SmartHomeOwners

Moving to a new home provides an exciting new adventure for the entire family.  A new home, new neighborhood, new city - just waiting to be explored!  There's just one problem....how will you "safely" get all your valuable belongings from Point A to Point B?  If you don't have the means or helpers to move your own stuff, you'll likely have to hire a moving company.  Moving companies can be a big help or a big nightmare, so you should select one cautiously.

Types of Movers

First determine what type of mover you'll need.  Will you be moving hundreds of miles away or locally?  Do you need a pack and stack service, trucking service or household shipper?  Interstate moving companies will move your items from one state to another, but not all movers offer this service.  Some are limited to local services or moving up to a certain distance.

Recommendations and Licensing

Ask for recommendations from friends, family or co-workers.  It is likely that someone you know has moved in recent years.  Find out which moving company they used and if they were pleased with the service provided, including pricing and overall experience.  If you're unable to get recommendations, then check with the local Better Business Bureau and the Department of Transportation to find a reputable mover with a good customer service record.  Make sure the mover is licensed for the type of moving service you'll need.

Questions to Ask:

1.  How long have you been in business?
2.  How much experience do your packers and drivers have?
3.  Do you offer storage if needed?
4.  Is your company a member of a trade organization (i.e. American Movers Conference)?
5.  Do you provide everything necessary for the move, including packing boxes and materials?
6.  What type of insurance do you provide for my belongings?

Contracts and Hidden Costs

Once you receive an estimate from one or two moving companies, it's time to choose your mover.  Be sure to read the contract carefully, and ask for a detailed list of what to expect and what you'll need to do to prepare for moving day.  Most professional movers will come to your home to assert what is needed for the move so they can give an accurate price.  Be sure to get everything in writing and keep a copy with you during the entire moving process.

Look out for hidden fees such as packing material costs and packing fees, preparation of appliances, movers liability insurance, storage, and disassembly of furniture (beds, tables, etc.).  These fees should be included in your overall estimate, but you'll want to ask to be sure.

Notice if the company's representative is friendly, thorough when answering all your questions, and willing to break down the fees for you.  If not, then it's time to call another moving company.  The safety of your belongings is worth taking time to research and find reliable movers.

Planning on a garage sale soon?  Don't settle for the atypical garage sale routine.  There are ways to attract more shoppers and make more money.  Here are some tips to have a successful garage sale.

Tip #1:  Offer Plenty

Don't even think of having a garage sale until you have plenty to offer your shoppers.  Yard sale goers enjoy sifting through lots of stuff to find their hidden treasures.  Clean out your home, attic, garage, storage building, etc. to find items you don't plan to use anymore.  Also, avoid selling items that are broken or junkie unless they can be purchased for parts (TVs, electronics, etc.).  If you lack items to sell, ask a friend or two to join in with you.  You can then share the advertising expenses.

Tip #2:  Use Strategy in Advertising

The best way to attract lots of shoppers is to use the right advertising strategy.  Place an ad in your local paper stating when and where the garage sale will take place.  List a few of the larger items as well as clothing and shoe sizes if possible.  Pay a little more if you must so you can add more wording in your ad.  More details in your ad may attract more shoppers seeking specific items.  Also, create large poster signs with bold marker writing to place at road intersections near your home.  The signs should be clearly written with a large arrow and the address to avoid confusion.

You should also consider creating flyers about your garage sale with more details about the products that are available.  Include your address and phone number (you might sell items for several days beforehand).  Include a special cut-out coupon on the flyer (e.g. Take an additional $3 off for every $10 spent!).  Ask local beauty shops and stores to display your flyers for a few days.

*Hint:  Find out if there are restrictions in your area about placing signage on poles or posts.  Laws can vary from one community to the next.

Tip #3:  Offer Refreshments

While refreshments can be a hassle, they may also keep your shoppers lingering around a little longer.  To keep things simple, offer lemonade or coke and cookies.  Use this as an opportunity to talk with shoppers and find out if they need help finding an item.

Tip #4:  Get an Early Start

Many garage sale fans start at 5:00 or 6:00 am to get all the best deals.  If you want to catch their business, you'll have to start early too.  Have all your items priced and ready to put out on display the evening before.  This will make it easier to start your sale early.

Tip #5:  Time It Right

Schedule your garage sale for the time of the month when most workers in your area get paid (such as first of the month or middle of the month).  Avoid having garage sales on a holiday weekend, except maybe Mother's Day, Father's Day or Valentine's Day.  Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4th are no-no's because a lot of people are busy or out of town.

Tip #6:  Smart Arrangements

Arrange your tables and products so they are easy to access.  Use bright-colored plastic tablecloths to attract attention.  Organize clothing and shoes by size if possible.  If you are selling outfits or dresses, it's best to hang these on a line between trees or on a rack.  Try to place all items on tables or somewhere within easy reach.  Many elderly folks visit garage sales and might have a difficult time bending down to view items on the ground.  Also, be sure to price everything with signs and stickers.  This makes it much easier to handle a large volume of shoppers at once.  You won't have to worry about folks constantly asking "how much is this item!"

Tip #7:  Weather Plans

Prepare for high winds, rain or other potential weather problems.  Have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate.  State in your ad if your sale will go on "rain, snow or shine" or if you plan to "cancel if rains."  This will save shoppers an extra trip!

Tip #8:  Bundle Deals

Offer items for sale in bundles with a discount.  Shoppers love to get a good deal.  Use sales bundles such as "Fill a Bag for $1" or "Buy 4 and Get 1 Free!"  Also, be willing to negotiate for better pricing.  Expect haggling from most shoppers and price your items accordingly.

These are just a few ways to have a successful garage sale.  Use these tactics to make a hefty profit while getting rid of all the items you no longer use or want!

As warm weather rolls around, you might be considering a new patio for your home.  Patios provide added space outdoors to entertain guests and relax after a hard day's work.  You can grill out or take a rest on your comfortable patio furniture.  A patio can also add value and exterior appeal to your home.  Building a patio is one home improvement project that offers lasting benefits.

Choosing Patio Materials

Whether you choose to build a patio yourself or hire a professional patio/deck builder, the first thing to consider is what type of patio material you will use.  Patios can be made of wood, concrete, brick or flagstone...and the designs for patios are innumerable!  The material you choose will likely determine how you will decorate your completed patio.  With a wood patio, for instance, you might use simplistic wooden or rustic patio furniture with decorative plants in wooden planters.  If you use a modern-style brick or concrete patio, then you might prefer wrought iron patio furniture or elegant cloth-padded furniture.

Using wood for your patio offers many options on its own.  There is a variety of wood types that can be used for patios, such as redwood, cedar wood, cypress and pressure-treated lumber.  Probably the most popular among natural wood decks are redwood and cedar. These are the most durable when sealer is used, and will create a beautiful look and feel for your home.  Cypress is used in warmer climates and is less expensive.  You might also opt for synthetic decking, which looks like wood but is actually a durable substitute.  It is made of vinyl, plastic or wood polymer.

If you'd rather stay away from wooden patio designs, consider brick, concrete or flagstone.  Brick is available in various patterns and colors, and will certainly stand the test of time.  You can also use poured concrete with brick paths scattered here and there to save money and create a unique design of your own.  Flagstone also offers flexibility in design but is more expensive.  Regardless of which material you choose for your patio, be sure to pour a level foundation.  This is crucial because your patio will be exposed to weather elements on a daily basis, and your overall design outcome will depend on the stability of the foundation.

Covered Patios

Another choice to consider is whether you would like a covered patio or completely open patio.  Covered patios offer shade from the sun and protection from rain.  Your patio can act as a shelter while grilling out, etc. if a rain storm pops up suddenly during your family cookout!  Adding a patio cover also adds expense to your project, so you'll need to consider your overall budget and what options you can afford.

The shape and design of your patio can be a traditional square or rectangle shape or a curvy design that "moves" with your yard.  Ask a deck architect to draw up several possible plans for your patio, considering the way your home and yard join together.  This will be based upon how much yard space you have and the amount of space available at that particular area of your house.  Having several design plans to choose from will help you think out of the box!

Once you've completed your patio project, you can decorate, plant bushes or flowers around the patio, insert outdoor lighting near the steps, etc. to create a gorgeous yard decor.  Use your creativity and make the most of your new home addition!

Selecting furniture is just one of the many exciting tasks to look forward to when buying a new home.  You'll want to make your new home fit your style while providing comfort for your family and guests.  How you choose to furnish your new home will make all the difference.  Here are some quick furniture selection tips to make the task go smoothly.

Complete All Remodeling and Finishing Touches

Homes that are incomplete or that need a little work should be completely ready before choosing furniture. Why?  Because it's difficult to furnish a room without visualization.  You'll need to see the room after it has been finished and painted, or after the last piece of wallpaper has been hung.  This allows you to imagine how the furniture will look in the room.  So don't pick out your furniture until you're actually ready to move in.

Use Color Swatches

Avoid guessing at color matches for your furniture and room colors.  Take samples or swatches of your room colors with you to the furniture store.  Keep in mind that colors don't always look the same under various types of lighting.

Measurements

Measure the space available in each room for your furnishings.  The available space will determine the length, width and shape of items such as your couch or love seat, dining room table and chairs, bedroom suits, etc.

Buy Smaller Accessories Later

Buy the large furniture items first to see how each piece will fit in your room.  Then add accessories as needed to complete your ensemble.  This allows you to gradually decorate your room without buying too many items at once.  You can accessorize with plants (live or fake), tables, lamps, wall paintings, wall sconces, magazine tables, bookshelves, vases, etc. in the living areas.  In the bedroom, a simple table and lamp will do with a couple of wall paintings.  For the kitchen, create a theme and scour yard sales for matching kitchen decor. You can easily add a few items here and there if you're on a tight budget.  If you posses antique tables or dressers, consider refinishing them to match your new furniture.  This is much less costly than replacing them with new ones, and you can use them for many years to come!

Opt for High Quality

When buying furniture, avoid brands that are cheaply made.  These will likely fall apart after just a few years of use.  Ideally, a couch, chair and love seat should last at least 10 years or more.  The same goes for a kitchen table or bed frame.  Don't be allured by very low prices.  Do some research on furniture brands, and be willing to pay more for quality workmanship.  You'll end up saving money for the long haul.  Also, consider the features being offered.  Do you want a reclining chair or sofa?  What about built in storage or a sleeper sofa?

Choose furniture that makes your home feel welcoming and comfortable.  Be sure to provide adequate seating for guests if you often entertain others.  Look for the features that will make you happy for years to come!

Operating your home business was likely easy and simple at the start.  You could handle all the work on your desk and still be finished in time for supper!  But eventually, your business started to grow, and now you're in a valley of decision.  Should you hire someone to help you with the work load?  If so, who should you hire?

There are many things to consider when hiring someone to help with home business tasks.  Consider if this person will be able to work remotely from their own home, or if they must be present to do the tasks needed?  You'll have to be really careful if this person is to come to your home each day.

Employee or Independent Contractor?

Another consideration is whether or not to hire the person as an employee or independent contractor.  Most home businesses are simply too small to hire an actual employee.  After all, there will be payroll to keep up with, a sense of long-term commitment and accountability to that employee, and of course, much tighter management needs.  On the other hand, hiring someone as an actual employee can create loyalty if you need someone to be totally committed to your company day in and day out.

Hiring an Independent Contractor

There are pros and cons to hiring an independent contractor as well.  On the positive side, an independent can work freely on projects as you need him. You can call on him to work occasionally without making an actual employer-employee relationship.  This allows you to be flexible in the assignments given without having to pay an hourly wage or salary.  It's also less expensive to hire an independent.  You won't have the usual overhead costs such as payroll, health benefits, supplies, etc.

*NOTE:  Keep in mind that a contractor will generally charge more because he must take care of his own taxes, business supplies, and equipment.

The downside of hiring an independent contractor is you cannot control the work relationship.  The contractor can raise prices, choose to reject certain assignments, and even drop you as a client at his bidding.  There could be any number of reasons for doing the above, but either way this can leave you without a worker.

As you consider these pros and cons, think about your needs and how much work you can provide for this person.  If you need someone to occasionally take assignments, then a contractor will do just fine.  If you need someone to be committed to your company on a full-time or regular basis, then consider hiring an employee.  Either way, the extra helping hand can help you grow your business even more!