SkyFive Properties Blog

If you’re moving from California to Florida, you are essentially moving across the whole continental country. That’s a huge undertaking, and you should not approach the task lightly. Before you get overwhelmed by all you need to do, check out these top tips for making your move from California to Florida just a little easier.

Need more info about Florida real estate? There are plenty of amazing destinations in Florida; find which one is right for you.

Ship Your Car

One of the downsides of moving so far across the country is traveling from one place to another. It’s not like you’re moving across town or even across the state where you could make multiple trips or get friends and family to help you move. If you’ve got a huge moving load, you’re probably already wondering how to get everything from the West Coast to the most southern tip of the continental U.S. These car shipping companies are highly rated for moving your vehicle across the country for a reasonable rate. Compare car shipping companies for their rates, along with their insurance policies, availability, drop-off options, and reviews. View Sherpa auto transport reviews to see what others have to say about their prices and service. As soon as you know your moving dates, be sure to book early to lock in the best rates and availability.

Hire a Crew

You have enough going on with your move without worrying about how you’re going to get your belongings across the country. Moving companies can be expensive, so should compare and check their rate structure before you book anything. But in a move as big as going from California to Florida, you might just want to splurge. Another option is to hire a container company, like PODS, to be delivered to your home, picked up when you’ve finished packing, and hauled to your new home in Florida. That way, you can have the flexibility to pack at your own pace and have someone else do the heavy lifting. Keep in mind that hauling your belongings across the country can put wear and tear on your vehicle and your peace of mind. You and your belongings are safer in the hands of a trusted professional.

If your schedule is even busier, consider hiring other professionals, such as declutter specialists or a packing and unpacking company, to do the hard parts for you. Professional organizers can help you lose the trash and organize the treasure so you can move with ease. Professional packers will pack your stuff, load your boxes, and help you unpack on the other end. Keep in mind packers are not declutter experts and so they will pack everything in your home. It’s up to you to do a purge before you call them. Otherwise, these professionals can save you loads of time and hassle. If you’re moving coast to coast, consider two different companies. One to pack you in California and another to unpack in Florida.

Plan Well

A cross-country move isn’t for everyone. You should be aware of the differences in climate, activities, real estate prices, and more between California and Florida. Research is the first component of moving across the country. Since you’re not moving to the other side of town, you’ll need to plan everything well in advance because you cannot make multiple trips easily or cheaply.

Your moving plan should contain everything you need to make a cross-country move. You can start with your property needs and assessments and move on to tackling changes over your utilities and mailing address. Go room by room and decide what needs to go and what can make the trip with you. Make a note of all the things that you can pack early and what must stay unpacked until the last few days.

Pack the essentials like chargers and toilet paper last and in a separate box or bag that you can keep with you for the move. Making the journey from California to Florida means you will probably have to stay on the road for at least one night. Make sure you have everything you need with you before you get on the road.

Are you struggling to pay your monthly mortgage installments? Do you fear foreclosure? There is no reason to panic, as you might qualify for a home loan modification. Most individuals mistake this term for refinancing, but both strategies are different.

Loan modification refers to the action of changing the terms of your existing mortgage, whereas refinancing means replacing it with a new mortgage. Nowadays, there is a myriad of companies, such as https://floridahomeownersolutions.com/florida-home-loan-modification/, providing solutions to homeowners who face issues with their properties.

Here is everything you need to know about the modification strategy.

Who is eligible?

Borrowers coping with financial hardship for a variety of reasons might be eligible for a loan modification based on the eligibility criteria of different lenders. For instance, some moneylenders require borrowers to have at least one missed or late mortgage payment to qualify. Nevertheless, they are also curious about the reasons that led to financial hardship to decide if a modification is a feasible solution.

Let us assume you have recently lost your job and have been deprived of your monthly income. In such an unfortunate scenario, making a change to the mortgage terms will not get your job back. Conversely, if you have switched jobs but earn less than before, a change in loan terms might help you pay your installments regularly.

The reasons for no longer being able to afford mortgage payments vary across individuals, but not all of them are accepted by lenders. The usual ones include income loss, divorce, separation, increased housing costs, illness, disability, pandemic, natural disaster, etc. Nevertheless, borrowers should keep in mind that moneylenders will require proof of financial hardship. It is of tremendous importance to discuss your situation with your lender to see if you have a chance of qualifying.

Modification options

Mortgage lenders provide borrowers with a couple of alternatives for a home loan modification, depending on their financial situation. For example, one of the options is reducing your current interest rate, which results in a reduction of the monthly mortgage installments by as many as hundreds of dollars. Check out some helpful tips for choosing the right mortgage modification strategy.

A mortgage payment of $200,000 with a four percent interest rate is approximately $950 a month. Conversely, the same home loan with a three percent interest rate would cost approximately $840 monthly. This alternative is almost identical to refinancing, but you will not be required to pay any closing fees.

Another viable strategy offered by lenders is the extension of your loan term. By lengthening the term, borrowers are provided with an opportunity to pay more affordable monthly payments. Many individuals whose mortgage terms have ten to fifteen years left decide to extend the terms by ten more years to reduce the monthly installments. Anyhow, such an extension results in paying far more interest during the life of your loan.

Another successful modification strategy is the switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed-rate mortgage. This option is not meant to reduce your current payments but prevents a dramatic increase in interest rates in the long term. The rates of adjustable-rate mortgages tend to change in accordance with the changes in the market. Therefore, by switching to a fixed-rate home loan, you will have your interest rate locked, irrespective of the market changes.

The least practiced strategy by lenders is the reduction of the principal balance. In such unusual circumstances, lenders decide to reduce the sum you owe. This strategy is also known under the name principal modification. It was prevalent in the past, during the housing crisis when the value of homes plummeted. A moneylender can opt for this strategy only after attentively considering the momentary housing market and the sum you owe.

Some lenders decide to combine a few strategies to make the monthly installments of borrowers more manageable. After looking at your situation and requirements, you might get your interest reduced, as well as your loan, extended. Nevertheless, before making any decisions, moneylenders conduct a cost-benefit analysis to see the benefits for both parties.

Final thoughts

Check whether you qualify for a home modification.

If so, minimize your worries and start planning!

Best known as either Chicagoland or the Windy City, Chicago is a popular city for real estate investment. In this article, we will go over the details on what makes the third-most-populous city in Illinois such an attraction.

A Look At Real Estate

The pandemic has impacted activity and pricing in the real estate industry across the country. However, recovery is underway and all indications point to a rebound trending in both city and suburb properties for both residential and commercial in and around Chicago. With a record-setting low for inventory, getting into the real estate market will be challenging for anyone looking in the Chicago area to invest or relocate. The stats from September 2021 are promising and show the following:

A total of 2,604 properties were sold during the month generating $1.1 billion in volume. Although that is down 3% from September 2020, it is also down from the 2,924 properties sold in August 2021 ($1.3 billion in sales volume), which is customary as the market adjusts for the transition from a hot summer of sales to cooler totals in fall. The average price of homes sold in September 2021 was at $430,000 with the time spent on the market totaling 58 days. There were a total of 980 detached homes sold during the month generating a total sales volume of $420-million. 1,624 properties sold in the same period were attached homes with sales volume totaling $695-million. Read more here.

Other Key Market Indicators

Home values in Chicago have increased by 9.5% in the past year and over 26% over the past five years. The median listing price of a single-family home is $347,000 which breaks down to a median list price per square foot of $265. The median time a home spends on the market in Chicago is 65 days and the median selling price of a single-family home is $350,000. That means homes in the region are selling for just about the asking price as the sale-to-list ratio figures out to be 99.4%. The most affordable of Chicago’s 78 neighborhoods is West Ridge with a median listing price of $199,900. The most expensive of the neighborhoods is Lincoln Park with $650,000 as the median listing price.

Chicago Is A Sellers Market

A tight home inventory best describes the real estate situation in Chicago at present. In September 2021, there were a total of 6,813 properties on the market. This amounted to an average supply of 2.29 months. In other words, based on sales activity, the total number of properties currently available would take about 2.29 months to sell. What that means is Chicago is a seller’s market. Anytime the inventory totals less than six months of supply, it indicates that buyers have fewer options available to choose from. The benchmark for a balanced market is six months of inventory. When there is more than six months’ worth, there is a lot of choices available to buyers and this generally leads to a drop in pricing by sellers attempting to attract sales.

Chicago Is Also A Renters’ Market

With prices continuing to climb as the Chicago real estate market bones back from the pandemic, more people are opting to rent where they live. Stats to support this include the following:

Rents in the Windy City have increased by 2% year-over-year, and almost 26% in the past three years. The median rent is pegged at $2,250 per month for a 3-bedroom unit and over half of the occupied housing in Chicagoland (53%) is rented. The most affordable neighborhoods to rent in the region are Auburn Gresham, Pullman, and Riverdale. Rents in these areas average no more than $1,200 a month. On the there end of the scale, the highest rental rates are in the neighborhoods of Near North Side, Loop, and South Loop where rentals average up to $5,000 per month. It is interesting to note that 41% of Chicago’s population is made up of Millennials and Generation Z residents (aged 20 to 49).

Lifestyle Indicators

There is something for everyone in and around Chicago as the cost of living in the city is still considered affordable compared to many other major cities in the country. For example, compared to San Francisco, the Windy City is 39% less expensive to live in and 52% more affordable than New York City. The best neighborhoods to live in Chicagoland are West Loop, Printers Row, River North, and Streeterville with Oak Park, Naperville, Evanston, and Hinsdale coming out as the top suburbs to settle in. According to Forbes, and based on criteria related to household income growth and high-tech employment, Chicago is considered an excellent location for business and career development. Niche.com states Chicago ranks near the top for family living, diversity, and nightlife and comes in at the 21st best city in the US for young professionals. The city hosts several professional sports teams including the NFL Bears, NHL Blackhawks, NBA Bulls, and MLB Cubs and White Sox earning the distinction of being the Best Sports City in the country. As for major attractions for locals and tourists, Chicago has many including the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, and Millennium Park to name a few.

Final Thoughts

Chicago is a popular place for real estate investment for several reasons. It is still an affordable place to live compared to other big cities in the US and has a large population of residents 49 years of age and younger. With 78 different neighborhoods and a diverse collection of cultural and artistic offerings, there is something for everyone. If you choose to move to Chicago, you will not be sorry. Your life will be full and active with high-paying career options and no shortage of activities to fill the time not spent working. If you are planning on raising a family, Chicago offers an amazing network of educational institutes from primary to post-secondary and beyond. Chicago is a lot more than a sports town situated on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is a great place to live and grow.

Accidents can happen anytime. And even when you are at work, these untoward incidents may occur. Regardless of your company has established all the necessary rules and regulations. Even if they have set up several safety measures, accidents are bound to happen in one way or another.

And if you have suffered a workplace injury, you are entitled to compensation for the losses incurred. In addition, there are several types of payment for workplace accident victims that the company may give in addition to workers’ compensation.

For example, suppose the injury you incurred was caused by the negligent behavior of someone in the same workplace. In that case, you may also demand compensation for your psychological or mental pain and suffering.

Construction Industry

Construction is United States’ most prominent industry. Unfortunately, thousands of workers are injured and killed at construction sites. Despite the current legal and trade provisions established to help prevent accidents in construction sites.

And based on recent statistics, one out of ten (10) construction workers suffer on-the-job injuries. So what are the most common work-related construction site injuries in the country?

Construction Industry Injuries

These are the injuries sustained when doing construction work. And according to recent data, here’s the list of the most common damages incurred when working at construction sites:

• falls
• all accidents involving heavy construction equipment such as scaffolding, cranes, conveyors, ladders, backhoes and more
• power line injuries
• trenching injuries
• fires and explosions
• builder neglect
• building collapse
• inadequate barricades
• OSHA noncompliance

What Do You Need To Do?

Suppose you’ve been hurt while on the job; you must immediately report your injury to your employer. You need to inform them in thirty (30) days from the time you got hurt. Or from the date you knew your injury or illness was related to your job.

If you do not tell your employer regarding the details, you may not get the benefits. Furthermore, most injured construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, these benefits do not cover all of the expenses incurred.

So, when a construction site accident occurs, several individuals or businesses are held liable. These people or businesses are the ones responsible for making the construction site a safe place to work:

• Owners
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Engineers
• Electricians
• Scaffolding companies
• Architects
• Insurance companies
• Equipment manufacturers

The general contractor and subcontractors need to ensure that the environment they are working in is safe for everyone. Likewise, equipment manufacturers need to ensure that the tools and equipment they provide passed proper quality control measures.

Who Do You Need to Call?

Did you know? Having negligence and workers’ compensation may not be enough. So you need to have a dedicated construction accident lawyer to help you out. Why? Because legal principles and corporate laws are essential to establishing your case so you can get better remuneration.

A construction accident lawyer has an in-depth understanding of federal and state regulations governing construction sites. Having one on your side is crucial when developing a case against those responsible for an accident.

Conclusion

Having a construction accident lawyer on your side will help you obtain the remuneration needed to rebuild and move forward with your life. So when you are choosing a workplace injury lawyer, there are several things that you need to consider:

• Make sure that they have experience in inspecting worksites
• Knows how to preserve evidence
• Experienced in identifying and questioning critical witnesses

Do not immediately sign your rights away! Instead, make sure that a seasoned construction accident lawyer Houston is on your side to defend your case. They will help you get better compensation so you can move forward with your life.

The unmistakable hum and buzz of operating appliances can be heard throughout most workplaces and homes. They make our lives easier, yet using them necessitates paying for power because of how often and how long they run.  What appliances use the most electricity in your business?

The quantity of energy used might vary greatly depending on the appliance, increasing the overall ownership cost. The following are the household appliances with the highest power used to know which ones are the most expensive.

Heater:

Percentage of energy used for heating: 27%

The usage of heat in houses is essential to manage the indoor environment when the temperature often falls. The usage of heat in rooms has a far heftier price tag when compared to the cooling it can provide.

How to save money:

It is possible to save money on home heating expenses while still enjoying a good level of life by using a variety of tactics. Consider performing your duties instead of changing the thermostat when it becomes cold. Laundry machines and ovens produce a significant quantity of heat, which warms your home without costing you anything. Even better, you’ll be able to do two tasks at once and get a head start on the rest of your to-do list. Open your drapes, curtains, or blinds during the day to let the sun heat your house, then shut them at night to keep the heat in.

Air Conditioner:

19% of cooling energy is used.

Using the air conditioner to chill things down is another way to regulate the temperature in our houses. During the summer months, its usage spikes in regions with more distinct seasons, although it may be used at any time.

How to Save Money

Lowering the temperature in rooms is a simple way to reduce the amount of energy it consumes. Opening windows and utilizing fans are two of the simplest and least energy-intensive methods to achieve this. A programmable thermostat configured to warm or cool the home according to preference may assist you in both cooling and heating efforts. Take advantage of this by setting the thermostat to a lower temperature or going from home when you sleep. This may save you money by lowering the amount of power the gadget uses.

Conclusion

There are several devices and gadgets in our homes that we don’t see regularly. While most household appliances consume some energy, there is a select number that is very wasteful.

Keep this list close at hand and alter how often you use these high-energy-consumption gadgets to prevent them from depleting your financial account completely. There are a plethora of different options for lowering your power bills. Get a quotation from Utility Builder now and start saving money on your power bill right away!

There is probably a top 5 for everything, but this is a list you do not want to miss…

1. Beaches with Benefits

With around seventy miles of gorgeous coastlines and a different beach to suit every style and personality, the water activities here are almost as endless as the stunning sunsets. If you have never tried surfing or kayaking or really anything more than floating on your back, San Diego is the best place to knock the stagnation out of you, clear out your inner-city cobwebs, and get you feeling sportier than that one big-haired British-Pop chick from the nineties…

2. Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Awesome

Not all cities are created equally. This is especially true for San Diego; they have one of the longest summer seasons in all of America which basically lasts from March to October every year. It really is no wonder more than thirty-five million tourists flock there for a visit annually. They did not earn the nickname “America’s Finest City” for no good reason, in fact – the weather is so lovely there so much of the time that you do not even really need a weather app to plan your day. If you are looking for apartments to rent in San Diego, I suggest you keep the tourist season in mind, so you actually stand a chance of finding something great before it gets snatched up by someone else. A complete opposite type of real estate would be apartments for rent in newark due to the extreme contrast in location and climate.

3. Movin’ On Up!

San Diego is home to a wide variety of industry giants like Amazon and Apple, an even wider variety of awe-inspiring biotech start-ups as well as craft breweries aplenty. Yes, I did indeed say craft breweries, San Diego’s meteoric rise as a craft beer capital has led to over one hundred and fifty breweries opening their doors there. San Diegans are as warm as their summers are with a deep level of care when it comes to conservation and saving our giant rock of a planet. Talk to your selected real estate agent about the total list of projects in the city because water conservation and recycling programs are just two of the many initiatives this eco-friendly city is part of, this little city has a giant and environmentally friendly heart.

4. Food, glorious food.

No beach scene would be complete without the food truck, and boy oh boy does San Diego know exactly how to bring the grub! With Mexico not far away, this city pays homage to one of the world’s best cuisines – and authentic Mexican cuisine too, not mass-produced blandness (yo, no way-o!) in a taco shell. Ask of the locals and they will be sure to point you in the right direction when it comes to sampling the best San Diego has to offer!

5. No Better Place for Learning

Not only home to giants in terms of companies and corporations, but San Diego is also home to quite a few renowned and prestigious higher education faculties. Universities like the Cal State in San Diego have made it very clear that this place is more than just beaches and burritos. The extensive graduate and undergraduate programs offered here are even more appealing than the idea of studying further in your selected field in, quite possibly, the most beautiful setting imaginable.

Are you planning to start your own dental practice? You will be needing a premise for your clinic. Such a major step requires careful consideration prior to negotiating a dental office lease.

There are a few types of tenancy to consider, imposing different terms and clauses on lessees. The research process should commence months in advance, as you should do your homework before the start of negotiations. Real estate brokers and attorneys can be of assistance in making sure you’re making the right decision.

Real estate dental experts can help dentists find a dental office for lease by representing their interests.

The following tips might facilitate the process.

Consider the type of tenancy

Prior to starting a dental practice, dentists are required to consider the different types of tenancy offered by landlords. For instance, a gross or full-service lease covers virtually all expenses related to the leased space, such as base rent, insurance, maintenance, janitorial services, and taxes. The base rent of gross tenancy is higher but consistent, allowing dentists to plan their budgets. To avoid unexpected expenses, lessees are advised to review the leasehold with an attorney.

Another type of dental office lease to consider is the triple net (NNN) tenancy. It obliges dentists to pay the rent amount monthly, which is lower than the amount required by the gross variant. Besides rent, tenants are expected to pay for their share of building maintenance costs, including parking, elevator, lobby, and storage, along with property taxes and storage.

Moreover, dentists are highly recommended to review the NNN lease with a professional to negotiate caps on the sum on an annual basis and exclude some shared expenses that pass down to the lessee, like common area maintenance costs. The base rent tends to be lower, as the tenant agrees to cover the ongoing expenses, which would otherwise be covered by the landlord. Click here to gain a better understanding of the triple net lease.

Another option for dentists to consider is an assignment of a lease, which isn’t a typical type of tenancy. When dentists retire and sell their practices, they usually assign the new tenant the existing tenancy. In contrast, prospective lessees are interested in negotiating a new leasehold with the lessor. Once the landlord provides approval, a lease assignment can be signed.

Consider the length of tenancy

Another aspect worth considering before the negotiation is the length of tenancy. Prior to discussing terms with potential landlords, dentists are supposed to confirm the term length with their lenders. The largest part of lenders requires tenants to agree to a ten-year term to be approved for a start-up loan.

Furthermore, longer terms benefit lessees by locking in the space’s rental value at the time of taking out the loan. Nevertheless, due to the dips in the real estate market, dentists might end up paying a higher rent for a prolonged period. Therefore, most of them look for an initial term of five years with an option for renewal.

Near the end of the inceptive term, the tenant and the landlord renegotiate the rent amount for the upcoming period, provided the dentist decides to continue leasing the practice. Shorter terms provide dentists with the flexibility to stop leasing the space and relocate. If their intention is to keep leasing the space, they can renegotiate the rent, provided the situation in the market has changed in the meantime.

Pay attention to specific clauses and terms

Prior to entering the real estate market, dentists are supposed to consider several important clauses of commercial lease agreements, such as the option to renew clause, which we just finished discussing. Another essential clause is the assignment clause, enabling the lessee to assign the tenancy to a new tenant in case of a sale. See this link, https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-an-assignor-5200505, for an explanation of the role of an assignor.

In addition, the assignment clause is of great importance to dentists planning to flip practices and those nearing retirement. The personal guarantee is another important term to look for in the agreement. This clause makes the lessee personally responsible for defaulting rent payments under the leasehold. It might be structured in a way to be removed after a certain period, be limited in amount, or be reduced by providing positive financial statements.

There are other important clauses and terms for potential tenants to look for, such as the option to buy the real estate, the hazardous waste clause, the HIPPA clause, the parking space clause, etc. Make sure to consult a real estate broker to negotiate the most crucial points on your behalf. Also, a consultation with an attorney is necessary for the review and editing of the document before finalization.

In conclusion

Real estate agents can assist you in getting the best lease.

Hire their services!

Photo by Adrian Trinkaus on Unsplash

Looking to make a move? Maybe you are considering what the right property investment is for you right now. Renting vs. buying has never been more difficult, with home rentals gaining in popularity, especially in places where buying is not an option due to declining real estate prices, credit tightening, or housing prices that are still too high. If you are considering renting or investing, read this property guide to figure out what the right option is for you as it can have a serious impact on you in the long term as many will let you know.

Apartment Rentals

Being a part of an apartment community can be a great way to ease into your new home. Regardless of the amount of time you may be spending there when looking at your lease agreement. It is all dependent on the type of people surrounding you and how socially active they are. Likewise, you would be looking at what is included in the complex that brings people together, such as the amenities. As well as how you connect to the apartment complex and something that you can’t forget which is your budget plan.

What are monthly rentals like, are daily rentals possible, and what happens when your lease comes to an end? When you consider long or short-term apartment rentals your budget and credit score are important factors that you typically think of first. This way you can negotiate to pay rent in advance or just scope out the best payment options. Secondly, if your lease agreement is over it is a matter of renewing it or finding a new home.

You have to factor in the upfront costs and fixed monthly expenses alongside renters insurance when looking at your finances. Other than the financial aspects and the apartment community that you would be considering when looking around you need to look out for damages. If there are any you should record them and notify your landlord so there aren’t unnecessary hassles along the road. Likewise, making sure that you know your renter’s rights can provide you with the necessary safety and security nets.

Apartment Investments

Investing in apartments can afford you more financial security in the long term. It is just as advantageous as housing investments. Maybe you may begin questioning whether scaling up into a new house is a better option. As you begin to grow within your life and career these considerations may become more appealing. However, if you had considered all the pros and cons then decided that investing in apartments is the best strategy then you would need to go about it the right way.

Investing in rental property means that you know the risks and the benefits. The right deals can be found by understanding the market and area that you are buying into. This means that you have studied the real estate cycle and whether there will be long-term appreciation or depreciation. Likewise, the incoming cash flow would need to be factored in. Ask yourself the right questions when it comes to the expenses that you will be paying out alongside the income that flows in as you delve into this choice.

Photo by HiveBoxx on Unsplash

Moving to a new home can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. You need to find your way around, get used to your new environment and organize all your belongings.

There are many things that cause stress when moving house. Of course, the obvious one is the cost of moving, but there are other less tangible costs. For example, getting used to your new neighborhood takes time and effort.

There are so many things to organize and think about in such a short space of time. Fortunately, there are only a few things you need to keep in mind while moving house.

When to Notify the Movers

The stress of moving house can be avoided by making sure that everything is prepared before the day of the move. But what should you do if you have hired a moving company to help with your move?

The first important thing to do is to make sure that you have given them notice. The movers will need to know how much time they have before the move and when they are arriving at your destination.

It’s also important that you tell your movers about any and all valuables or anything valuable that will be in the home during the move, as this will provide them with an opportunity to take extra care of it. Lastly, find out where they would like all items stored and labeled, so it’s easier for them as well as yourself when doing this on your own.

You May need Extra storage

One thing that can really ease the stress is if you know that you have enough space to store your stuff during the moving process. Whether this is in the form of extra storage or just bigger storage spaces, it will help to stop things piling up. Extra storage could be a lifesaver. Especially when you’re moving, it’s always better to be prepared and know where to find more space for your belongings.

Cleaning After You Move

It takes a lot of time and effort to start with, and it can sometimes be quite stressful. In order to make the process easier, it is important to be organized. This means keeping your mind on all the things that need doing during the move but also making sure you have the right equipment for the job.

One piece of equipment in particular that can really help with this is a professional-grade vacuum cleaner. However, after moving house, most people stop using their vacuum cleaner because they don’t have enough time or they have just moved into a new place where the carpet is not dirty yet.

However, when you stop using your vacuum cleaner after moving house, you are missing out on all of its benefits!

Redirect Your Mail

When you move to a new house, you should always redirect your mail to the new address. This can be done by contacting your current post office and informing them of the move.

The post office will then redirect any incoming mail that is addressed to your old address to your new one. They will also send you a confirmation letter.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/house-waterfront-living-rustic-2736251/

Making the most of your waterfront property is as simple as making a few small changes. Upgrading the decor in a few areas can turn your home from basic to beautiful. Whether you’re looking at staging homes for sale or you just want to upgrade your existing beach house, here are a few tips to help you get started.

• Use the views

Living next to a lake or beach has so many benefits but one of the biggest is the incredible views. For anyone who’s been living in the city, being able to have a constant view of nature is a major luxury.

Make sure to open up your blinds and windows to show off the beauty outside. If you’re choosing to paint before you’re selling, choose bright colors for rooms that get the most sun. It’s also a good idea to do some landscaping to make sure the views aren’t obscured by any overgrown trees. The view is the main selling point so you want to highlight it in every room if you can.

• Bring the beauty inside

Repurposing a few design elements from outdoors gives anyone walking through a reminder of the beauty that’s always waiting for them outside.

For beach homes, try using some driftwood casually placed on a mantle or sided table for a nice touch of the beach. Seashells and sand are another popular decor idea but make sure to use them in small doses or small details like a simple black and white beach photo in an empty hallway or scallop shell drawer handle for your bathroom.

Use the colors that are found outside your window to add another touch of the water. Neutral tones are always a great idea but sand, seafoam green, and light blues are also the perfect color to add some luxury to the space.

• Don’t Go Overboard

We’ve already mentioned not to go too far with the nautical theme for your home if you plan on selling. Avoid bright red, navy blue, and anything that looks like it was once used on an actual boat when you start to stage your home to sell.

If you already have the items around and you don’t know where to put them then at the very least keep them all situated tastefully in one room. You want the home to look and feel like a house beside the water, not like a houseboat.

• Keep it Light

Waterfront homes are perfect for anyone who loves the freedom and peace you get from living near a body of water. Ditch the heavy drapes, the bulky couches, and any bulky rugs the home has and switch everything out for a lighter option. Multiple see-through drapes, wicker furniture, and woven bamboo rugs are all great alternatives.

You should also be mindful of the wall space and how much of it is being used. Keeping the walls open while putting photographs or art gathered on one shelf gives the room a lighter feeling while still letting you add that personal touch.

• Make some Adjustments

One of the most used areas in waterfront homes that are often overlooked when you buy is the mudroom. With the water outside you’ll have guests and family members going in and out all the time so prepare an area just for that. Use a closet near the most used door and place some shelving inside to store towels, sunscreen, and whatever else you’d need for a trip out to the water. Add a hanging laundry basket on the inside of the door to keep everything organized and keep piles of wet clothes and towels off of your floors.

• Take it Outside

Don’t forget to keep the outside feeling updated and welcoming so people can spend their evenings outdoors. Adding lights and seating that are weather-friendly will make the house feel like it’s extended outdoors.

If you have the space and it’s ok with your city’s bylaws then look into installing a fire pit. Everyone loves to spend time gathered around the fire when the sun goes down and it adds a focal point to any yard that looks disjointed or empty.

There are so many ways to spruce up a waterfront property and the most important thing is to keep it as simple as possible. It’s hard to compete with the amazing views of the water so keeping the interior open, spacious and light will give you the biggest visual impact.