Packing can be the most time-consuming part of moving, but doing it right can mean the difference between a successful move or a disaster, especially if you’re moving belongings that are fragile or of sentimental value. Here are some pack hacks to ease the process.

Preparations Make Perfect

Before you start the packing process, throw away or donate items you don’t need. Decluttering will help you make sure you’re only taking the essentials, which can significantly cut down on packing time and help you save on costs. Toss or donate clothes you haven’t worn in a year or more. Take dimensions of your new house and get rid of excess furniture now. Think of your move as a fresh start and use it as an opportunity to part with items from the past that are no longer useful or meaningful to you at this juncture in your life. Enlist a friend to help you be thorough and honest during this process.

The Clothes Trick

Want to pack your clothes easily and cost-effectively? Instead of packing them one by one, group them together in bunches on hangers and cover them with garbage bags. Use a rubber band, elastic, or string to keep the hangers together. Now you can move them from your current home right into your new closet.

Shoes

The easy and obvious way to pack shoes is to throw them into a box and see what happens. When you do this, however, you leave your footwear vulnerable to mold, and they may come out shabbier than when they went in. Before packing them, wipe your shoes clean, wrap them individually in paper, and tie them together so they’ll be paired up when it’s time to unpack.

The Right Box

Did you know there are different types of boxes for moving specific items? Some boxes are built stronger (such as those designed for dishes) for heavier items, and some are appliance-specific. Getting the right box for the right item can help prevent damage and loss. This is especially true when moving a flat-screen TV. Many moving companies and hardware stores have flat-screen boxes specifically made for moving a TV, if you haven’t saved your old one.

The Vertical Dish Trick

When packing dishes, instead of stacking them on top of each other, place them vertically side by side, after you wrap them in packing paper. This trick also works with books and picture frames, and it saves a lot of space. Remember to label your dish boxes “fragile” in large, red lettering.

Watch Your Weight

Place heavier objects into smaller boxes so they’re easier to lift, and make sure to reinforce them with extra tape. Lighter items, such as linens or children’s toys, can be packed in larger boxes.

Fill to Capacity

Use all the space available in each box so there aren’t any gaps or spaces. You can fill in empty spots with bubble wrap, towels, or paper as needed. This will reduce the likelihood of boxes crumpling or caving in.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Realty Executives International.  This guest post was written by PODS®. PODS® makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Your home’s landscape and exterior space is the first thing that potential buyers notice. As they pull up to view your home, it is important that you are giving them a great first impression. These are a few great landscaping renovations that you can make to improve the chances of selling your home.

Power Wash Exterior Surfaces

A thorough, deep cleaning can go a long way in terms of improving the value and appeal of your home. Not only does power washing improve your home’s curb appeal, but it also can prevent mold from growing and keep your gutters in good working condition.

The National Association of REALTORS® estimates that power washing the exterior of your house can add between $10,000 and $15,000 to your home’s value, making it a great improvement choice. The most important exterior features to focus on include the siding, sidewalks, driveways, and any patios or decks.

Maintain Outdoor Greenery

Overgrown bushes and trees not only block the exterior of the house that you have worked so hard to improve, but they can also reduce outdoor views from the inside. Planting new trees can also appeal to homebuyers. Large trees tend to be low maintenance, yet they provide many home advantages including reduced energy bills, outdoor shade, and improved air quality.

Keeping your grass green and trimmed is another great practice for landscaping maintenance. It might be useful to consider the services of a local professional landscaping company while your home is active on the market.

Create an Outdoor Entertainment Space

Outdoor entertainment spaces can increase demand, thus increasing the resale value of your home. Even designing a small patio space with seating is a great “Do It Yourself” project that can increase your home’s appeal to potential buyers. There are outdoor space projects available for all budgets, with many housing trends using concrete and colored staining methods.

An outdoor entertainment space with shade or a screened covering is also likely to be a popular trend this year.  The National Association of Landscape Professionals lists climate cognizant landscaping, such as pergolas and retractable outdoor spaces as one of the top resale trends of 2018.

Clean Up Flower Beds

Bright and clean flower beds encourage people to feel at home. When people feel comfortable, they are better able to imagine themselves living there. When flower beds are messy and unmaintained, potential homeowners may be reminded how much work they will have to do upon moving in.

Freshen up the mulch, plant some brightly colored flowers, and remove any sprouting weeds. Colorful flower gardens are also expected to be a top 2018 landscaping trend. Even better are low maintenance flowers like Old Gold Junipers and black-eyed Susan’s. Sunfinity sunflowers are a popular choice as a brightly colored flower that is easy to maintain year-round.

Upgrade Irrigation

Upgrading a home’s irrigation system is often overlooked, but, may improve resale value. It is important to maintain and sustain your landscaping improvements. An upgraded irrigation system can help you do just that. Irrigation systems also get the most water efficiency, which can be a huge selling point saving buyers both money and time when it comes to yard maintenance.

Install Exterior Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting illuminates the exterior of your home. It can improve curb appeal, functionality, and the safety of your home. Use your exterior landscape lighting to highlight the most important features of the home including the front door, windows, and walkways. Consider things like the light’s color temperature, effects, and wattages when choosing your exterior landscape lighting.

Your home’s landscaping affects its curb appeal. The first impression that you give potential buyers will influence their desire to purchase and the offer amount that they are willing to make. Upgrades that improve the landscape can increase your resale value and sell your home faster in the market.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Realty Executives International.

This post was written for Realty Executives by Heather Hardy. Heather is an avid writer who has contributed to numerous blogs and internet news sources.  While she writes on a variety of topics, her specialties include real estate, home improvement, and travel. After obtaining two degrees, Heather has found her passion in writing content that improves both readability and knowledge.

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Downsizing is hardly a dirty word these days, especially as Baby Boomers begin to question the size of their home, and more Millennials are finally making their way into the world. Home ownership is a good investment at any size, and if you’ve ever wanted to free up some cash for the rest of life’s joys (travel? new hobbies? investing?), downsizing can be a great way to rightsize your budget. Here are seven ways downsizing can foster a little more financial freedom:

1. Utility costs. If your gas and electric bills have been climbing year over year, consider the pleasant surprise of heating and cooling 1,200 sq. ft. instead of 3,500. Controlling the climate in empty spare bedrooms is pointless when you don’t need the room. What’s more, you can count on fewer houseguests with less space, and this, in turn, can decrease utility costs.

2. Maintenance costs. How big is that lawn? How many rooms need to be refreshed with a coat of paint? How many windows do you need to wash, and what about the size of that driveway that must be repaired and sealed?

3. Insurance. Your insurance bill is based in large part on your appraisal, and if your new home is smaller, your insurance bill should shrink as well. (This can vary based on location and levels of coverage, of course, but you would be hard pressed to insure less for more!)

4. Property taxes. Much like insurance, tax rates tend to be based on a percentage of assessed value. Here’s a few more dollars back into your wallet.

5. Repairs. How many toilets do you need to have fixed? Appliances? Light fixtures to keep lit? The smaller home has fewer leaking faucets and a smaller roof to replace. Your overall spend on maintenance goes down when you have less home to maintain.

6. Furniture. Downsizing is a perfect opportunity to sell excess furniture and find keep only those pieces well-loved or essential for your new smaller space.

7. Hosting and entertaining. When you’ve got that sprawling home, your place is ground zero for out-of-town guests, relatives, and holiday parties. As your space shrinks, so does your annual hosting and entertaining budget. Besides, if you really want to throw a shin-dig, you can take some of that downsizing cash and pick a perfect venue.

Looking to downsize and redirect that extra cash? Get in touch:

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com