Friday, September 4, 2009

Why Now Is the Best Time to Buy A Home

In hard economic times like these, the last thing probably on your mind is purchasing a house. The economy is tanking and it is bringing down the housing market making the real estate more affordable than ever! It is a devastating time for those unfortunate homeowners who are losing their homes to the bank, but some people can look to this as an opening. If you can afford the down payment, why not take a plunge into this one in a lifetime opportunity.

According to the National Association of Realtors' housing affordability index, homes are more affordable now than any other time since the 1970’s. Because of foreclosures, banks are desperately trying to get rid of all these homes they have possessed with lower rates in hopes of initiating a buyer’s market. Not only are the banks making the housing price incredibly low, they are changing their mortgage rates. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have reached a level not seen in decades. In July, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.42%, according to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage survey. Another benefit to purchasing a home today is that you can receive a federal credit of up to $8,000 for buyers who haven't owned a home in the past three years.

They are many reasons why now is the best time to purchase a home. There is a plentiful supply of unsold existing homes desperate to be sold. This is because of the buyers have more to choose from causing housing rates to go way down so everyone can compete. Also banks are willing to negotiate with you, they have reduced mortgage rates and even down payment amounts so you can take the house off of their hands. Houses are nearly at half of what they used to be, and this may be an excellent opportunity for you to jump on the bandwagon and buy the house of your dreams for less. And when you do move into your dream home make sure you get help, professional movers are willing to negotiate a fair price for their services.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Just Some Moving Tips

Moving Day is probably one of the most dreaded days. It is exhausting, stressful, and at times can be detrimental to physical well-being. There are plenty of ways for one to ease the stress of moving day. Here are some tips to remove the stress and danger of moving:

Start packing a few weeks ahead of time. Packing is probably the most annoying aspect of moving. It is tedious and nobody wants to do it. Instead pack a box or two a day starting a few weeks before the actual move. Pack things that do not need to be used and just set them aside. So when the moving day comes around, it is just pick up and go.

Call friends to help. Having some friends around to help with the move takes a load off. Give them a call a couple of weeks in advance to see if they are available. Do not forget to offer some kind of incentive such as buying lunch because they are doing a huge favor.

Wrap and pad breakables. When it comes to fragile materials, it is important to make sure that they are wrapped and padded properly before packing. Not only will they have a chance to break, it can become a safety hazard if there are any shards of glass or plastic lying around when it is time to unload.

Be sure to lift properly. Many injuries of heavy lifting can be avoided by using the right technique to lift. Keep arms close to the body and bend with the legs keeping the back straight. Lift with the legs and proceed slowly one step at a time. A weight belt can aid in proper lifting as it does keep the back straight.

These are just a few tips to help keep the stress off, and it also will help to maintain a safe move. Remember, safety always comes first.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Moving Stress

The American lifestyle is demanding and stressful. We are all victims of the “rat race” particularly during difficult economic periods. Balancing work, family, spirituality and leisure can be very complex considering the many minute tasks that come in-between our most essential responsibilities. Moving is a nuisance, but can also be vital for our business or personal lives. It entails time and money and whenever these assets come into play, stress is almost always present. According to the Employee Relocation Council moving is one of the most stressful events along with divorce and death. Seeking a San Diego mover to help you is something to strongly consider. Many moving companies concentrate on the tangible, but Across Town Movers, one of the relocation companies in San Diego, has been in the industry for over twenty years and we acknowledge the personal stress our clients may be experiencing. As a professional San Diego moving and storage business Across Town Movers recognizes we are moving your life and business and not just your furniture and equipment.
There are several methods and resources available to reduce or even eliminate moving stress. For example, giving yourself plenty of moving time, 7-8 weeks is suggested, this will allow you to prepare for the actual moving day. Unfortunately in countless circumstances we don’t have the luxury of time; as a result asking for assistance from a San Diego moving and storage company is the finest solution. Across Town Movers has sufficient resources and experience to make your next moving experience a stress free one.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Guidelines for the big move

When that time comes to move to a new house or apartment, the feeling of excitement is replaced with stress and anxiety. Moving is never a pleasant experience. Long hours are spent packing loose items, organizing and boxing belongings, and unloading everything. It usually takes several weeks to finish. And the fun does not stop there. People have to also consider whether they want to rent a trailer or go through a third party to help with the headache of moving from one home to the next.

There are countless things to think about and consider when dealing with this type of situation. But it does not have to be as taxing as one may think. There are many tips that professionals help alleviate the pressure, as well as their assistance in the actual moving process. Across Town Movers specialize in this exact field, moving people across town or to another state, despite their name. This quality and sound company has been in business for over 21 years, and provides several other services that are valuable for this specific experience. Not only do they offer packing supplies, but also have storage space available to keep those precious possessions safe.

And if people choose to save a little money during this economic crisis, Across Town Movers still wants to be there along the way to guide people into an easy transition. They offer the following guidelines to go by before, during, and after the big moving day:

1. Don’t move anything you don’t want to keep. Have a garage sale before you pack. Rent a San Diego storage unit or give what’s left to charity; just make sure you get a receipt for your tax records.

2. Pack by room for the new house. Decide where furniture and rugs will go before your local movers start unloading.

3. Avoid moving loose items. Have your San Diego packing and moving service pack all small pieces in boxes with labels listing the contents of each carton. That way, you’ll know what’s in each box.

4. Measure doorways, halls and rooms in the new house to make sure your furniture and appliances fit.

5. Clean up the new house before the move. Allow extra time for painting (at least a week), and two weeks for refinishing floors.

6. Pack necessities in your car, not the moving van. You should take along the items you’ll need immediately. Items we suggest leaving out are your toolbox, cleaning supplies (the moving van will not transport aerosol cans, paints, and cleaners), phones, toiletries, toys for the kids, and a change of clothing. If you can’t live without your coffee, put the coffee maker on the list too.

7. As tempting as it is to send everything in the same truck, it’s a mistake to pack and ship any items that are extremely valuable or irreplaceable such as stamp and coin collections, jewelry, important papers (financial records, school records, and medical records), or dangerous, such as guns and ammunition, etc. You never know what will happen, so heirlooms and scrapbooks don’t belong in the van either. Keep all these items with you “just in case.”

8. Get help from friends and family to watch or keep the kids and pets on moving day.

9. Allow at least a day for cleaning up the old house. Consider using a professional cleaning service.

10. To reduce clutter, break down boxes as you unpack. (Save a few to hold packing material and trash.)

11. Notify gas, electric and phone companies to discontinue service the day following your move. Keep a phone directory with you of all old and new contacts including utilities, doctors, schools, etc.

12. Contact your San Diego moving company at least 48 hours in advance to confirm your move date, move time and addresses. Make sure all the information is correct before your moving day. You don’t want to sweat the small stuff on the big day.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Plan Out Where Everything Goes Before the Move

At Across Town Movers CA, we know that moving to a new home can be extremely exciting – a new place to make your own! But it can also appear to be overwhelming considering all the little tasks (call the phone company, pack the boxes, etc.) that are in store for you. But, no fear, it’s all in the planning.

Don’t wait until moving day has already begun to start planning the décor of your new home. To really stay on track with a smooth and organized move, visit your new home often so you will already know where everything goes before the big day arrives. In your family room, decide which direction your couch will face, where the television will go, where the pictures on the walls will hang. For your bedroom, plan where your bed will go and on which side your nightstand will sit. It will be a huge help if you already know exactly where you can tell the moving men to put your furniture. That way you can go straight into putting magazines, books, and knick-knack decorations right where they belong instead of leaving them in a pile of boxes for months to come!

When you’re packing up your belongings, put things in the same boxes that belong in the same room. Therefore, when you label your boxes, you can just write which room they belong in, making it much easier to unpack. Don’t waste time running back and forth throughout your new home putting things where they actually belong. Decide which things go in which rooms before you move. It may take a little longer to pack this way, but it will save you enormous amounts of time unpacking!

Another tip while packing is to keep in mind what can be thrown or given away. While you are packing up that huge closet of yours, don’t just blindly throw things into a box. Look for things that you don’t want anymore. Not only will is save on the amount of boxes to move, but it will also save on the amount of clutter in your new place. Your new home will be a fresh start, so try to keep it clean and organized from the start!

Now that you have already decided where everything will go, the next step is to ask the San Diego moving and storage packers to pack the moving truck according to what rooms you would like to set up first. If you would like to set up your bedroom first, have the movers carry those boxes to the truck last so they will be the first boxes taken out of the truck when you arrive at your new home. Now you can get started organizing your bedroom belongings first, while the movers unpack the rest of your boxes. This way, after a long, hard day of cleaning, organizing, and moving, you’ll have a comfy bedroom to rest in on your first night’s stay.

Moving into a new home is a great time to make a fresh start. Make new memories and get excited!