Say Hello To Downsizing Magic!

Living in a home for 20, 30, or 40+ years means moving will be no small undertaking. We’ll help get you moved in a few easy steps! Do you find yourself facing these challenges: If… More

Unleashing The Secrets Of Gardening Along The California Coast

From its spectacular beaches and awe-inspiring vistas to its temperate maritime climate, there’s plenty to love about California’s coast. However, gardening enthusiasts know that it takes more than perfect weather to create a thriving garden.… More

What You Can Expect from the Spring Housing Market

As the spring housing market kicks off, you likely want to know what you can expect this season when it comes to buying or selling a house. While there are multiple factors causing some uncertainty, including the conflict overseas, rising inflation, and the first rate increase from the Federal Reserve in over three years—the housing market seems to be relatively immune. Here’s a look at what experts say you can expect this spring.

What is a Senior and Specialty Move Manager?

Originally posted on MovingGamePlans.com.

When a family needs assistance with an older family member, Move Managers step in to play a very important role.

5 Things to Consider Before Storing Your Belongings

Originally posted on MovingGamePlans.com.

Whether you’re uncluttering for an incoming tenant or house-sitter, prepping for a quick home sale, putting things in order before a big remodel, or storing inventory for your small business, there are many reasons for storing some or all of your belongings away from home.

What’s in Your Moving Budget?

Originally posted on MovingGamePlans.com

Does the thought of moving overwhelm you? You’re not alone! According to Move.com, over 30 million people in the U.S. move yearly—and unless you do it often, it is always a logistical challenge.

Plus, the cost of moving can be very expensive. If your employer is paying for your move: Congratulations! For the rest of us, some research and planning is necessary to fit a move into our budgets.

To Downsize or Not to Downsize

Originally posted on MovingGamePlans.com

Is that old cheese tray—the one still sitting at the back of the cabinet you stuffed it in 7 years ago—really worth keeping?

When you’re busy focusing on the minutiae of a move, one thing that is often overlooked is the value of getting rid of unused items.

5 Things You Need to Know About Moving with Pets

Originally posted on MovingGamePlans.com

Moving to a new home can be stressful for everyone! While your two-legged family is feeling the stress of new jobs, new schools for the kids, and a whole new neighborhood of strangers to meet, remember that Fido & Bella are feeling pressures too!

Animals dread seeing your suitcase come out, even if your trips are short. Imagine what they think when all of your belongings (and theirs) are packed into boxes and carried away, and the home they love gets emptied. To them, the house sounds different, smells different, looks different, and they probably don’t understand what’s happening. They may even be terrified of being abandoned, especially if they’ve ever been rescued from a troubled past.

Here are 5 ways to ensure your pets’ safety and comfort during your next move

Packing up Your Home

Animals—especially cats—are not fond of change. You can help your furry friends adjust to their move by keeping them in a quiet, familiar space with the door shut, or by bringing your empty boxes into the house for a few days before you start packing them. This way, they’ll have a chance to familiarize themselves with the new scents, and they won’t become overwhelmed by everything happening at once.

What’s in Your Moving Budget?

Originally posted at MovingGamePlans.com: https://movinggameplans.com/whats-in-your-moving-budget

Does the thought of moving overwhelm you? You’re not alone! According to Move.com, over 30 million people in the U.S. move yearly. Unless you do it often, it is always a logistical challenge.

Plus, the cost of moving can be very expensive. If your employer is paying for your move: Congratulations! For the rest of us, some research and planning are necessary to fit a move into our budgets.

That said, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Moving a Few Things Locally

For young adults just getting started, renting a truck from Penske or U-Haul—or hitting up friends with a truck—can both be great solutions…as long as you’re not moving too far. 

For local moves, U-Haul’s In-Town® truck rental or Home Depot’s Load ‘n Go are good options. Their rates start at $19.95 for a one-day rental (75 minutes for the Load ‘n Go) with pick up and drop off to the same location on the same day. You can always purchase additional miles or days if you need them.

Penske also offers a great solution through Home Depot, and Penske has lift-gates on some of their trucks. So, although this upgrade is a bit more expensive, it can make your move quicker—and your friends happier! : ) 

No matter which moving truck you choose to use, don’t forget to ask about discounts! AAA and Military discounts are quite common, and Penske offers a 10% student discount with no underage surcharges for renters 18-23 years old. 

Moving to a Nearby City

Many people are now opting for a hybrid DIY move: this is where a container is dropped off at your current home so you can load it yourself.

You can keep the container for as long as it takes you to load it, then when you’re ready, it’s picked up and delivered to your new home for you to unload. You can even store it (loaded) with the container company, until you’re ready! Just beware: if you use this option, make sure you won’t need anything out of your container until it’s delivered to your new home because it will likely be stored many miles away.

PODS offer a great hybrid option: They’re available in over 40 states, plus some Canadian Provinces, and they’re fantastic people to work with! (Plus, it’s cool to watch them offload the PODS in your driveway.)

U-Pack is another company worth considering: Their unique business model allows them to partner with larger freight carriers who move your belongings in an efficient way. Make sure to check out their additional savings opportunities. 

Moving to Another State

If you’re moving out of state, weigh your options very carefully because renting a truck may be more much expensive than you’d hoped. When you add up the cost of the rental + tolls + fees + gas + time away from work, a container or moving company may be a better choice. Also, the headaches involved in long distance driving, especially if you have children or pets, may not be worth the few dollars you save by doing it all yourself. 

Play with some online calculators to get an idea of cost, then reach out to at least 3 moving companies before making your final choice. Depending on their schedule, one may be much less expensive than the others. 

Other Helpful Hints

Contact your auto insurance provider to see if your liability coverage will transfer to a large truck rental. This could save you from purchasing separate coverage from the rental company.

If you’re flexible with your timeframe, you may be able to get a better deal. For example, if you can delay your move to October-April and/or in the middle of the week or month, your rates may be even lower. 

And don’t forget to organize your move with our simple 7-step plan! Designed for individuals opting for a do-it-yourself (DIY) move, Moving Game Plans provides a unique visual system that organizes and simplifies the packing, unloading and unpacking process, saving the end-user hours (if not days) of precious time.

Learn More

Why It’s Still Safe to Sell Your Home

If you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there’s good news. Real estate professionals are highly experienced in how to sell houses safely during the pandemic. Over the last year, agents have adopted new technologies and safety measures designed to keep you safe. And experts say these practices are here to stay. As Bob Goldberg, CEO of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it:

Strawberry Fever!

Living in Aromas, CA, I drive past Driscoll’s Strawberries several times a week. When I do, I am reminded how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area and fertile climate. 

Just one and a half miles away from one of the finest berry growers, I KNOW that I should have no trouble growing my own. The weather is the same. The humidity is the same. The micro-climate is the same.

So WHY were my plants not producing at the rate I expected??

The Value of Hardscaping

If you’re not familiar with the term hardscaping, it’s something that goes hand-in-hand with your landscaping. Basically, it’s everything that is not a living part of your front and back yards. Your front walkway, back patio, outdoor kitchen, and water features are all examples of hardscaping.

Millennials: Is It Time to Buy a Bigger Home?

In today’s housing market, all eyes are on millennials. Not only are millennials the largest generation, but they’re also currently between 25 and 40 years old. These are often considered prime homebuying years when many people begin to form their own households and invest in real estate. If you’re like many millennials who are spending much more time at home these days, you may have a growing need for more space or upgraded features, making moving more desirable than ever.