouble areas.  True, there is a fine line between normal wear and real damage; however, it is a lot about common sense.

If you are an organized, caring and clean person, you will most certainly not have any trouble getting your deposit money back.

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If you are thinking about moving to an apartment, you better have a digital camera handy.  It can really simplify your apartment search and move-in processes, by instantly capturing every crucial space and its condition.

Once you really get going, you will visit dozens of apartments, and it will be very hard to remember all of the details for each one of them, unless you have an out-of-this-world memory.  Through the pictures, us mere mortals will have no way of forgetting about the interesting or not so practical details regarding the design, style and colors.  These are research photos that will be very useful when making a final decision.

The pictures will help you move in too, as they will help you buy appliances and furniture that will truly fit and enhance the space.

Once you have chosen the perfect place, and before you call the movers in Seattle to help you, take a walk through the apartment and take photos to record its condition.  This will be very useful once you decide to move out, because you will only get your security deposit back if the apartment is in the exact same state.  Take pictures of problem areas, like stained carpets, so that you have a way to prove that it was not you who damaged it.  Make sure you talk to the landlord about any concern or damages you see before you move in.

When moving to a new apartment it is fundamental that you get rental insurance and be prepared in case of a burglary.  For this, you must take pictures of your belongings and the electronics’ serial numbers, and save the receipts for expensive appliances like TV’s, furniture, computers, china, and stereos, so that you can file an insurance claim with enough proof in hand.

And since they say that thinking ahead is thinking wise, when the time comes to leave the place, do not forget to take pictures of the condition you are leaving the apartment in.  The same as before you moved in, clear the space and take some ‘after’ pictures as a back up, just in case you have trouble when getting your deposit back.

The set of pictures you take must last several years in good condition, at least while you are living at the place, thus, file them in a safe place where you can find them easily, and also store them online as a back up.  And of course, make sure you take good care of your digital camera!

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So, you just moved to your new gorgeous home, and of course you want everything to look and be perfect.  This is a great way to start your new life, organizing everything so that your home, and your life along with it, doesn’t become a complete mess.

Organization is a science that demands discipline, and nothing shows how disciplined you are more than your closets.  Closets are where everyone dumps what is not used and wants to be forgotten.  Tell us… are your closets organized 365 days a year?  How about 182 days?  How about 91 days? How about a month a year?

Yes, we know how difficult it is, however, if you want to honor your new life and start it with the right foot and right attitude, you have to learn a method to keep your closets organized and user-friendly.  If you achieve this, you can be sure the rest of your house will be everyone’s envy and your biggest pride.

And without further ado, let’s show you this magic method:

1.    Assign a purpose for every closet
Before unpacking a single piece of clothing, think if the closet will be for storing linens and towels, coats and boots, or your everyday wardrobe.  Check it to see if it has all the rods, racks, and shelves you need to give it the best use.

2.    Prepare the closet to work for you
Get wire shelving or wheeled storage bins for items that need to breathe.  Consider the options that could help you get organized and uncluttered:

-    Shelving.  There are many permanent and portable units available.  Just make sure they fit your needs before buying.

-    Rods and bars.  You could add a second bar below the main one to add hanging space.  Take precise measures to make sure that what you buy will fit.

-    Storage containers.  These come in many sizes, shapes and materials.  The see-through type is very practical to store underwear, sweaters, accessories and sports gear.

-    Shoe racks.  Everyone knows women love shoes.  Shoe racks are great at holding lots of shoes out of sight, be it behind the closet door or on the floor, without having to swim through hundreds of boxes to find the ones you would like to wear that day.

-    Closet organizer system.  It offers many extra features, so make sure you know exactly what you need before going out to buy one.  These systems range from inexpensive to very sophisticated ones, so you have an ample variety to choose from.

-    Wire or wicker baskets.  You should go for baskets with a labeling system so that you can identify the content.  Wire baskets let clothes breathe, and wicker ones offer a neat look.  In order to give your closets a visually clean look, use the same kind of material in all of them.

-    Hangers and hooks.  Stay away from wire hangers!  These damage your clothes and they look horrible.  Invest in wooden hangers that look very nice, get some rubber ones that prevent slipping for delicate pieces, and look for special hangers for suits.  Hooks are great for belts, neckties and scarves.  A great tip: install a hook behind a closet door to hang the clothes for the next day, it will save you around 20 minutes in the morning.

3.    Unpack
Take this opportunity to sort out your clothes based on what you use, how often you use it, or even if you will use it again.  Next, if necessary, separate clothes by season, and within each season, sort by professional, leisure, at home, sports, etc.  You can even sort by colors and type of clothing, for example, shirts, pants, blazers, etc.  If you do this, you will never have to suffer again while getting dressed!

Being organized in every area of your life will come in very handy when moving.  It can really help your local mover in Seattle do a better job at helping you get your valuables safely and efficiently to your new place, and it will truly make you enjoy the process of moving!

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Not feeling that homey feeling yet because your new place is loaded with boxes and empty walls?  Do not despair!  There is a way to get there easily: you just have to unpack! (Ughhh…)

When seeing a lot of boxes piled up and a mess everywhere, most people’s first reaction is to open all the boxes and get everything out and in place just to get the work done and start enjoying their new home ASAP.  However, there are two things you must consider before rushing into unpacking and in order to keep your sanity and everyone else’s:

-    It is not necessary to unpack everything in a day.
-    Unpacking can be a lot of fun if you see it as the end of a great adventure.

In order to start unpacking in an intelligent and fun way, think of your family’s basic needs, which are eating, bathing, and resting, and get to the task following that order and centering on one room at a time.  Aim to get those areas operational so that you can take care of the details later without a sense of urgency.

Of course, we are assuming when you packed, you labeled all the boxes and know exactly which ones belong to what room.  You did that, right?

1.    Unpacking the kitchen
Commonly, the kitchen is the heart of the home.  Once it is a little organized, everyone will start meeting there.  Do not rush to organize it perfectly immediately though, start with the most important things and leave items that you do not need on a daily basis in the boxes until you decide where to store them.

2.    Unpacking the bathrooms
After the kitchen is ready, move to the bathroom.  Unpack your toiletries and put them where they belong.  Very important! Make sure everything is working correctly in every bathroom and that they’re properly supplied with fresh towels.

3.    Unpacking the bedroom
Bedrooms don’t really need to be ready for the first night.  You can sleep with the mattresses on the floor and make it a fun first night.  Assemble the beds and organize heavy furniture together, but let the bedroom owner take care of the rest on his or her own.

4.    Unpacking the living room
Finally, center your efforts on the family room or living room.  Do not just start moving furniture around, it is much better to draw a plan of the room showing where you would like to put the furniture pieces based on how you want the space to look.  In this way, pieces that have to be assembled can be put together where they belong.  You will save lots of energy, muscle ache, scratches, and probably even broken items.

Leave the garage for last; nothing in there is urgent, so take the time to think of the best way to organize it and keep it clear before taking things out of the boxes.

Once the basic stuff is ready, take some time to enjoy your new home, and work on the details for a few hours every day.

Believe it, unpacking can be a great activity, even a relaxing and meditative one, if you just don’t obsess over it.

To make it even easier, request the help of your local movers in Seattle; nothing beats the help of a professional!

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When moving into a new office, it is very important that your business move as quickly and efficiently as possible.  When it comes to moving your office, whether it is from an existing office nearby, or moving into a new office out of state, every second wasted means your hard earned money going down the drain.  But moving your office is much more complicated than just moving it quickly. It involves detailed planning and professional movers, as well as money.  It is very important, when moving your office, that your business not suffer too much during this relocation period.  But if your company follows the right steps, hires the right moving company, and spends its money wisely, then your business is sure not to lose hours of work and productivity with a poorly planned move.

In any business relocation move, planning is the most crucial, and important, step.  It is important to remember, that while your business is relocating to a different office, or building, it is literally making no money in this process.  This is why it is vital that your relocation period take place as swiftly as possible, without cutting the necessary corners in a large office move like this.  This is why planning is so crucial to your moving endeavors.  And one way to do this is to hire a professional moving company that specializes in large office moves, so that the moving will run smoothly, and get you back up and running as soon as possible.

To help your move stay cost-effective, as well as moving swiftly, there are a number of services that you can use that you may not be aware of.  One of those is taking advantage of a business relocation service.  These services can provide packing materials, can sometimes help with the actual move, and even help to reassemble your office equipment and furniture, when you successfully move into your new office.  Now it is important to remember, that these services are not a replacement to a professional moving company, but can be a helpful addition to your moving team.

Another important planning step your company should take is to get very familiar with the new office you’re planning on moving into.  Try to visit the office as many times as you can, to get a feel for where you plan on placing furniture, and what kind of plan you have for the new office in general.  It is important to obtain measurements, understand the location of outlets, special wiring, as well as Internet hookups.  Another important planning step you could take would be to create a detailed floor plan in advance.  By creating a detailed floor plan, you will be able to visually see how everything will work out in advance, as well as giving the movers an important resource to go from.  Once your items are in place, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments, instead of doing it all on the fly.  Whether you’re hiring a local moving company, movers in Seattle WA, or one out of Cleveland, the more information you can give your movers, the easier the move will be for everyone.

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A moving company can offer a multitude of services, depending on your specific needs.  If you are moving locally, out of state, or into a bigger business setting, a moving company can offer you the tools, and the professional support that you might be looking for.  But when choosing a moving company for your next move, there are a number of factors you will want to take into consideration.

You will want to evaluate exactly what you’re planning on moving and, most importantly, if you can find someone you can trust. By correctly weighing your options, and doing the proper research, there is no question there is a moving company out there to fit your specific needs.  But what should you be looking for?

Whether you are hiring a Seattle moving company, or a moving company out of Dallas, or Chicago, the most important thing you want to look for in a moving company is their reputation.  Remember, moving can sometimes be a very expensive endeavor, not to mention, when hiring an outside moving company. You will most likely be trusting complete strangers to be handling some of your most personal, and valued possessions.  So how can you make sure, that the moving company you’re choosing can even be trusted?

By taking a few simple, yet effective steps, you can ensure that you’re not only getting the best price, but you are getting a reliable and trustworthy moving company to fit all your moving needs.  The best thing you can do when evaluating moving companies’ reputations is to do a lot of research.  The first thing you can do is to look up different moving companies on the Internet.  Most reliable companies will have their own web site, including the services they offer, what sets them apart from other moving companies, and why you should give them your business.  Another important feature to look for is if the company has customer referrals on their web site.  This can be a great way to obtain some feedback about the company, from people who have actually used the service.

Besides checking out the company’s website itself, there are a number of other steps you can take to evaluate their credibility.  One step would be to call the local Better Business Bureau, to get more information about the company that you’re considering.  The Better Business Bureau can be an important resource because not only can they provide information on the legitimacy of the business, but will have any reports filed by unsatisfied customers, including if the matter was resolved in a timely fashion, or not at all.

Here are some things that you might want to look for as red flags.  One of those is that there is no website or no listed address for the company.  Another red flag to look for is if the company only accepts cash, and may want a large deposit upfront.  This can be a telltale sign of a con artist.  Also, make sure the moving company has insurance, and most importantly remember to sign a contract before any payment is transferred.

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Whatever the type of move, be it a residential or office move, be it a small or big one, in order to ensure that everything is handled correctly and safely, you must hire a professional moving company to help you.

But read this carefully: do not hire just ANY company.  Prior to selecting the best one for your needs, make sure you research thoroughly among Seattle moving companies.

In order to help you make an informed decision, here we present you 8 important questions that you should ask any company that you are considering seriously:

1.    Are you a broker or a company employee?
The broker’s job is to help people find moving companies; nevertheless, he cannot provide an obligatory estimate and is not responsible for losses and damages.

2.    Do you offer obligatory estimates?
Movers or brokers may give you an estimate over the phone, but it is not an obligatory one.  Prior to giving you such an estimate, the mover must check your valuables in person.

3.    Are any extra charges included in the estimate?
Charges like, long-carry, appliances, parking, storage, fuel, and special furniture, among others, are examples of costs that may or may not be included within a moving estimate.  You must let the moving company know about special furniture pieces you own or other special conditions about your move ahead of time so that they can include them in the estimate.

4.    What kind of equipment do you have?
It is important to know if the movers have equipment for heavy tasks and to handle special furniture pieces professionally.  It is an important part of ensuring you are getting the best help for your needs.

5.    Is there any transfer required?
Depending on the distance between your old home and the new one, your valuables may have to be transferred from one vehicle to another.  This increases damage risk, so you must know about it.

6.    What payment options do you offer and what are the conditions?
Try to stay away from movers that only take cash.  Be clear on how much you have to give as deposit and if it is refundable, and how much you have to pay upon delivery of your valuables.

7.    What type of insurance are you offering me, and what other types are available?
Normally, there is a basic coverage fee that can be upgraded at a very sensible price.  You can also research the option of third party insurance providers to cover your move.  In any case, investigate all your options in order to make an informed decision.

8.    How do you handle damages and loses? What is your level of responsibility?
When asking this, the answer must leave no doubt as to who is responsible for what.  If you are packing your belongings, the moving company may not pay for damages due to poor packing, for example, but they will most certainly teach you how to pack appropriately if you ask them to.  Just get a clear picture in advance.

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Well, sometimes there is no choice.  You have been relocated or someone put an offer on your home and you just have to move even if Christmas time is near.  The good news is that regardless of the craziness this season brings, it is possible to move in an organized way and still have time to enjoy your favorite time of year.

Probably, the hardest thing about moving close to Christmas time is that you will have to leave your friends and family behind.  This is something you have to accept and do not let it take control of you and your sanity.  The truth is that you are not really losing anyone, just moving a little farther away.  In order to help you feel more at home, put up your Christmas tree as soon as you move in, it will give you a homey feeling since it is something you brought from your previous place.  Also, as soon as you’re settled, or even some weeks before, if possible, try to get to know some neighbors, volunteer at events happening around the holidays or go and knock on some doors to introduce yourself and your family.

So, you are the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner host every year?  It would be good if you could ask someone else to do it this year so that you can pack and enjoy the activity at the same time without the added stress.  This could be a great time to say goodbye to many friends and family, and you should be fresh and happy to enjoy it fully.

Do not worry so much about Christmas shopping.  The best gift you can give your loved ones is for them to see you happy and accomplished, thus, choose to spend quality time with them instead before you leave. Your time and happiness will be the most valuable gift.

One thing you must do, though, is pay attention to your kids.  Every move is a traumatic experience for them and it could be even worse if it happens around Christmas.  Take the time to talk to them about their worries, like: will Santa know the new address?

Do not just sit on your b… look for activities to stay entertained during the holidays at your new place and spend valuable time getting your home the way you like it. In this way, after the holidays, you can start inviting new friends to your beautiful home.

You will take a big weight off your shoulders if you hire professional help to handle your move.  Make sure you contact a Seattle moving company capable of handling everything in an organized and safe manner, so that you know your valuables are taken care of in the best way possible.

In the end, it is all about putting things into perspective.  There is always a way to do everything in a calm and organized way while enjoying your traditions and loved ones.  And the best part is, next year you will have the opportunity to enjoy new traditions, with new and old friends, with your family, and with the feeling of accomplishment that brings moving ahead in your life.

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You are now settled into your new home, you have unpacked all your belongings, and the mover in Seattle is gone.  After a few days of rest from the strenuous physical efforts involved in a move, it is time to start thinking about adding worth to your new home.

As it turns out, landscaping is an investment as well as a way to beautify your surroundings.  Beautiful landscaping can add around five to fifteen percent in value to a home, and once the house is resold, the owners earn back 100% or even 200% of the investment.

If you remodel the kitchen, you will get around a 75% return, but landscaping, which can be done little by little, as your budget allows, is a simple way to add worth to your home.  The expenses due to landscaping are considered capital improvement, and can be added to your house’s basis to decrease the taxable profit once you sell.

Then, how should you do it?

First, make a plan.  Draw up your house and yard, including utility lines.  Identify the areas with a lot of light and shade, and confirm that your yard is draining rainwater well.  Mark the drainage and lighting patterns on your plan and define areas for sports, playing, recreation and parking.  If possible, take the soil for testing.

Make a list of the plants you already have in the yard and the plants you would like to incorporate.  Ask a landscaping professional if these plants will work well and what soil treatments you require.  Check the prices on the plants you want and go home to evaluate what you can afford now and what will come later.

When purchasing the plants, check them well.  Do not buy sick plants.  Keep the roots damp and in the shade before planting them and keep the plants healthy.  Follow the watering and fertilizing instructions, and prepare correctly the soil and beds, otherwise, you will lose your money.

You must buy a tree; consider it an investment.  Trees start increasing in value as soon as they are planted.  A young tree of around $50, will be worth between $1000 and $10,000 once it is mature.  Besides this attractive characteristic, trees reduce the house’s temperature by as much as 9 F (40 F in attics), saving you more than $250 per year in air conditioning.

Landscaping has lots of benefits for the environment too.  One tree can remove, annually, 216 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; this is equivalent to 11,000 miles of car emissions.  One acre of trees removes, per year; 13 tons of damaging substances from the air, and one tree offers enough oxygen to supply one family of four per day.  How about that?

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A move is seen, by child development professionals, as one of the most unsettling happenings in a kid’s life.  The manner in which a child responds to changing homes depends on several aspects, like personality, closeness to friends, and the reasons for the move.  Several studies have shown that the parents are in the best place to offer the needed support to help their children be happy regardless of any move.

The approach of the parents to the move normally affects the child.  If the parents are sad about it, the child’s reaction will be a negative one.  On the contrary, if the parents are happy about it and talk about great expectations, the child will too.  Normally, younger children are better at accepting big changes; children in their teens will have a rough time because the identity crisis that they normally experience during these years is deepened by the loss of their friends.

In order to make it easier on everyone, but especially on your children, talk openly to them about the move.  Tell them what they can expect, what their new neighborhood is like and how to make new friends.  If possible, take them there before moving, so that they can experience the place for themselves and feel like an important part of the decision.  You can let your children choose their bedrooms and think of how they are going to decorate them, give them packing and labeling responsibilities, and let them meet the movers in Seattle, so that they feel useful.

After you move, pay attention to your children’s games and playing routines, these will help you identify their needs.  If they are talking to friends, pets or dolls, they could be worried or fearful, thus, assure them that their normal activities will still be there and open the doors for communication.

Look for similarities between the old place and the new one, not only between the houses, but also between neighborhood and town.  Go to the child’s new school with him or her before the first day.  Go into the classroom and meet the teacher, encourage your child to play with a classmate before starting school and do not create false expectations about how cool the new school is.  Let your child experience it for himself, but always show optimism and encouragement.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.psmoving.com as the original source).

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