There is great excitement when you are going to move to a new home.  Despite the crazyness of the packing and planning with the Seattle moving company, the idea of a new place or even a new life puts a smile in most faces and a shine in most hearts.  And it can get even better, because it can put good money in most pockets too!

Moving time is a great time for a garage sale.  It is the perfect time to get rid of what is not useful anymore, to make room for all the new that will be coming along with your new home.

If you are moving into a smaller place, a garage sale IS a necessity, as well as if you are a fan of season sales; there is only so much room between four walls.  So there you go. If you want to get rid of unused clothes, old toys, unecessary furniture, and other belongings that are truly in your way, think garage sale.  You can always buy new stuff with the money you make, or even better, you can save it!

Although there is endless information in books, magazines, the web, and even from experienced friends, on how to run a successful garage sale, here we show you the best tips to fill your pockets with money:

1.    Check with local authorities the restrictions for garage sales.

2.    Invest some money on advertising in local newspapers, ad bulletin boards, and shoppers guides.  Post it online also.

3.    Ask other neighbors to join you, you can share costs and attract more buyers due to the amount of items on sale.

4.    Mark the way with flashy signs with arrows showing the way to your house.

5.    Define sale hours and avoid holiday weekends, no one will be home.

6.    Be prepared for customers who arrive too early.

7.    Set attractive prices and be ready to bargain.

8.    Put a price tag on every item and group items by price.  You can also use colors to differentiate prices.

9.    Clean the items before the sale, to make them more desirable.

10.    Put the clothes on racks for easy viewing and check the pockets beforehand!

11.    Put similar items, or things that complement each other, together; it may get you more sales.

12.    Have plenty of change in hand.

13.    Be careful with the money; have it locked up in a box or wear a fanny pack.

14.    Offer bags for the customers who buy and paper to wrap the china.

15.    Remove all signs after the sale is over.

16.    Give to charity whatever is left; it will make you feel really good!

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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There is a very simple answer to that question:  there is never ‘too much’ when talking about safety after a move.  After the not-so-much-fun part of the move is over, and the movers in Seattle are gone, you just want to relax and enjoy your new home in the company of your family and friends, however, there is one more thing you must take care of, and it is to make sure your loved ones are completely safe in the new nest.

Keep them safe from what, you say?  How about potential fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and burglars?  Yes, believe it or not, these are more than common hazards that afflict thousands of moving families across America.  Fire alone, kills more than 3,000 people per year in their homes, and more than 350,000 residential fires are attended by fire departments.

So, first things first:

1.    As soon as you move, put new batteries in the smoke alarm devices and ensure they are working OK.  Monthly maintenance is key!

2.    Work on an evacuation plan after carefully studying the floor plan, and identify the safest areas.

3.    Install a carbon monoxide detector if there is none.  It is a great risk in the presence of furnaces, ranges, and water and room heaters.  Symptoms are similar to those associated with the common flu: headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and difficulty breathing.

4.    Get someone to inspect the heating system for blockages, corrosion and disconnections.

5.    Install all appliances following the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.

6.    Make it a habit to lock all doors and windows while you are away and during the night.  Many, out of the more than a million burglaries that happen each year, are avoidable, but it has been confirmed that homeowners do not know how to keep their homes safe:

-    Do not place valuables in front of windows, where they will be seen by people walking by.

-    Ensure every door and window has a lock.  For doors, get deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.

-    Sliding doors should be secured with a metal rod in the track to prevent forced opening.

-    Always lock the attached garage.

-    Get a good outdoor lighting system.

-    Trim the shrubs near the entrance so that there is no place for burglars to hide.

-    Inquire if the neighborhood has a community watch program; if yes, join it; if not, encourage neighbors to start one.

-    Install an alarm; it has proven very useful to discourage crime and give peace of mind to homeowners.

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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While you are checking lists and packing to move to your dream home, you must remember to pay special attention to your desktop computer, and ensure the movers in Seattle do too.  If you fail to pack it appropriately, your computer may suffer mechanical failure or be damaged due to physical hits during transportation.  That’s something you don’t want to see happen if you depend on it for work or home organization activities.

In order to ensure your computer is moved safely, follow these tips:

-    Transfer copies of all of your files into an external hard drive.  Pack the hard drive safely into a computer case or other place where it will not be stepped on or hit.

-    Park the hard disk.  You must make sure nothing is working before you move the computer to avoid the possibility of shock.  The parking procedure works differently according to the type of computer, so make sure you find out how it is done for yours.  The hard disk will go back to work once you turn on the computer again.  Next, turn off the system and remove the cables from the back.  Write down which cable goes where.

-    If possible, pack the computer in the original package.  It is specially designed to hold it safely, but if you do not have it anymore, find a strong box that can fit it and get good packing materials.

-    Look after the printer.  Use the original box to pack it, if possible.  If it happens to be a laser printer, remove the ink cartridge to avoid spilling and contamination. If it is a pin printer, put a piece of paper in the platen to secure the head.

-    Cover the monitor very well with bubble wrap, cushions or cloth.  Since it is made out of glass, it can easily be scratched or broken.

-    Place the CPU standing up or on its side, with the motherboard flat on the bottom, otherwise, the interior cards will go loose and you will require technical assistance to make it work again.

-    If you have any doubts or questions about the best way to move your computer, contact the technical manufacturer’s department, browse the Internet to find the exact specifications to transport it, or simply consult your Seattle moving company.

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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Moving is no easy business, or so you have heard or even experienced, however, there are several tips you can follow to make it smooth and even enjoyable, one more quality time activity to share with your family and friends.

Some of these tips may seem obvious, but this is the main reason why they are normally overlooked, causing unnecessary stress and trouble among the family members involved in the process.

These tips will work for you before and right after you have moved, so make sure you take advantage of them and include them in your checklist for constant reminding.

-    Take notes.  Write everything down, like your shipment registration number to have it available to call your moving company with any questions about your stuff.

-    Make the bed.  Remember that you will be tired on the first night in your new home, so pack separately the sheets and towels for your bed so that you do not have to look all over the place and in every single box for them.

-    Remember the refrigerator.  After it has been cleaned up, put some fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal inside a sock and put it inside the refrigerator to keep it smelling fresh.

-    Keep your old phone book.  You may need to contact someone from your former neighborhood or a business close to it.

-    Heavy packing vs. light packing.  Heavy things go in small boxes and the light stuff goes in large boxes.

-    Give out your contact information.  Make sure the movers have your cell phone number as well as any other number they may need, in case they are not able to contact you directly.

-    Care for your memories.  As much as possible, personally take care of your valuable items, but if it is necessary to pack them, make sure you cover them extensively to protect them.

-    Learn to pack plates and records.  These must be packed on end vertically, not flat and stacked.

-    List your main necessities.  You will need toilet paper, telephone, toiletries, snacks, coffee with pot, soap, tooth brush, comb, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups, utensils, pans and paper towels, among others.  Pack these all together in a box and have it handy once you have moved.

-    Unscrew all the bulbs before packing your lamps.

-    Tag every item.  During a garage sale, be ready to wheel and deal, people love to bargain, so make sure everything is tagged.

-    Give kids something to do.  Keep them busy writing their names and new address on their boxes, in this way, they will learn their new address and will easily identify what belongs to them during moving day in the new house.

-    Protect your pet.  Keep pets away from the hassle, ask a friend to look after your best friend for a while during the move.

-    Be nice to plants.  Be careful when moving them as they are very sensitive to heat and harsh movements.

-    Give your computer a break.  Let it get used to the new room temperature before plugging it in. Crazy? Not really, temperature variations do affect its performance.

-    Enjoy the help.  Let the professional mover in Seattle do his job while you sit back, rest, and enjoy your new home.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

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If moving is a stressful activity for you, you must know that it can be the same or even worse for your cat.

Cats are extremely suspicious creatures when it comes to change within their space.  Even small changes within a room can make them nervous; thus, imagine what a complete change of house can do to them.

Luckily, there are some tips you can follow to ease your friend’s reaction to a major house move and make it less stressful for you too, if putting him in a good pet nursery for a few days is not an option.

1.    About a month before you move, leave the carrier in which you will be transporting your friend close to his surroundings, so that the cat gets used to its sight and smell.

2.    On moving day, put the cat in a completely closed room to keep him away from the hectic activity and to be able to find him easily when you’re ready to leave.  Do not forget to provide a litter tray, water and food for him, and to put a note on the door reminding everyone that the door must remain shut at all times.

3.    When you are ready to go, put the cat inside the carrier with a familiar blanket and secure him in the car with a seat belt.

4.    If the trip is long, offer him water and a litter box.  If you stop at some point, leave a window open and park the car in the shade, as high temperatures inside the car may be fatal.

5.    Once you arrive to your new home, leave the cat inside the carrier until a room is ready to accommodate him along with his tray, water and food.  Do not leave any doors or windows open, and make his environment feel as safe as possible.

6.    As soon as the Seattle movers are done and all exterior doors are closed, let the cat out of the room and allow him to explore the new environment; you can start with two rooms to take it slow.

7.    Cats rub their heads and bodies on furniture, walls, doors, and everything else to leave their scent on them, as it gives them a sense of security.  So, to help them settle in, grab a soft cloth and rub it gently around their face to pick up their scent, then, pass the cloth around the places the cats will be exploring, this will make them feel confident in their new space.  Do this daily for about a week.

8.    Feed the cat with small frequent meals at first to have more contact with him and to reassure him that everything is fine.

9.    Do not let the cat out of the house during the first two or three weeks to give him time to learn his new space and get used to the smells.  When you finally let him out, make sure he is hungry so that he doesn’t go too far.  Ensure also that it is a quiet time and go with him.  Let him go a little further every day, but never alone, and always wearing a clear ID.

With some patience and perseverance, you and your cat will soon feel right at home in your new place, ready to enjoy it fully and happily.

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Getting ready for that big move?  Rallying all the friends and neighbors to help?  Although this may give you a great reason for a big party, there IS a downside to having non-professionals handle this critical job for you.

First of all, your friends are not trained in handling large pieces of furniture delicately.   They could, without meaning to, scratch your prize antique dining table or drop the box marked delicate on your daughter’s toes during the big event.

Movers in Seattle will wrap your prize furniture in blankets before loading it onto their large trucks – meaning it will arrive at your new location intact and scratch free.  Your fragile items will be packed in bubble wrap – and not dropped.

Friends also may drag items across hardwood flooring – because they just don’t know any better and want to be done with things and get on with drinking beer!   Seattle Movers will make sure that your flooring is kept pristine, and will move items in such a way that nothing gets damaged.

Another reason not to count on friends is – let’s face it – moving is just not going to be top on their list of what they want to do with their weekend.  You can count on at least two or three people suddenly getting the flu, or remembering a wedding they have to attend, or … the list goes on.

If you plan on renting a truck, you and most of your friends are probably not USED to driving a large truck.  This means the risk of an accident is higher than normal, and YOU are liable unless you purchase expensive insurance.  It is true that many insurance policies will cover you as a driver of another vehicle, but do you really want your premiums to go up if anything happens?

Last but not least, moving IS stressful.  Leaving all the details to the pros means that you can continue your life as usual with minimal disruption to your routine.   Stress is at a minimum, and you can rest assured that everything is being handled professionally.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
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Very few people in this world enjoy the process of moving. There’s all the sorting, packing, carrying, organizing, and re-organizing that usually comes with it. Seattle movers put together a checklist meant to make it easy and flawless. A lot of pain can be avoided by following these steps:

Step 1 – Set a moving date.

Step 2 – Set two days prior to your moving date as the deadline to have all issues pertaining to your move resolved.

Step 3 – Get rid of all old clothes and other items you know you will not want to keep. One nice way to do this is by giving to charity.

Step 4 – Create an inventory list that includes everything you did not throw out or donate. Start by listing large items, such as furniture. Include a description and also any serial numbers or other pertinent information that can identify each item. Estimate a value in cash for each item. Once you’re done with furniture and other large items, work down to the tiniest – such as jewelry. There will be things you won’t care to list in detail – this of course can be done and you can just include them in one large, generic category.

Step 5 – If you have not already done so, contact a moving company and send your inventory in order to get an estimate from at least three sources.

Step 6 – Call all utilities companies and let them know of your move-out date. Call utilities companies at your destination and set up installation dates.

Step 7 – If you don’t mind using old boxes, you can find them for free at supermarkets. They usually can be had for nothing from the employees who work at the receiving docks in the back part of the store building. Otherwise, buy enough boxes for your items and assemble them. Make the boxes safer by reinforcing the edges and corners with duct tape.

Step 8 – Pack

Step 9 – Make sure you mark every box according to the room the items came from. Give each box a number and use it on your inventory list to reference what box each item went to.

Step 10 – Pack sensitive documents and valuables in small boxes you can take with you on the moving trip.

On moving day, you will be very thankful you followed steps 1 through 10. You will be able to sit back and let the moving company do their job while you relax.

Moving to another house can be one of the most stressing moments in people’s lives. There are so many things that you need to pack that only the process of preparation can take weeks. You probably look at things and wonder how you managed to collect so many objects, and as you start packing, a firm idea to get rid of everything starts to surface.

As getting rid of all of your belongings is probably the last thing you will really do, you certainly need to decide what to do with your stuff. If your future home is bigger, then you probably don’t need to worry much, as you’ll have enough space to keep what you already have. But if your new place is smaller, you’d better organize things and be very conscious of what you want to take with you.

Organization is the key word here. Concentrate on one room at a time, do some cleaning and then pile up your belongings according to the following criteria:

1. WHAT TO KEEP: Keep only the fundamental things, those you can’t live without. This is the place for things you use everyday, and which in practical terms are irreplaceable.
2. WHAT TO THROW AWAY: Get rid of all the objects you keep “just in case”, as they are usually broken or incomplete. If you haven’t used something for a whole year, you definitely don’t need it now.
3. WHAT TO REPAIR: A small tear, a small scratch, or a piece to be changed. Sometimes buying a new item is not necessary; save money whenever you can. Now, if the repair is higher than the cost, just get rid of it.
4. WHAT TO SELL: Why not sell some of your stuff? If you don’t have any space in your new place for your collections, antiques, or ornaments, a little extra money can make you very happy and solve the problem at once. Organize a garage sale and save that money for your new home.
5. WHAT TO GIVE AWAY: Let your unused items have a second life in other hands. Many people need help with clothes or furniture and giving things away will save you a lot of space in your new home.

This clean sweep will make you a lot more confident when deciding on moving companies in Seattle, San Francisco, or wherever you happen to live, as the size of the whole load will be considerably smaller. You can coordinate the packing of items with the movers, or you can do that yourself, as the amount of items will be much less than before. Finally, remember to label all the boxes, so you can know what’s inside keep track of fragile objects all the way. As you will keep only the essentials, there is no risk of moving useless items from one place to the other. Being selective with your belongings will pay off right away, so settling down in your new place will be much faster and easier than you ever imagined.