moving tips Archives - Curb Appeal

Things To Know About Moving To Florida

There may be a limited amount of things that you know about Florida. It’s a the Sunshine State. People Like to vacation there. Do you really know Florida? If you’re getting ready to transition to Florida, knowing a bit more about the area will make your move smoother.

All Kinds Of Weather Happen Here

Maybe Florida doesn’t exactly get the seasons like other parts of the country, but it does get rain, wind, thunderstorms, even some cooler weather in the evenings. The winters may be an advantage, but there’s certainly no shortage of variety when it comes to the weather in Florida.

You’ll Need A Whole New Wardrobe

If you’re coming from a cooler part of the country, you’ll be needing a whole new wardrobe in Florida. Flip flops, shorts, and short sleeve shirts are the way of life here. If you love spending time outdoors and don’t need a lot of professional clothes for work, it’s pretty easy to get used to life in Florida.

There’s No Shortage Of Things To Do

Did you know that Florida has over 160 state parks? There’s so much more to Florida than theme parks and beautiful beaches. Every weekend you can take some time and explore a new area for an adventure!

The Holidays May Be A Bit Different

Celebrating the holidays without snow can seem pretty strange to some people. Floridians get into the holiday spirit just as much as anyone else does. There’s lights, music, and festivities. You’ll just need to get used to a new weather pattern.

Each Part Of The State Has Something Different To Offer

Florida is a big state and there’s no one way to characterize the entire state. North Florida and South Florida could be two different states as far as residents are concerned since they are both so different from one another. Depending on where you’re moving to, you’ll need to understand what each part of the state has to offer.

You’ll Need An Extra Room In Your House

Keep this in mind when you’re shopping for Florida real estate. Once you move to Florida, many family and friends from back home will be looking to come and visit you. If you need a 3 bedroom house, you’re probably going to want to look for a 4 bedroom house or even something larger to accommodate the visitors who will be coming to see you throughout the year.

Real Estate Is Often Less Expensive

While we’re at it, it should be noted that Florida has some inexpensive properties that you can call your own. Depending upon where you’re looking to live, you could get a house here that might cost you double in some other parts of the country.

When you get to know the area, Florida is certainly a diverse, wonderful place to live.

Strategies for Managing a Short-Notice PCS Move

In the military, sometimes a Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, move happens quickly and orders to move to a new location can leave you scrambling.

When you have to make a fast move, the whirlwind of activity can leave you feeling a little dazed and wondering if you’re forgetting anything. Here are some tips for a short-notice PCS move.

Prioritize Your To-Do List

From contacting schools to changing addresses with the Post Office or collecting medical records, there is a lot to do when moving. Find out if there are specific dates or requirements for turning in gear or check-out procedures with the unit. Create a prioritized list of most urgent and time-sensitive things. Then create one of things that could wait until after the move. Changing a driver’s license isn’t urgent because most states give at least 30 days post-move. But, changing your address with the Post Office and anywhere you get deliveries from (like an Amazon or a magazine subscription) is important to do before moving.

Speed Declutter

You don’t have time to sort through small boxes of trinkets, so be really careful not to get caught in the little things. Start by immediately throwing out any trash. Move on to large items you can donate or get rid of (furniture, small appliances or large toys). As you declutter, you can also box up the items you know you are keeping. When sorting through books or movies, for example, make quick decisions and have a box to donate and a box to pack so you are getting both jobs done at the same time.

Work in Bursts

It is important to take mental breaks so you don’t burn out. Work for a few hours and then take a complete break to get lunch or do something different for an hour. When you have days or weeks of a fast-paced move, you want to stay focused. However, your brain can only focus for so long before it gets tired. By taking those breaks, your work time is more efficient by giving your brain a moment to rest.

Expect a PPM Move

When you do it yourself, moving is called a PPM, or personally procured move, by the military. With a short notice of days or just a few weeks, you likely won’t get moving support for companies working with the military. You can certainly check the options, but be prepared for a DIY (do it yourself) move. Often, the military will provide you with a high percentage of the moving stipend they would have given a company. So you make a little extra money while having more control when packing your items.

Mark Your Boxes

One of the most overwhelming parts of a move is unpacking what you need when you need it. Grab a sharpie and label your boxes either: IMMEDIATE, SECONDARY or STORAGE. Add the room the box will go in when you arrive to make it easy to take everything to the right rooms and prioritize what gets unpacked first.

Whatever you do, don’t get lost in the details. Keep your labeling quick and easy to understand. All important documents, like the marriage certificate, passports or birth certificates, should be kept in one box and carried by you (not packed in the truck).

Plan for Time With the Truck

Of course, you need to plan for time to rent and pack the truck, but don’t forget about weighing the truck in order to get reimbursement for a DIY move. If you are moving on your own (PPM), go to a local weighing station before and after the truck is loaded to record how much you are moving.

Pay Attention to Final Details

If you are selling a home you own off-base, your real estate agent will tell you what cleaning and staging will increase the likelihood of a sale. If you live on-base, you will want to patch up and repaint spots, like nail holes, to avoid any final charges. Cleaning and sweeping the floors will probably be one of the last things you do to make sure the space looks as good as possible for inspection (on-base) or showings (off-base).

Items to Buy Before Moving Day Arrives

If you recently bought or sold your home, moving day may be rapidly approaching. Fortunately, you still have time to pick up must-have supplies so you can get ready for moving day.

Now, let’s take a look at three items that you should purchase prior to your upcoming move.

1. Moving Boxes

In all likelihood, you have a wide range of personal belongings that you need to pack. If you have lots of moving boxes at your disposal, you should have no trouble securing your personal belongings so you can transport them to your new address.

Home improvement and moving equipment companies often sell moving boxes in many sizes. You also may want to consider visiting a local grocery or convenience store to find moving boxes; in some instances, a grocery or convenience store may be willing to provide you with its empty food and beverage boxes free of charge.

2. Packing Supplies

In addition to moving boxes, you’ll need supplies to ensure that you can pack your personal belongings safely. With packing supplies in hand, you can guarantee that your personal belongings are protected as they go from Point A to Point B.

Must-have packing supplies include bubble wrap, packaging tape, markers and labels. If you pick up these supplies today, you can move one step closer to finalizing your moving day preparations.

3. Snacks and Beverages

Oftentimes, moving day can be hectic, even for those who allocate significant time and resources to prepare for the big day. As such, it sometimes is easy to forget to eat and stay hydrated as you try to bring all of your personal belongings to your new address.

For those who want to do everything possible to prep for moving day, it generally is a good idea to pick up snacks and beverages. Granola bars, trail mix and other portable snacks are ideal for moving day. Meanwhile, purchasing bottled water and other beverages is beneficial too.

If you need extra help with moving day preparations, you may want to consult with a professional moving company as well. A moving company goes above and beyond the call of duty to help individuals map out all aspects of the moving day process.

A moving company employs friendly, knowledgeable moving experts who can guide you through your move. Plus, the company can offer packing guidance, moving services and other support to ensure that you can seamlessly relocate to your new address.

Lastly, for those who will need to move soon, it may be beneficial to hire a real estate agent. This housing market professional can help you buy or sell a house in any city or town, at any time. Furthermore, a real estate agent is available to provide support at each stage of the homebuying or home selling journey. And if you are uncertain about how to proceed along the homebuying or home selling journey, a real estate agent is happy to provide plenty of assistance.