METCALF MOVING BLOG
6 Tips for Buying a Home on a Tight Budget
Buying a home can be challenging whether you’re a first-time buyer or just operating on a tight budget. Knowing how to prioritize your spending and how to avoid going over budget is essential. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Know What You Can Afford
Establish a home-buying budget to decide how much you can afford. The 28% rule says you shouldn’t spend more than 28% of your gross income on your mortgage each month, while some experts recommend that home buyers can safely plan to spend as much as 31%.
Your debt-to-income ratio will determine how much mortgage you can be approved to borrow. However, just because you can borrow a certain amount doesn’t mean you should. Know how much you can afford and play it safe, even if lenders will loan you more.
2. Focus On Your Priorities
What features are you looking for in a home? Knowing your priorities will help you choose a home you can love for a long time. You may need a home in a certain location, or your home must have four bedrooms. Knowing the critical features to look for is essential.
3. Be Willing to Compromise
Be willing to give in on nice-to-have features to purchase a home with must-have features. You may want a fireplace, but it’s not critical for your happiness. Be flexible about the nice-to-have features and maintain an open mind, even if the house you’re looking at doesn’t have everything you’d ideally want.
4. Anticipate All the Costs
Buying a house can be expensive. The down payment alone can be 7% of the cost of the house (or greater) while closing costs can vary between 2% and 6% of the cost of the house.
If you’re working with a real estate professional, your Realtor can help you negotiate, sharing the closing costs with the buyer. Talk to your Realtor about this before starting the home-buying process. Remember to anticipate costs associated with relocation and fixing up the house once you’ve moved in. Get a sense of how much your moving expenses will cost by getting a quote from a moving professional as you’re making your budget.
5. Communicate Your Budget
Hopefully, you know how much you’re willing to spend. Communicate this with your real estate professional before you start looking at homes. Keeping everyone on the same page is vital for ensuring that your home search will be efficient and successful.
6. Hold Firm
You may be tempted to look at homes that exceed your budget. Buying a house you can’t afford can lead to many challenges. It’s essential to know your limits and not to go beyond them.
Hire a Moving Company You Can Trust
Buying a house is a lot of work. While it’s happening, you’ll need to focus on the home-buying process. Hiring a trustworthy moving company can relieve the stress of buying a home. Contact us to make an appointment and get started with your upcoming relocation.
Signs You May Need a Bigger Home
Housing needs evolve over time. Indeed, the average American owns the same home for about eight years. Often, they move from a starter home to a larger one.
Here are some signs you may need a bigger home.
Your Family is Growing
A perfect house for a couple may be impractical once the couple has several growing children.
Consider a two-bedroom, one-bath home, for example. The couple can occupy one bedroom and use the other as an office or guest room. When a baby comes, they may be able to turn the guestroom into a nursery, but giving up an office may be more problematic. Also, the house becomes crowded as the child grows or more children come.
You Have Hobbies
Hobbies provide many mental health benefits. Active hobbies also improve physical health. If you have a hobby like gardening, woodworking, or collecting large items, you might require significantly more inside or outside space.
You Entertain Frequently
Having enough room for people to move around and chat without bumping into each other is essential for any gathering. You may need a larger house if you frequently host get-togethers at your home and they feel cramped.
You Started Working from Home
You may need more space if you’ve recently started working remotely or are running a small business from your home. A long-term work-from-home office needs dedicated space and ergonomic and productivity features.
A Relative Has Moved In
If an older relative has moved into the home, you might need more space to accommodate them. Also, adult children often return to the house, reclaiming space you may have been using for a hobby room or office.
You Need Personal Space
About 25 to 40 percent of Americans are introverts. Introverts focus on their inner thoughts and drive energy from being introspective. They spend energy during social situations.
If you or other family members are introverts, you’ll need a quiet space to retire and reflect at the end of each day, especially if you work with people most of the time. As your family grows, finding solitary space becomes more manageable if your house grows, too.
Considerations
To buy a larger home, you need to be able to afford one. Here are some factors to consider when weighing your options about moving to a larger home.
Your Housing Costs are Low
Generally, housing expenses should be no more than 32 percent of your income. Housing expenses include rent or mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance (PITI). They also include utilities and homeowner’s association dues. A larger home generally has higher utility costs.
You can afford more space if you can buy while staying within the 32 percent guidelines.
Your DTI Ratio is Low
Your DTI measures the ratio of your debt payments relative to your income. Financial planners say your debt payments should be at most 40 percent of your income.
Your Savings Are Solid
Before buying a larger home, ensure you have enough money for emergencies. In most cases, you’ll need at least a 5 percent down payment on your new home.
Ready to Move?
Moving into a larger house is more complicated than moving into a smaller space. We can help you stay organized and move efficiently. Contact us for a quote today.
6 Tips for Finding Health Professionals After Relocating
Finding dentists and doctors in your new town might be challenging when relocating a family. Here are some pointers for when you make your residential move and need to find new healthcare professionals.
1. Work Through Insurance Company
One place to start is by looking for a physician and dentist in your insurance network if you have private health or dental insurance or insurance via your job. If the provider is in-network, your insurance benefits will be more significant. If you ask your insurance company, they should be able to provide you with a list of doctors and hospitals that are part of their network.
2. Seek Recommendations
Referrals from people you know are another excellent resource for locating a new service provider. If you do not know anyone in the new place, you could ask your provider from your previous home for a recommendation. Another option is to get recommendations for a dentist and doctor from people you know in your new area. It is also possible to ask one provider to suggest other providers; for instance, if you find a doctor you like, you could ask them to recommend a dentist.
3. Check Credentials
Every physician and dentist who practices in a state requires a license. Certifications and education also have an impact. In addition to offering a list of certified dentists in a given area, the American Dental Association certifies dentists who adhere to ethical and professional standards of conduct. Some medical groups, such as the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS), certify doctors in specific subspecialties.
When you have found a professional, verify their credentials and training. Did they attend top institutions for training or education? Beyond a basic state license, do they hold any other certifications? What are their clients saying about them? What are the health grades assigned to doctors and dentists?
Inquire about the professional’s experience with any specific conditions or situations you may be dealing with.
4. Evaluate the Logistics
For convenience, choose a doctor and dentist near home or work. Check their office hours to confirm they align with your needs. Confirm they have an online portal if online communication with your provider is crucial.
5. Conduct an Office Visit
Stop by the office when you have found the right provider. Consider the professionalism of the staff as well as the cleanliness of the office. Consider the time you will have to wait before your appointment and whether or not you feel comfortable there. Lastly, talk with the expert to determine if you agree on managing long-term conditions. Consider how well they pay attention to and handle your concerns.
6. Transfer Your Records
After selecting a provider, request the transfer of your records from the previous provider to the new one. They will need to know about any chronic conditions you may have, the results of any past exams, your medications, and your family’s medical history. Transferring records from your previous provider to your new one will facilitate a smooth transition.
Manage Your Move
We can assist you with your household relocation. Selecting a reputable full-service moving company will help to reduce some of the stress. Contact us today for a free quote.
Considerations When Picking the Location for Your Home Office
If you work from home and are planning a household relocation, you are probably excited about setting up an office in your new home. Moving a home office can be intimidating. Selecting the ideal space for your home office will significantly impact your productivity and ability to complete tasks.
Here are some considerations for selecting your perfect office spot in your new house.
1. How much time do you spend going back and forth between work and home life?
Consider your typical at-home work day. Do you go into your home office and only come out to eat or go to the bathroom? Or do you work for a while, get up to do household tasks, and then work some more? If you spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth, your home office should be near activity hubs like the kitchen or the laundry room.
2. Is privacy important?
Working from home can be challenging, balancing your work and personal life. You need a place where you can work quietly without interruptions in order for your home office to be effective. Assess your new home to determine which room will provide the most privacy. Your spare bedroom may work because it is farther from the activity hubs and has a door. An open loft space might not work as well as a private room with a door.
3. Are some rooms quieter than others?
Outside noise might not affect your new house if it is in a rural area. Choosing a home office location in an urban area requires consideration of external noise sources. Decide where inside the house will be most isolated from the street and neighbor noise. For instance, having your office in the back of an apartment instead of the street may reduce noise disruptions.
4. Will the environment suit your work?
Your office setting should accommodate your business requirements. For instance, a designer will need a larger desk to fit your tools, supplies, and finished goods. But, if you’re a copywriter, you might only need your laptop and compact space.
Also, will someone else be joining you in your office? For example, a coworker, a customer, a business partner, or an employee who will come meet you at any time. You will need to think about them if that applies. They should be able to fit in your office space comfortably. Impressions matter for every business, especially if a client visits.
5. Can you control the lighting and temperature when needed?
Natural light is critical; you can also enhance it by using mirrors and painting the walls in light colors. Make sure there is a place where you can put your computer screen that won’t cause it to glare from the sun. Select an appropriate spot where you can have a good lighting arrangement for working in the evenings. Also, having a window you can open is ideal for letting in some fresh air.
Ensure you have a reliable way of heating and cooling your home office area when the temperatures fluctuate in the winter and summer. Being too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer might distract you and prevent you from concentrating on your work.
Experienced Residential Movers Make Moving Easy
Hiring a team of skilled residential movers can make or break the relocation process. If you need help, request a free moving quote.
4 Tips for Moving A Blended Family
Bringing two families together under one roof is challenging, whether one set of parents and their children are moving in with the other or the two sets of parents are buying a house and planning to share it. Careful planning and preparation will make the transition smoother for everyone.
Consider these suggestions before your household relocation.
1. Think About the Kids When Setting Your Pace
For parents raising a family, the prospect of a serious romantic relationship brings up many feelings. The kids might be nervous about adjusting to life with a blended family. They might be concerned about the new household dynamics and rules.
They might also envy how the parent gets along with the stepparent or stepsiblings. On the other hand, they might be excited about additional siblings.
Adults might assume that moving in together is inevitable. But the kids may be still adjusting. Allow them to express themselves and validate their emotions first. After that, let them spend some time together to get to know one another before they move in together.
2. Establish Limits
Expecting a blended family to do everything as a single unit is unrealistic. Finding a balance can assist in preventing clashes.
Consider establishing limits, setting boundaries, and dividing time with family members.
- Date-night time as a couple without kids
- Quality time spent with one’s own children
- Time together as a whole family.
- Personal time for each parent while the other takes turns watching the children
3. Make Positive Use of Space
Everybody has treasured mementos and personal items. A successful relocation requires making room for these items in both shared and private areas, even if other family members do not appreciate their significance.
Individual space is essential for children. If possible, give each of them a separate room and some freedom, and do not touch their belongings.
Assist them in setting ground rules if they plan to share a room. Every child should have a personal space of their own. Establish a rule that restricts a child from borrowing or touching any personal things of other kids without specific permission from the owner.
If one family is moving into a home where the other family has been living, consider switching things up. Consider moving both kids into another bedroom as an alternative to having one child move into a room that had previously belonged to another child. If that’s impossible, consider redecorating or rearranging the room with input from both kids so the shared space feels more cohesive to both.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Your new blended family will be unique from what you experienced before, so manage your goals and expectations accordingly. Allow time for you, your partner, and all the children to get used to the new relationship and find a new way to be a family. Allow time for everyone to acclimate to their new home and blended family.
Family Relocation
Let us help relocate your family. Our experienced, trained, and certified movers will provide you with professional, dependable, and safe relocation services to make your family move more manageable and stress-free. Contact us today for a quote and more information.
Selecting the Ideal Time of the Year to Move
Planning a move will always be stressful, but it’s easier to transition to a new home at certain times of the year. When deciding, you should consider many factors. Here, we’ll outline some things to consider when choosing the best time of year to move.
Consider Your Moving Budget
If budget is your primary concern, you’ll want to try to plan your move in the off-season, which is generally between late September and April. The most expensive time of year to move will be between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
This is generally due to better weather and families with children trying to plan their moves around the school calendar. People also often try to avoid moving during the holidays, especially in November and December. If budget is a concern and you can swing it, consider moving in the off-season.
Think About Scheduling Flexibility
One of the drawbacks of moving during peak moving months is that it can be challenging to secure the date you want unless you plan earlier than most other people planning moves. If you move during the off-peak season, you’re also more likely to see a better selection of dates. If you have school-age children, you may have different flexibility and, in that case, will want to book your move as soon as possible to secure the moving date you want.
Evaluate Home Availability By Season
Generally speaking, more homes and apartments come on the market early in the spring and summer months. If you’re simultaneously looking for a new place to live as you plan your move, you may be better off looking at spring to find the best availability of homes.
Consider the Local Weather at Both Ends
Weather is a significant consideration for many people. Moving during the winter, while more cost-effective and more manageable to plan, can be tricky, especially in areas prone to heavy snowstorms or sleet. A winter move can pose hazards and potential delays. If you’re in a location on either end of your move where wintry weather is a risk, moving during the warmer months is probably the better option.
However, winter is the best option for some. In other areas, such as the southern U.S., you’ll need to contend with warm, humid, and stormy conditions, which could make for a difficult move. There is also hurricane season to factor in.
Remember to Factor in Your Work Schedule
When choosing the best time of year to move, you’ll also want to factor in your work schedule. For instance, are you in an industry with a “slow” and “busy” time? While winter may be cheaper and easier to plan, planning a move this season wouldn’t make sense if you can’t take time off because it’s your busy season (e.g., insurance or retail). Alternatively, getting the dates off you want could be problematic if your industry is active in the summer or you have high competition with colleagues for vacation time.
Moving Made Easy
Determining the best time of the year to move is a personal decision, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, each season has pros and cons, and you want to choose what makes the most sense for your household.
Whatever your decision, we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule a free quote.
9 Ways to Engage in Self-Care While Moving
When you’re going through a relocation, taking care of yourself might be the last thing on your mind. Self-care during a household relocation is vital for managing stress and staying healthy. Below are some things you can do to take care of yourself, even while you’re in the middle of a move.
1. Eat Well
Eating well is always important, but it’s never more important than when you’re in the middle of a relocation. Keep healthy snacks on hand so you’ll have the energy to keep packing, planning, and organizing your upcoming relocation. Whenever possible, eat healthy dinners with plenty of vegetables and whole grains. You’ll probably eat a lot of takeout during your relocation, so list nearby restaurants with healthy options.
2. Take Breaks
Remember to take breaks when packing, decluttering, and organizing. It’s easy to get caught up in an activity and forget to take care of yourself, but this can lead to burnout and extra stress. If you must, set an alarm to remind yourself when to sit and enjoy yourself.
3. Follow a Plan
One way to reduce stress during a relocation is to stay organized and have a plan. The more organized you are, the less time you’ll spend worrying about whether you remembered doing everything you needed. You’ll also be able to track deadlines better, and that can reduce your stress as well.
4. Get Help When It’s Needed
Knowing when to ask for help is essential. Pay attention to your stress levels. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, get help from friends and family. If you’re working with a moving company, find out if they have full-service options. They can help you with packing and other activities.
5. Give Yourself a Long Timeline
The less time you give yourself to plan and pack, the more stress and worry you’ll feel. It’s also hard on your body to push yourself to accomplish a lot quickly. If possible, give yourself a long timeline to get through your relocation.
6. Take Walks to De-Stress
Walking can help you manage stress. Even if you have no time, go for short walks around your neighborhood or property. While walking, engage in mindful breathing to help focus your thoughts and let go of your worries.
7. Spend Time with Family and Loved Ones
Many people manage their stress by spending time with people they love. Even though you’re busy, schedule some time with friends and family to help take your mind off the work you need to do. You can make these events short so you’ll still have enough time to get all your work done.
8. Keep Up With Hobbies
Do you have hobbies? Keep up with your hobbies during this time. If possible, put off packing accessories you need for your hobbies until the very last minute so you can continue to do what you love during your relocation.
9. Talk About Your Feelings
You might feel many strong feelings as you prepare for your upcoming relocation. Tell friends and family about how you feel. Expressing yourself can help you feel better and can even bring clarity to confusing feelings.
Hire the Right Moving Company
Relocations go better when you hire the right moving company. Call today to make an appointment to discuss your upcoming move.
Tips to Pack a Warehouse and Inventory for a Commercial Move
Warehouses are perfect for storing inventory and machinery for your business. However, as your company grows, it may be time to upgrade to a larger warehouse or one with better amenities. When that happens, it’s time to pack everything and move it to its new location. Unfortunately, this relocation process is much easier said than done.
Whether you’re a small business with bulky inventory items or a large manufacturing brand, here are the best tips to help your move go as smoothly as possible.
Start Early
Ideally, you’ll have several months to transition from one space to another. However, regardless of how much time you have, it’s best to create an action plan as soon as you finalize your new space. The sooner you plan the logistics, the easier it is to overcome any hurdles or obstacles.
Some points to consider include:
- Transportation – How will you move heavier equipment or inventory?
- Square Footage – Is the new space larger? If not, how can you take advantage of the space you do have?
- Layout – How does your current layout work, and can it be improved with the new warehouse?
- Entrances – How easy is loading materials and equipment into the new space?
Toss or Fix Old and Worn Items
Moving is an excellent time to take stock of everything you have and shed any unnecessary items. As you go through your inventory, take note of anything that needs fixing. Plan to repair those items before the move.
Alternatively, discard any old materials not worth repairing. Finding an industrial recycling center or landfill that takes business waste can save you time and trouble because you will not have to move anything unnecessary.
Sell Unused Inventory
Another option with old or worn inventory is to sell it (as long as it’s in decent condition). Only reserve this tip for items that you don’t need or are thinking of upgrading already. This way, you can get the piece out of your warehouse and avoid moving it yourself. Then, once you’re at the new warehouse, you can ship the latest version there directly.
Organize Your New Space on Paper First
It can be hard to visualize the best layout when standing in a massive empty room. Instead, it’s better to draw the layout on a piece of paper with incremental measurements to determine the best warehouse layout.
Also, consider how you will use the warehouse space. Will workers be moving around? What about forklifts and other vehicles? Make sure to incorporate safety protocols into your new layout.
Get as Much Help as Possible
Fortunately, as a business, you already have employees on the payroll. Many of these individuals can help with the moving process, both with logistics and planning, as well as packing and lifting. The more people working on the project, the faster and more efficient the move will be.
That said, you should designate someone as the head project manager. This way, it’s easier to organize everyone and keep individuals on task. A disorganized move can lead to significant problems after the transition, such as misplaced or damaged inventory.
Simplify Your Warehouse Relocation
We have experience moving heavy items and equipment and can make this process as smooth and streamlined as possible. Contact us today with details, and we’ll develop the best moving strategy to fit your budget.
How to Prepare a Kitchen Essentials Kit
Packing your life in boxes and moving to a new location can be stressful. One of the easiest ways to relax and start feeling at home in your new house is to get back into the routine of making dinner. With a prepared kitchen essentials kit, you’ll be able to quickly find the necessary kitchen utensils and cookware so you can start cooking and relaxing with your family.
Here are some ideas for preparing your kitchen essentials.
Food
While you’ll likely order some pizza for dinner the first night in your new house, you can’t make a diet of pizza for a week. Store away some easy-to-prepare food in your kitchen essentials box for meal options when entering your new house. Some great food choices include items that don’t need refrigeration, like peanut butter and bread, canned soups or veggies, rice, or pasta. Pack some drinks and simple spices like salt and pepper or olive oil.
Coffee or Morning Beverage
A good cup of coffee or tea can make all the difference on the first morning in a new place. If you are traveling and planning on making coffee or tea, bring a small coffee maker or French press instead of your elaborate espresso machine. Remember to bring along the ground coffee or tea, and if you have space, bring along your favorite mug.
Dishes and Silverware
Even with easy takeout options, you’ll need dishes and silverware. You can choose whether you use traditional plates and bowls that you can wash and use again or paper plates that offer easy cleanup. You’ll want to pack enough in your kitchen essentials box to ensure everyone in your family (and any helpers) has enough to get through a few days: pack cups, plates, bowls, and plenty of forks, knives, and spoons.
Cookware
You certainly don’t need your full kitchen arsenal the first few days in your new home, but you need a few items to get through some basic cooking. You should include a large pot, saucepan, and frying pan in your kitchen essentials kit. Pack some cooking utensils like tongs, knives, and a spatula. Adding a crockpot to your kit is a good idea for some healthy, hearty, and low-effort dinners.
Essentials
Pack a few essential items to help prepare and store your food. You’ll want some aluminum foil and some plastic wrap. Remember to pack plenty of plastic bags and Tupperware containers to store leftovers. Throw in a few oven mitts or heat-resistant mats to help cook and prepare meals. For cleanup, add some dish soap or dishwasher detergent, towels, paper towels, napkins, and a sponge to wash dishes and pots.
If your meal plans don’t work as expected, meal delivery services are helpful in a pinch, or order from a local deli.
Comforts of Home Made Easy
Getting into your home and back into your routine can help you settle into your new house quickly. Make your move quick and stress-free by hiring professional movers. Our dedicated, caring, and experienced staff are happy to help do the heavy lifting so you can relax. Contact us today for a quote on your next move.
How to Sell Your Home While Living in It
Trying to sell your home can be stressful enough—but for many, the most challenging part of selling is keeping the space looking “show-ready” at all times. Potential buyers may schedule showings at the drop of a hat, so you want to keep your home looking its best while on the market.
But how can you keep your home looking its best while still, you know, living in it? It’s not easy, but there are some helpful tips and tricks worth remembering.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Start with a deep cleaning and decluttering before you even put your house up for sale. Not only will this make packing more manageable when the time comes to move, but having less clutter will also make your home appear larger and more spacious. Clear out overflowing closet shelves, pantries, and anywhere else a potential buyer might look.
In addition to decluttering, now is a good time to depersonalize your space. You want potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your home—and that might be hard for them to do if there are photos of your family hung on every wall. Neutralizing your space may help your home sell faster and will also help with cutting down on that problematic clutter.
Stick With a Cleaning Routine
People want to avoid scrambling to clear off countertops and vacuum when the realtor calls about a last-minute showing. You can prevent this unwanted stress by implementing a cleaning routine that will keep your home looking more or less ready for showings at all times.
Yes, this will mean a little more work, but a daily cleaning routine will save you time, stress, and hassle as you try to sell your home.
Work With a Staging Company
If you are okay with the up-front investment, working with a staging company to stage your home can be a great way to get it looking its absolute best and appealing to more buyers. The best part? A staging company can usually work with your existing furniture to optimize the flow and interior design of your home. Consider, too, that a professionally staged home sells up to 30 times faster than a home where the owners didn’t stage it.
Have a Plan for Pets
Another issue that sellers frequently face is dealing with pets during scheduled showings. Ideally, you’ll want to remove your pets from the house entirely during a showing. Most prospective buyers will not want to be greeted by a barking dog—and others may even have pet allergies.
This is why it’s so important to have a plan to remove pets from your home whenever possible during a showing. If you have a trusted neighbor, see if you can bring your pet(s) by to stay at their place during showings. Consider loading and taking them in your vehicle until the showing is over.
Ready For Your Next Move?
Continuing to live in and enjoy your home while you have it up for sale will take some adjustment, but with these tips, you’ll be ready to sell in no time. When it comes time to move, contact us for a free quote.
