10 Ways To Prepare For A Stress Free Move
1. Counsel the kids. Communication is important for any relationship. To provide closure for the kids and reassurance that they can continue to participate in the activities that they enjoy is important. Whether they play baseball or skating, hobbies, lessons, clubs they’re enrolled in, show them where they can continue that in the new neighbourhood. For the smaller children, let them know where all the parks and playgrounds are going to be near your new home. Call places that provide the lessons your kids are interested in and have info for your child. You’ll get the cool mom award because you’re showing them that you care enough to prioritize their needs.
2. Free moving boxes. Considering moving boxes are made out of cardboard, how are they so expensive? Check out freecycle.org., a sharing forum for groups of people to share things they want/do not want. Recently moved people are very willing to give their moving boxes away.
3. Know your movers! Before you decide on the moving company that will transport your possessions, shop around, get to know them, get some quotes. You should personally meet them/the company and research their track record. Get some referrals. Your movers should be professional and be respectful to you and your belongings. If you’re not comfortable with them, it’s not worth the headache when something uncomfortable happens.
4. Pack wisely. Packing is an art. Packing breakables in between a layer of blankets, towels, bed sheets in a box will prevent breaking (Dishes, glassware, vases, etc.). Making use of food containers to pack dry foods will help save space as well (sugar, flour, cereals, salt, etc).
5. Mo’ money, Mo’ problems. Moving to a new city can lead to a set of problems that were unforeseen, especially if your bank isn’t in the new town. Make sure the bank you use is near your new house.
6. First Aid moving box. Make sure you have a box dedicated for the actual move day. This box should be filled with things that you will need on moving day. Such as a coffee maker, coffee, snacks, hair ties, tools: box cutters, screw drivers; toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, hand soap, and trash bags. Make sure it’s labelled “Moving Day” and make sure it’s the last to go on the truck and the first to come off.
7. Entertainment. If you are moving great distances, make sure there are some fun places on the way you can stop, relax and have some fun. Let the kids decide where they want to stop. Plan for pit stop activities for the family to release some anxiety: a football, Frisbee, bubbles, or cards could do the trick. They should be lightweight and easy to store in the rest of the boxes.
8. Be organized. Have all the paper work you need put in a binder for quick referencing. Important phone numbers, utility company information, hotel reservations, contracts, health information, movers information, etc.
9. Get your kids involved. Let your kids decide how they want to decorate their room with posters, wallpaper or paint colours. Giving them decision power will help them enjoy and look forward to their move and help the kids settle in faster.
10.Organization/Coordination. Use bright labels to mark boxes that need to be unpacked first. Put labels on all 4 sides of the box so that you can easily see which box you want to unpack next. Prioritize the essentials so that you can go about your day easier and adapt faster to your new environment. Dishes, utensils, alarm clock, bedding, etc.
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“Steven Ho was extremely professional , considerate and very helpful in many factors in selling my home. I was greatly impressed with his knowledge and input on improving my home for the sale. I was most impressed with Steven Hos advertising and people skills. He has a great game plan and was well calm and collected and beyond prepared to answer any questions that were concerning to me. I felt very comfortable putting my full trust in him from the beginning to sell my home.”
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“We were impressed by Steven's outstanding customer service. His responsiveness to our questions/communications put us at ease with our house selling/purchase which was stressful at times. Steven took care of all the details when we needed to list our house, from professional photos/virtual tour to staging. He is also a great negotiator who was looking out for our interest to get the best possible deals for us (both selling and buying). We would highly recommend Steven to anyone for their real estate needs.”
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“Steve was a fantastic agent to work with! He is very upbeat, positive and friendly...he made sure that our needs were taken care of at all times. He was knowledgeable and trustworthy which made the entire process of selling our home convenient and hassle free. We felt like Steve truly listened to us and valued what we had to say. He never pressured us into making decisions when we weren't ready. We would recommend him to friends and family with confidence that they will have the same great experience that we had. We were able to sell our home well over asking...which speaks to his fantastic abilities to sell homes! Thanks Steve!”
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“We were introduced to Steve more than 5 years ago when we were looking to buy a new construction condo for investment. Steve was was very helpful in advising and finding us the right developer and building, understanding our needs and wants. To this day we are very happy with his recommendation. Based on this very positive experience, we asked Steve to find us a condo for our own living since we wanted to downsize. He was very patient with us taking us for numerous showings in various parts of the city. This process took over 3 years and with his broad market knowledge and advice he was always ready to point us the pros and cons of each property. When he finally found us the unit we really liked, he did a great job of negotiating the right price for us. It was a highly positive experience from start to finish. Steve is very friendly, approachable, easy to deal with and communicate. He works very hard for his clients. We are very pleased with his services and highly recommend him to anyone.”
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“Steven Ho was very good to work with, he was patient, efficient and very knowledgeable. Even though it started off as a business relationship I can see it growing into something bigger, our kids love him and he made working with him very easy. I would definitely recommend him to my friends and family.”
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“Our experience buying our first home with Steven Ho was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and accessible. We would highly recommend his services!”
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“Steven Ho made our first home purchase experience extremely satisfying. He was there to offer his helpful insight with all the properties we viewed. When it came to the actual negotiations he was able to get us a deal below the asking price when it was a seller's market! I highly recommend Steven to anyone especcially first time home buyers”
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“Mr Steven Ho has demonstrated professionalism during the whole progress of the deal. He is patient, detailed and passion to helping me for reaching, offerings, closing and follow up all in order to compete the deal. Very appreciated for his working attitudes and wish to contact him again for my next purchase.”
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“Thank you for the successful sale of my home. Steven Ho presented himself in a professional calm manner, most knowledgeable and considerate of my needs. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and guidance through the negotiations. I sincerely wish you all the success in the future. I am pleased to recommend Steven without hesistation.”
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“Overall I had a great experience. Steven Ho was with me through the entire process, we looked at over a dozen places, and we had great conversations about what I needed and was looking for. He was always available, informative, punctual, flexible, and professional. We also had a great time on the road. Buying your first home can be very stressful but Steven's humor and positive attitude helped make the situation more comfortable and enjoyable. I have recommended Steven Ho to friends and family and he will be my broker the next time I buy/sell a house.”
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“I used Steve because I see him multiple times a week and thus, have a full understanding of his character which is quite high. Honest, with high morals. Focuses on his clients needs rather than trying to sell the highest price property. Very hard working and almost always available.”
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“Steven Ho is friendly and a pleasant man. He is very knowledgeable and expertise with the field of real estate. He helped me a lot whatever I gave a call to ask him even it was very minor thing. He will call me within a day and answered what I really want to know. He is so enthusiastic and very careful for the client needs. Therefore there is no problem I will recommend to my friends and continuous the relationship with him.”
Nice post! Really interesting Information for stress-free move.