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Boca Raton Home Staging- Things You Need to Ask Before You Get Additional Storage Space!

By
Home Stager

Boca Raton Home Staging- Things You Need to Ask Before You Get Additional Storage Space!

Whether or not you are selling your house in Boca Raton or anywhere else in Palm Beach County, chances are you have been told to store or remove some of your "clutter".    Your Realtor no doubt brought this up when you listed your house.  If you've had a Home Staging Consultation, your Stager probably suggested packing up unnecessary items so you won't detract from your Buyer being able to see the space your house has. 


questionThat's often easier said than done.  You're still living in your house and even if you've already boxed up items for the move, what are you supposed to do with them?

One solution is to rent additional storage space from the many public storage facilities .  It's not as expensive as you would think and most of them rent month to month so you're not locked into a minimum number of months. 

I spoke to Kevin at Public Storage recently and here are some questions you need to ask before you rent a space.

1. When possible call the 800# for the facility. Did you know that rates for the same company can vary even if they are only a few miles from each other.  The reason is has to do with real estate.  Facilities located on prime real estate can be several dollars per month more than one located just a few miles away.  By calling a central booking number, the agent can help direct you to the most cost effective rate to fit your need. 

2.  Climate control?  Typically outside units (you know.. the ones with the garage like doors) do not offer storageclimate control.  If you live in South Florida, you may want to pay extra for a unit that has climate control depending upon what you plan to store and for how long.

3. First Floor?  Choosing a space on the first floor will typically cost more than one on a higher level.  What is it they say.... location, location, location!  There are elevators available but if you don't want to deal with that you'll pay more for one on the ground level.

4.  Seasons?  Prices will vary depending upon the season.  Basically the summer rates are the regular rental rates.  They can drop as you go into the winter months.  It's all about supply and demand... more people typically need and use storage space during these months.  

5. College town?  If you live in a college town, you may not be able to find a storage unit just before school adjourns.  If you can find one, you may be paying more.  Again.. it all has to do with supply and demand. 

6.  Locked in?  Prices can fluctuate on a daily basis.  Many facilities offer $1 first month rates, or a variety of discounts bases on what they have available.   However once you do rent the rate will be locked in for you.

And some additional tips:

1.  Need moving boxes?  Check with your local Craigslist.  Often people who have just moved will place their boxes (which can include wardrobe and art boxes, as well as paper) on Craigslist for free.  All you have to do is get there when you see the notice.  I have noticed in my own local Craigslist that some people are charging anywhere from $1-5 per box.  And, it's a great way to recycle for the environment.

2.  If you need long term storage and have the time, wait to rent your unit when their rates are lower... and that would be typically during the winter months. 

3.  A 5x5x8 unit will hold about 50-60 boxes.  A 5x10 can hold a studio apartment worth of inventory. 

4. Rates may be held for a limited time so if you do speak with someone make sure you find out how long that rate will be in effect. 

For your convenience- 
Public Storage
800-688-8057 

 

 

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(28)

Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Some good tips Kathy-I especially like the free boxes listed on Craigslist.

Aug 08, 2011 08:14 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kathy

 

Thanks for sharing outstanding tips on getting extra storage, they make real sense.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 08, 2011 08:45 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Kathy - all great tips and advice we all need to prepare for moving  - had no idea you could get free boxes on Craig list - that's a real money saver!

Aug 08, 2011 10:00 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Marco- I don't know if it's a new thing but in the past people were happy to give them away for free.  I've seen that some people are charging for them. But, it's still less than having to buy them all. 

Lou- I never knew that even storage units owned by the same company and in the same city would have different rates!

Kristine- If you recommend Craigslist you have to act quickly when you see the boxes for free.  

Aug 08, 2011 11:53 AM
Michael Thornton
RadnorLake Video - Nashville, TN
Nashville Area - Photography & Videography
Good afternoon, Kathy. What cool advise. I would not have thought to ask these questions. Wow!!!
Aug 08, 2011 12:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael- I wouldn't have either until I started asking the storage rep some questions. 

Aug 08, 2011 03:27 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

You are always educating-great blog-thank you!!!

Aug 08, 2011 03:41 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Kathy, never thought about placing boxes on Craigslist.  I wished I new about this when I was packing our belongings and storing them in public storage. Definitely a great way to recycle for the environment.

Aug 08, 2011 03:51 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Kathy--this is a great post, especially since most homeowners will not have done this before and will be under a bit of duress shopping for storage since they will be selling.  Storage on Maui is so very, very expensive that I keep wracking my brain for alternatives for my clients. 

Aug 08, 2011 05:33 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You're just full of great ideas BARFF............excellent list to help anyone who is moving.  Have you been an Ambassador since I've known you or did I just notice that at this hideous time of the morning when I'm wide awake for some hideous reason?

Aug 08, 2011 09:14 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

You did a lot of research on this one, Kathy. Great information and looks like Kevin was a big help. I really like the bit about boxes on Craig's list...good tip.

Aug 09, 2011 12:39 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good tips for home sellers in any city. Thanks for sharing your suggestions.

 Blooming for you!

Aug 09, 2011 01:22 AM
Pam Hills
Innovative Artistry - Kendall, FL
ASP/IAHSP- Stager Miami, FL, Creative Minds Innovatively At Work

Dear Kathy,

Great Post & good advice.  I just wanted to add that I have found also there are better prices to be shopped if you try to reserve on line prior to getting the rental.  Sometimes it has saved me up to $100 on the rental!!  Commonly it has been $25 a unit, but I did save $100 for year recently...  Same thing with getting Pizza if you get it from Pizza Hut (there is usually a little savings there also by ordering on line... :)..)  Thanks again!  Pam

Aug 09, 2011 02:38 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Kathy, great info. I bookmarked. I usually ask for free boxes at our local wal mart at the layaway area.

Aug 09, 2011 02:38 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

THank you for this and I will pass this along to clients.

Aug 09, 2011 10:08 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Kathy - This is a great approach to getting the right size storage space at the right price. Most people putting their homes on the market could do with an off-site storage space unless they're willing to drastcially downsize their belongings. I hit Suggest.

Aug 10, 2011 01:54 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Cathy- I had no idea about the storage units (re: different pricing) until I started speaking with the rep.  Hope you can use the info.)

Rebecca- We got all of our boxes that way when we moved back to FL, then gave them away once we'd unpacked.  The great thing besides recycling is that often you can get wardrobe boxes, paper and boxes for art work.

Janet- it's all about real estate, right!  When you look at the big picture, getting offsite storage makes sense and it can be relatively inexpensive.

BARFF- I think I've been one about a month.  Not sure.  

Toni- on CraigsList, you have to look every day and be willing to get them ASAP.  I've seen some down here who are charging for them.  Well, it's still less than paying for them retail.

Roy- thank you!!! I'd bet the biggest concern for Realtors is the amount of clutter that people have... and the sellers just don't know what to do with it. 

Pam- good advice!  We've been making our own pizza but I used to order online.

Anna- that's a good source but the actual moving boxes are often sturdier.

Wendy- hope they can use the info!

Judy- Thanks for the suggest.  I think if we have done some of the leg work for the sellers, it helps them.  Many have no idea what the cost will be so are afraid to look into it.

Aug 10, 2011 03:14 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Kathy-Another good set of tips. I've made the recommendation before, but only in a general sense. Your tips put real focus on the subject.

Aug 12, 2011 05:16 PM
Carol Barron Cross
SUNFLOWER HOMES & EQUESTRIAN LLC - Palm City, FL
Sunflower Homes & Equestrian LLC

Super tips.  Thanks so much.

Aug 16, 2011 12:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Wayne- I think so many people shy away from storage space because they're not sure what it costs and think they'll get locked into something long term.

Carol- thanks for stopping by and hope you can use these tips!

Aug 16, 2011 01:07 AM