Articles Tagged "Moving"

Depending on how much stuff you own and how far you're moving, moving expenses can add up quickly. Our real estate agents know that many individuals feel financially unprepared because they underestimated their moving costs. When calculating your moving budget, here are a few moving expenses to account for. 

1. Materials to Pack Your Belongings
   At a minimum, you'll need moving boxes, tape, and packing materials to pack up the contents of your home. While you can potentially procure moving boxes for free, they may not be the quality you're looking for, or it may be too time-consuming to get enough boxes for your whole home. If you're transporting extremely heavy furniture or valuable items, you'll need more specialized moving products (like furniture sliders, protective covers, and corner savers) to ensure these pieces survive the move unscathed. 
   
   

2. Moving Insurance
   Ensure that you're properly reimbursed for items that are lost or damaged during your move by purchasing moving insurance. While movers often have valuation coverage, this isn't the same as moving insurance. Valuation coverage states a specific amount that the moving company will provide you if your belongings are damaged during the move. It may be a specified amount per item or per pound. The compensation might not be sufficient to actually replace your stuff, and there may be exclusions that limit compensation for specific items or prevent you from receiving compensation under certain circumstances. Moving insurance offers more extensive coverage that will be sufficient to replace your items. 
   
   

3. Storage Costs
   To prepare your home to add to the list of Dallas homes for sale, you'll need to declutter and store overly personal pieces so potential buyers can better envision themselves living in your home. Many homeowners rent storage units to conveniently house their non-seasonal items, personal decor, and other pieces while their home is listed. 
   
   

4. Cleaning Expenses
   If you're currently renting, you'll need to clean your unit when you move out. Most leases require you to leave your rental in a specific condition when you move out, so plan on budgeting for additional cleaning supplies or a professional cleaner to clean the unit. Or, if you're listing your home with other Fort Worth homes for sale, you'll need to meticulously clean it so that it looks its best for prospective buyers. Plan on budgeting for carpet cleaning, pressure cleaning for your home's exterior spaces, and deep cleaning for the interior areas. 
   
   

5. Expenses for Transporting Your Family Members
   Though a short move may not require travel expenses, if you're moving a long distance, you need to consider how you'll transport your family (including your pets) to their new home. Your budget might need to include plane tickets, extra gasoline, hotels, or a pet transport service. 
   
   

6. Costs to Set Up Your New Life
   If your move requires you to change your utility providers, make sure to budget for security deposits and equipment and connection fees. 
   
   

7. New Furniture and Home Supplies
   Even if you're moving from a fully furnished home, you'll likely need a few new things for your new home, like trashcans, bathroom items (shower curtains, rings, and liners), pantry staples, trash cans, and toiletries. If you're moving to a larger home, adjust your budget to accommodate a few larger pieces. 
   
   

Ready to move to your next home? Contact us to get started!

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau

·         Urban Edge

After weeks or months of browsing Dallas homes for sale, visiting open houses, negotiating with sellers, and dealing with the exhausting relocation tasks, you're finally in your new home. It's time to make your new place feel like home and settle into your new surroundings. For some people, this could fall into place when your new neighbors see your moving truck, but in most cases, you have to put in work to get acquainted with your new surroundings. All it takes is a positive attitude and willingness to make it work out. Here is our real estate agent's list of 5 top strategies to help you get familiar with your new neighborhood.

1. Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors
   Getting to know the people who live around you can help you feel settled in your new environment and your new routine. Within the first days of your move, it's a good idea to introduce yourself to the people next door. Tell them you are a newcomer and ask questions about your new neighborhood. You'd be surprised at how friendly your neighbors are. Be polite and keep your first interaction short. If you need recommendations or useful information about your new area, approach your neighbors again, offer some homemade cookies, and start a friendly conversation. 
   
   
2. Take Frequent Walks
   The most straightforward piece of advice is sometimes one of the most effective. If you want to get to know your neighborhood, go see it for yourself. Taking frequent walks is an excellent de-stressor during or after the unpacking process, and it will also give you a chance to observe daily life in the community. Take your children to the nearest playground or go to the nearest gym to meet other parents or fitness enthusiasts. If you have a dog, take them for a walk in the nearest park.
   
   
3. Join a Local Club or Community Organization
   One of the best ways to settle into your new neighborhood is to immerse yourself in the community. You can join local clubs, charities, and other community organizations, depending on your values, interests, and skills. This is a great way to meet like-minded people from the neighborhood and make friends. A polite introduction is all that's needed. Volunteering is also a great way to take an active part in bettering the neighborhood and learn about some of the issues that shape the community.
   
   
4. Find the Locals' Favorites Spots
   Dining and entertainment hangouts can be a key to the true neighborhood vibe. Thanks to online resources such as Google and Yelp, it's easier than ever to find the best restaurants, bars, local attractions, museums, recreation centers, entertainment venues, and more. This will help you meet people from the neighborhood and feel like one of them.
   
   
5. Shop Locally
   You can definitely find a box store in the area or buy your things online, but that little corner shop is something you'll find right in the neighborhood. So, whether you need to make a quick trip to the local café for a much-needed caffeine hit or a visit to the hardware for a few nails, you'll need to know where all the stores are. Shopping locally helps you engage with your new neighborhood while bolstering it at the same time.

As stressful as moving can be, getting to know your new neighborhood is an amazing opportunity to welcome new friends, find new passions, and explore the world with a fresh set of eyes. Still looking at Fort Worth homes for sale and aren't sure if you've found your dream spot? Our team can help. Contact us today for more information.

Moving is a hectic transition for anyone to make, whether you're relocating across town or across the state. You have to arrange the details, pack everything up, stick to schedules, transport your family to the new place, live in chaos, and figure out where everything is. It can be challenging to handle all the tasks and still be sensitive to your child's experience as well. Our real estate agents have got some tips to make a move easier for the whole family.

1. Plan Ahead
   Planning your move ahead of time can make the process a lot easier and minimize anxiety for everyone. You'll be able to hire a moving company, get plenty of time to pack and settle in the new home before big events like going to the new school. This will reduce your stress and also give your kids enough time to adjust to the idea of moving.
   
   
2. Talk to Them
   Kids can pick up on those whispered conversations, so the sooner you tell them, the better. Discuss the move when things get obvious – you're getting ready for the yard sale, you're showing the house, or you're starting to pack. Let your kids know where you're going, why you're moving, and when you're moving. Acknowledge their sad feelings and create a safe space to talk about it.
   
   
3. Visit the New Neighborhood
   Once your kids understand what's going to happen, get them excited about the move. If you can, drive over and show them around. Find the nearest park, ice cream shop, comic book store, the best pizza place, or whatever their favorite things might be. If you've chosen a school or daycare in your new neighborhood, take the kids there for a visit.
   
   
4. Get a Sitter on Moving Day
   No matter how organized you are, the noise and chaos of moving day is no place for small children. Also, with things being packed and moved, you'll be too distracted to give your child your full attention. Get a babysitter or have your child stay with a family member or friend for the day to cut down on stress and emotional outbursts.
   
   
5. Delegate When Possible
   In the interest of time, you may be tempted to take care of every aspect of the move yourself. However, giving your child age-appropriate control can help them feel safer and calmer about the whole process. Keeping them occupied will help you focus on other things. Put your preschooler in charge of packing up their toys, books, or games. You may also want to have them pack a "comfort bag" filled with their favored bedtime toys and other important items for your trip. A teen might help with packing up their room and other light items in the rest of the house.
   
   
6. Try to Stick to Routines
   Children fear the unknown, and changes can trigger fears and anxieties. Keeping things as consistent as possible before, during, and after the move can give your child have something to focus on in the midst of changes. Keep your kids to their regular bedtimes and establish the same routines in your new home.

Still looking for your dream home among Dallas homes for sale? Our team can help you find one to call your own and make your experience easy and convenient. Contact us today to get started.

Wouldn't it be nice to live in a city where you can have it all, without breaking the bank? While so many of the most popular cities to call home come with a cost of living that's significantly higher than average, that isn't the case when you live in Plano, TX. Plano offers all of the benefits of the best cities, with an affordable cost of living that makes it easy to enjoy all the city has to offer. Our real estate agents have all the details on the affordable cost of living in Plano and why it's such a great place to call home.

• Plano Is an Affordable City with so Much to Offer
  According to REALTOR® Magazine, Plano has the 15th lowest cost of living of any city in the country. The rankings are calculated based on the combination of utilities, food, essential services, and the monthly cost of living. Add it all up, and Plano costs about $1,750 per month to live, which puts it on par with cities like Virginia Beach, VA, and Tulsa, OK. That is less than half the cost of some of the most expensive cities in the country, like San Francisco ($4,315 per month), New York City ($4,178 per month), and Boston ($3,426 per month).

• Why Choose a City with a Low Cost of Living?
  When you shop for Plano homes for sale, you can be confident that you will make the most of your income in your new city. A lower cost of living impacts life in so many positive ways and may even influence your home search. When you know you will have lower monthly costs, you may be able to buy "more home for your money" and dedicate more of your budget to your home. Even after you close the deal on your home, a low cost of living leaves more money to customize your property and keep up with maintenance needs without tapping into emergency funds.

• Plano Offers an Affordable Cost of Living Combined with Excellent Income
  When you analyze many of the cities with the lowest cost of living, you will find that those cities also have a comparatively low-income rate compared to more expensive cities. That is not the case in Plano, where you will find an affordable lifestyle combined with income numbers that actually beat many more expensive cities. The average household income for Plano residents is actually more than $88,000, which checks in more than $30,000 above the average city in the United States. 

• How Will You Make the Most of Your Money in Plano?
  Ultimately, the benefits of strong income numbers and an affordable cost of living depend on the individual. Do you dream of buying a home that you can customize to your heart's content? Would you like to boost your savings for a rainy day or put away money to send your kids to a great college? What about making the most of your downtime, with extra money for entertainment, travel, and exploring the city? When you live in Plano, you can truly have the best of both worlds.

Are you searching for a vibrant, affordable city where you can make the most of your money? Our team is here to help you find the perfect home. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Plano, TX area.

Moving into a smaller home can be advantageous on many levels depending on your circumstances and reasons why you're choosing to do so. But it's not right for everyone, and depending on your particular situation, it may actually be more of a burden than an advantage. 

Our real estate agents have put together this list of five questions to ask before downsizing.

1. Can I afford to downsize?
   It makes logical sense that moving into a smaller home will be cheaper, whether in monthly mortgage payments or in utilities and upkeep. But doing so can be somewhat misleading, especially if you're in an area where home prices are rising.
   
   If you've lived in your home long enough to stack up some substantial equity, and you can either swap payment for payment or use the proceeds from the sale of your existing home to purchase your new home outright, then downsizing makes sense.
   
   Where downsizing can get you in trouble is when the home you're purchasing costs you far more, or your payments stretch out beyond the timeline you've established.
   
   
2. Will I pay capital gains tax?
   Along the same lines as above, selling a home you purchased two or three decades ago will likely be far more valuable now than it was when you purchased it. As a result, you may be on the hook for the proceeds from selling your existing home.
   
   The IRS allows for exemptions in capital gains of $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for those married filing jointly. Anything above those thresholds will incur a 15% capital gains tax, plus, depending on what tax bracket you fall under, your taxable income could be far greater.
   
   It's best to consult a financial professional or accountant if you think the sale of your home could incur capital gains tax.
   
   
3. Am I using the space in my current home?
   Downsizing usually comes to mind when homeowners realize they're not using all of the space in their home. Naturally, you want a home that feels comfortable and has adequate space, but a home with cavernous living areas and empty rooms may seem like a little much.
   
   If this sounds like your situation, then it's probably time to downsize. Take into account all of the things you'll be moving and precisely what you want in a future home, then start shopping!
   
   
4. Am I ready to downsize?
   Readiness to downsize is a function mainly of emotion and willingness to start fresh in a smaller dwelling.
   
   Emotions can run high when looking to move out of a home you've made a life in, but rest assured that many more memories will be made in your new home. When it comes to willingness, you'll likely have to part with some furniture, possessions, and generally get ready to live in a smaller space. Coming to that point can take some time, but you'll grow comfortable with the idea of living in, and with, less.
   
   
5. Are my costs mounting?
   Higher utility bills, growing tax rates, and increasing home repairs may be the thing that takes you over the edge when deciding to downsize.
   
   All of these things will factor into your fixed income later in life (if you're looking to retire) and can potentially become a burden if you don't have some financial flexibility and options at your disposal. If your costs are getting to be more than you'd like, then downsizing is right for you.

If you're looking for Dallas homes for sale, then contact us to speak to one of our agents to start shopping for your perfect forever home.

McKesson Corp., the nation's largest pharmaceutical distributor, announced last week that it will relocate its headquarters from San Francisco to Las Colinas in April.  The company, which delivers prescription drugs and medical supplies, has more than 75,000 employees globally and had revenue of $208 billion last year. It ranks sixth on the Fortune 500 list, behind only Walmart, Exxon Mobil, Berkshire Hathaway, Apple and UnitedHealth Group.   With its move, McKesson will become the second-largest company by revenue to be based in North Texas, surpassing AT&T Inc. The largest, Exxon Mobil, is also headquartered in Las Colinas.   Dallas-Fort Worth had 22 Fortune 500 company headquarters this year. That'll grow next year with the addition of McKesson and another California transplant, San Francisco-based Core-Mark Holding Co., which is relocating to Westlake.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/health-care/2018/11/30/medical-industry-giant-mckesson-move-headquarters-irving