The BLOG

Image credit: Reinhart Realtors

We all know that big cities like New York and San Francisco offer residents and visitors alike a sterling opportunity to leave their cars parked and navigate by foot, bike, public transportation, or other alternative means of getting from Point A to Point B. However, those booming metropolitan centers can be pricy to live in, not to mention overwhelming, particularly if you prefer a slightly slower pace. Thankfully, there are plenty of towns and small cities all over the country that welcome walkers and bicyclists, so we’re going to devote some time to exploring these places, outlining their positive attributes, and taking a look at the state of their real estate markets, just in case you’re ready to let go of your automobile and live a more green and sustainable lifestyle without it. The first stop on our tour: Ann Arbor, Michigan.

RELATED: The Complete Guide to Moving to Michigan

Do you understand the current market value? Are you prepared for a bidding war? Can you navigate your way through the necessary paperwork involved in a closing? Even if you’ve been through it before, selling a home is a complicated process. The Step-by-Step Home Selling Guide will break down the real estate jargon, financial considerations and best tactics, walking you through the sale from start to close. Even better? It’s now available on Amazon and your Kindle.

Allegra,

I have no idea if I should move or not and I’m feeling totally stalled! Knowing what I will be giving up—mainly staying near my friends and family—keeps me feeling paralyzed and very frustrated with my indecision. I want to get out and discover new places, but how can I leave everyone here that I love so much?  

—Colleen

Colleen: You hit the nail on the head—the big kahuna when it comes to the pain that can come from moving and relocation.

I recently asked my audience, "What was the most difficult thing you had to let go of during a big move?" 

The clear winner was “friends and family.” 

“Fresh vegetables” came in a close second.

RELATED: Overcoming the Emotional Stress of Moving

While I’ve logged plenty of road trips, the majority of home moves I’ve done in my time have been local and within the same state. And here’s the thing many clients don’t know about intrastate home moves: Time is money. Unlike interstate moves, where the total weight of your belongings determines your moving company’s bill, for moves within the same state, the amount of time you need movers is an important factor. And because we all want to save cash wherever possible, here are my five tips to save time on intrastate home moves.

RELATED: Fixed Rate vs. Hourly: What's the Difference for Your Move?

Image credit: Goodshot/Thinkstock

You’re lugging around furniture all day, eating meals on the floor of an empty room, and have absolutely no clue in which box your hairdryer was packed—we get it. Having a good hair day during a move is the last thing on your mind. But there are ways you can do your hair on moving day that’ll be both practical (no one wants hair falling in their face while maneuvering a couch through a doorway) and stylish (hey, who doesn’t want to make a good first impression in the new neighborhood?). I’ve rounded up some hairstyle inspiration to jazz up your moving day.

RELATED: Buy Boxes and Packing Supplies from Our Online Store

Whether or not your dad has recently moved, don’t stress about what to get him for Father’s Day this year. We have the perfect deals from what I'm sure are his favorite stores − so snag a last-minute gift for your favorite guy through one of the links below. Don't forget you can buy online and pick up in store at most of these places!

Lowes

If you’re thinking about buying anything for your handy dad, Lowe’s should be one of the first places that pops in your mind. Choose gifts based on the kind of person your dad is− is he a passionate griller? A technical mechanic? An active outdoorsman? Lowe’s has thousands of products to choose from for all kinds of dads. And if you’re on a tight budget, you can even search gifts by price. DEWALT 100-Piece Metal Twist Drill Bit Set DWA4CASETLW drops from $49.97 to $24.97 perfect for all his drilling and driving needs. The Mission Blue Polyester EnduraCool Instant Cooling Towel drops from $17.98 to $14.98 and instantly cools down when in contact with water. Perfect for the hot summer months. And the Kobalt 800-Watt LED Portable Work Light drops from $19.97 to $9.97, ideal for his late night projects. Lowe’s also offers free in store pick-up when you buy online.

Though many hire professional movers and are pleased with the results, the task should involve more than a quick search online or in the phonebook. Moving fraud and moving horror stories aren’t uncommon. As a veteran mover who hates seeing even one client disappointed, I put together the following list of tips to help guide you through the process of finding movers who will treat you and your belongings with the respect and professionalism you deserve.

Even if you’re pressed for time and facing a last-minute move on a tight budget, remember that getting moving help is an important decision. You’re about to give people you’ve never met access to all your worldly possessions. Don’t make a hasty decision.

RELATED: How to Avoid Moving Scams Infographic

Call me spoiled, but as a city girl, I’ve always taken warm water for granted. There are two conditions for my daily functioning: hot coffee and a steaming shower. Without both, I’m as charming as a tiger with a toothache. So imagine my shock—and my partner’s apprehension—when a few weeks after moving to a picturesque home in rural Massachusetts, our hot water supply dwindled and, within a few hours, completely disappeared. The water from the faucets was freezing cold well water. Our idyllic country home had suddenly turned into a shivering nightmare. It was clear we had to take immediate action.

RELATED: Search Local Plumbers

Living downtown can be fun, but moving into an apartment above a business comes with its own set of challenges—not least of all, backing a moving truck into a 20-minute loading zone. When it comes to living above a business, I always tell folks not to sign the lease until they’ve seen what the place is like during business hours. A picturesque Italian restaurant can look great from the outside, but you might lose your appetite for lasagna and rethink that trip to Rome after a couple of months in your new place.

RELATED: Buy Packing Supplies and Boxes before Your Move

Ryan and Ellen Rossi on their wedding day, September 2011

It’s not uncommon for marriage and moving go hand in hand. You may be moving in with your spouse for the first time, upgrading to a larger home in anticipation of a family, or settling into a new location that better suits married life. However, if you or your spouse is in the Coast Guard, marriage will go hand in hand with not just one move, but frequent relocations throughout the years. There are challenges to the lifestyle, but also great opportunity in being exposed to so many different parts of the country. I spoke with Ryan and Ellen Rossi, who will be married two years this September, about their personal experience with relocation in the Coast Guard.

A Walk Down the Aisle & A Coast Guard Career

Ryan started his Coast Guard career six years ago this September on the Coast Guard Cutter MORGENTHAU out of Alameda, CA. As Ryan explains, “It was a 378-foot cutter whose mission was mostly drug interdiction in the South Pacific. I sailed to Southeast Asia along with a group of US Navy ships for seven months where we traded information and training tactics with the Navy and Coast Guard of the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. This was a great experience for me, as before leaving for the Coast Guard, I had never seen much of the world outside of Massachusetts. But I believe it was a lot easier to be away for so long as a single person rather than being married.”

RELATED: 7 Tips for Notifying Everyone of Your Married Name Change