Time to Move

Whether you are moving across town or across the country, it is a good idea to shop around for a household mover. Local moving companies have always been very competitive. When interstate movers were more regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission, they charged basically the same rates. Since that industry has been de-regulated, the rates are varied and even negotiable.

If you are in the market for a mover, get recommendations from friends or neighbors. Call several companies for estimates and ask how their rates are calculated. Find out what kind of insurance against damage or breakage is included in their charges and what additional coverage will cost. The charges are usually broken down into two areas–packing, and loading and unloading. You can sometimes save a considerable amount of money by doing your own packing, but doing so may limit the mover’s liability.

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The custom of relying on friends to help make a move from one place to another has been replaced by reliance on professional movers.

Professional moving companies offer a wide range of service options, including professional packing. It could cost you less if you pack your things in your own containers. However, some movers will not insure fragile items, such as dishes or glassware, if they do not pack them.

Begin your preparations for the move by calling several companies for estimates. And start early! Some companies want three-to-six weeks advance notice. Ask each company how they compute the charges, how much time they expect the move to take, and what kind of insurance coverage they offer against loss or damage. If you have to store your things temporarily, ask what arrangements can be made.

Long-distance movers may send a representative to your home for an estimate, while local companies may quote an hourly rate over the phone. Be sure to ask the same questions of each company so that when you compare bids you will be using the same criteria.

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The impending arrival of a new baby is an important catalyst for many couples to plan a move. You may need more space or prefer a larger yard or a street with less traffic. Having a baby represents a profound change in life. Your thoughts about housing suddenly begin to include considerations about schools, neighborhood playgrounds, and other families with young children.

If you plan to enlarge your family in the near future, it is a good idea to assess your real estate needs early in the planning stage. If you have a condominium or smaller house which you have to sell in order to buy a new home, talk to us about placing your current home on the market now. It could take a while for it to close, even if we find buyers relatively quickly. Most real estate agents have stories of closing attorneys bringing paperwork to the maternity ward. While this may provide witty repartee for the agent, it is not a lot of fun for the new parents trying to work out the last minute details of a major move when the baby is about to arrive.

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As the Baby Boomers of the 1950’s send their children off to college, they join the segment of the housing market called “empty nesters”. At this point they no longer need six bedrooms and three baths, a family room and a gigantic yard. Many “empty nesters” are trading in the family home for something that is smaller, easier to maintain and has the amenities that allow a more carefree lifestyle.

Start out by consulting a good real estate agent whom you like and trust. There are many exciting housing options for those who are downsizing. If you are under age fifty-five and are buying a home that is less expensive than your present one, there will probably be capital gains tax considerations to take into account. If you are moving downtown from the suburbs in order to be close to cultural centers, theaters and restaurants, there may be “quality of life” issues, such as noise or parking. Your real estate agent can help you find the a home that has all the conveniences and amenities you desire.

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When their last child is married or graduates from college, many couples feel the urge to give up yard work, sell their homes, and become sophisticated city dwellers. They may consider a condominium or a home near theaters, restaurants, museums and other in-town excitement.
Although city living has many rewards, this type of move represents a major change in lifestyle. You will be relieved of a lot of maintenance chores, and you will be close to many activities that not available in the suburbs. However, some things that you take for granted, like a parking place, may not be readily available in a city!

Before you make a commitment to a condominium, talk to the people who live there. Like suburban developments, town house and condo developments often have covenants and owners’ association restrictions which limit what you can do with your home. A professional real estate agent can get you the answers to any questions you may have about this important move.

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New homes typically have a higher sales price than comparable existing homes, and buyers are usually willing to spend more on a new home because of lower maintenance costs. Builders’ warranties on new homes, when combined with a new roof, appliances, and major systems, usually make major repairs unnecessary and help to counter a slower initial rate of appreciation.

Census Bureau Housing Surveys suggests that operating costs are lowest for brand new homes and slightly higher for relatively new existing homes. Operating costs per square foot of living space are consistently higher for progressively older existing homes. Utility costs represent the largest factor in operating costs. Energy consumption per square foot depends on the size of the home, the insulation and quality of the windows, air leakage and the efficiency of the furnace.

New homes require fewer expenditures for routine maintenance. The cost of maintenance first increases with age, then declines, so you will generally spend less maintaining a home built before 1960 than for a home built between 1970 and 1975.

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Your youngest child has just left home! Your present house now seems enormous. Your “empty nest” has prompted thoughts of selling your home and moving to a smaller, more manageable house.

Before you make a move, you should consult two important professionals–your real estate agent and your tax planner. A good real estate agent will be able to tell you the value of your current home and the availability of alternative houses in your preferred area.

Buying a smaller home or condo can have important advantages, such as lowering your property taxes, simplifying property maintenance, and generating cash which can be put into income-producing investments. You will also want to consider the tax laws which allow capital gain exclusions whether you “buy up” to a more expensive home or “buy down” to a less expensive one. If you are moving downtown from the suburbs in order to be close to cultural centers, theaters and restaurants, there may be “quality of life” issues, such as noise or parking. Your real estate agent and your tax planner can provide valuable information to assist you in making such decisions.

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The quality of a school district is an important determinant of the market value of a house. For homebuyers with children, the quality and reputation of the local school system may be as critical to their decision as the appeal of the home.

The desire to give their children a quality education usually causes parents who are in the market for a home to ask questions about the local school district. What is the annual expenditure per pupil and the average class size? How do the district’s standardized test scores compare with the national mean? Are special education programs available? What percentage of high school graduates go on to college? What is the physical condition of the schools and the district’s record in handling school bond proposals? Parents may also want to know the school board’s educational philosophy.

A professional real estate agent has the experience and knowledge to help you choose the right community and schools for your family.

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