The Mojave Desert here in Southern California is a popular destination for investing in real estate and especially buying a second home. If you live in the Midwest, North or Northeast, buying Palm Springs Real Estate or retiring here in Palm Springs and surrounding areas is a desirable choice.
Moving is stressful and deciding what to take is challenging. There are some simple and handy tips to keep in mind though to make your move a smooth and less disruptive one.
Moving Tips
Get Rid of What You Dont Need First
Throw out, sell, give away or store anything you don't need. If your second home is furnished, then you won't need to move all your furniture. If it is not, then you will have to decide what pieces go and which don't. You may need to buy some new furniture and accessories. Ask yourself a few questions.
Does it match or fit my second home?
- Is it something I really use and need?
- Can I get rid of it easily?
- Are you sizing up or sizing down.
Throw Away
If you don't use it or need it, throw it away. Avoid the pack rat syndrome.
Donations
Donations are a good way to get rid of items, and they can be tax deductible if they are given to a qualified charitable organization. Be sure to get a receipt.
Give Aways
Giving items to friends and family is another way to get rid of unwanted items. If you are moving from part of the country to another, there will probably be items that you will not use.
Sell It
Having a garage sell or selling items on Ebay is a great way to raise some extra cash to put towards your moving costs.
Storage
If you have items that are valuable or sentimental and you want to keep them, you may want to look into storing them at a mini-storage facility. There are many companies that have self storage lockers for a nominal monthly fee.
Moving Yourself Versus Movers
Professional Movers
Once you decide what you are taking, the next decision you need to make is whether you will be moving the items yourself or hiring professional movers. If you are moving close by, then doing it yourself with the help of friends or family is the most economical. If you are moving long distance, you may want to use professional movers. Determining factors you should consider are how much furniture and other items do you have to move, how heavy are the items, are there stairs or elevators and how easy is the access to them, and how much help do you have.
If you decide to use pros, I suggest getting three quotes. Obtain a referral from your Realtor, neighbor or family member. Otherwise, try the yellow pages and call around. It is also smart to buy short-term insurance. Options available are basic liability, declared value protection and replacement coverage. Check with your movers to determine what coverage they offer. You may also want to call your own insurance company and find out if you need to purchase additional coverage.
If you need to transport a vehicle across country, you may want to look into companies that will do that for you. The prices vary so shop around.
Checklist
Finally, have a moving day checklist handy. It will make your moving experience more pleasant and less stressful.
If you are interested in buying or selling Palm Springs Real Estate or real estate in the surrounding Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and other desert communities, Elaine Stewart is the Real Estate Agent to call. With 20 years of experience in the Real Estate market, Elaine truly enjoys helping people with the process of buying or selling a home. For more information on Palm Springs Real Estate, visit Elaine at her website at http://www.investdesert.com or contact her at (760) 391-4415, cell (760) 668-2399, desertrealestate1@yahoo.com
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