Find the “Right” Agent Before the “Right” Home

Interesting Blog Post by Randy
http://www.meltonmoving.com

Randy's Real Estate Insights - A View from West Michigan

What Buyers Want.pngIt’s a common practice for buyers to make a list of what they want in a home during the search process and to explain it to their agent. However, maybe the first list they should make would have the skills they want their agent to have.

The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers identifies what buyers want most from their agents and as you’d expect, help with finding the right home was ranked highest most often. While it is important, it may not be the most unique of the desired area of expertise.

Equally essential to the success of the transaction are the combination of help with price and terms negotiations and assistance with the paperwork, comparable sales, qualifying and financing.

To summarize the responses in the survey, Buyers want help from their agents with two things: to find the right home and to get it at the right price…

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Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

September 23, 2013
http://www.movemyworkplace.com

Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

Running an entire office can be difficult, but a commercial move is downright impossible unless you’ve established a proper strategy. According to the Silicon Valley Mercury News, internet giant Facebook recently moved to the city of Menlo Park and will soon be taking up residence in the former headquarters of Sun Microsystems. It’s a certainty that such an enormous move is being carefully planned and executed with the help of a moving and relocation company.

The first thing to consider is where every item is going to go. Moving an entire company should begin with a familiarity of the new space. Make maps with accurate measurements that depict every room so that you can decide the best location for every desk, computer and chair in the space. Failing to do so means the corporate relocation company will have to stack boxes and furniture randomly, making the move take twice as long.

You can also use such a move as an opportunity to upgrade certain elements in your office. For example, if you’ve been meaning to improve the desks that your staff uses, don’t put it off until after everything’s been taken to a new building. Instead, get rid of the old units during the process of packing and have new items shipped to your upgraded office.

Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

 

October 23, 2013

 www.movemyworkplace.com

 

Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

Running an entire office can be difficult, but a commercial move is downright impossible unless you’ve established a proper strategy. According to the Silicon Valley Mercury News, internet giant Facebook recently moved to the city of Menlo Park and will soon be taking up residence in the former headquarters of Sun Microsystems. It’s a certainty that such an enormous move is being carefully planned and executed with the help of a moving and relocation company.

The first thing to consider is where every item is going to go. Moving an entire company should begin with a familiarity of the new space. Make maps with accurate measurements that depict every room so that you can decide the best location for every desk, computer and chair in the space. Failing to do so means the corporate relocation company will have to stack boxes and furniture randomly, making the move take twice as long.

You can also use such a move as an opportunity to upgrade certain elements in your office. For example, if you’ve been meaning to improve the desks that your staff uses, don’t put it off until after everything’s been taken to a new building. Instead, get rid of the old units during the process of packing and have new items shipped to your upgraded office.

Hire a corporate relocation company to properly move an entire office

 

October 22, 2013

 

Hire a corporate relocation company to properly move an entire office

When an organization moves from one office to another, it usually signals the growth all companies strive for. However, the process can be long and grueling when not properly planned and executed. Once you’ve hired the right corporate relocation company, you’ll need to take some crucial steps to make sure everything goes smoothly and is over as quickly as possible.

Pack by department There’s nothing more frustrating than opening a box of computers, files or tools and not knowing where they’re meant to go. In fact, only the people who are familiar with such items are going to know exactly where they belong. Consequently, be sure all the items used by certain departments are grouped together so those employees can subsequently take them out and organized them after a moving and relocation company has brought them inside.

Plan in advance Moving of any sort probably doesn’t fall in the typical schedule of most organizations, so be sure not to expect to do much work on the days packing and unpacking are taking in place. Keep in mind that while a lot of the packing and transportation will be taken care of by the relocation movers, it’s necessary to have employees oversee some of the more sensitive materials as they’re put away. In addition to knowing how best to handle certain tools and machines, employees often need to handle confidential files and records themselves.

Test items and tools Like when a person is moving from one house to another, moving an office is a great chance to thin out some possessions. For example, out-of-date computers, printers and other machines might have accumulated over the years, so make sure to dispose of them properly instead of simply shoveling the mess from one space to another. Additionally, a move is a great opportunity to digitize records and convert to a paperless office.

Celebrate A corporate relocation certainly disrupts the general workflow of any kind of business. Remember not to be too hard on workers during this stressful time since they shouldn’t necessarily be expected to perform work during such a time. You should also try to reward employees with some kind of celebration in thanks for their understanding, and to ring in a new era in a new office or

Pet owners need to keep their furry friends in mind when relocating to a new area

 

October 17, 2013

 MELTON MOVING recommends PET EXPRESS for pet moving services. 

Pet owners need to keep their furry friends in mind when relocating to a new area

Moving to a region or city that you are unfamiliar with can be a fairly daunting task. Without an established social network of friends and family members, it is up to you to reach out and find new people to share your experiences with. The first few months of a move often feature a settling-in period, and many people who relocate can feel a bit lonely during this time. Owning a pet can ensure that there is at least one friendly face waiting when you come home at the end of the day, and a few tips can be followed to take care of domesticated animals during a big move.

Before hiring moving companies that will move your stuff across the country, do a little research on your new neighborhood. Since some residential areas have restrictions on the types of pets citizens can own, it is a good idea to check and make sure your pet is allowed. These laws can be very strict, even detailing the breed of a dog or cat. If your pet does not meet the necessary requirements, it might be better to depart with your beloved animal and give it up for adoption rather than drag it to a distant new home.

But if everything checks out, you need to limit the stress an animal can feel when facing a move. Just like a human being, animals are aware of people’s feelings, and the more upset you are, the more energetic and misbehaved your pet can be. When you are packing up your belongings, it is a good idea to keep a pet out of your organizational area. There are plenty of horror stories about pets accidentally being packed away inside a container.

Moving and relocating can bring out the worst in people, but as long as you stay calm, your pet will too. Emotional reassurance is key, so don’t forget to scratch Fido behind the ears every once and awhile as you wait for van line movers to show up.

Most movers and moving service companies do not allow for pet transport, so it is likely you are going to have to transport an animal yourself. If traveling by car, keep the windows closed or open only a crack to avoid any unexpected escape attempts. If taking public transportation, make sure that the airline, bus or train allows domesticated animals on a vehicle. If one is traveling long distances or if the pet is too large to transport, a moving company can put customers in touch with professional pet movers.

Should I move to my vacation destination?

 

October 16, 2013

 

Should I move to my vacation destination?

For some homeowners, short vacations aren’t enough and they decide that moving out of state to live in their favorite relaxing spots is the best solution. Living in a tourist area isn’t the same as visiting it for short amount of time.

As with any city, there are advantages and disadvantages to living in an area that’s primarily known for housing vacationers. Read on for a look at some of the benefits and downsides you should keep in mind before hiring a household moving company to transport your belongings to a tourist town.

Pro: Entertainment No vacation is complete without going on a few adventures. Moving to your favorite spot means you’ll be close to your favorite attractions. For instance, you’ll no longer have to drive for hours to go hiking or swimming. You can enjoy your hobbies year-round rather than relegating them to a few days.

Con: Seasonal trends MSN Real Estate recently pointed out that living near popular tourist destinations is usually a boon for small businesses. The news source also writes that some enterprising residents rent rooms to travelers. While it can be exciting to see so many new people, eventually their welcomes can become overstayed.

During popular vacation months, you can likely expect long lines in your favorite establishments and massive traffic delays. The flipside is that your neighborhood will turn into a ghost town once the tourists go home, which can be very dull.

Pro: Booming economy American Financial Resources writes that tourist destinations often have some of the best local economies. While the hospitality industry does particularly well in these areas, small businesses and other sectors also see increases in patronage once vacationers come to town.

The primary advantage of regular economic upswings is that it’s very easy to find work – especially seasonal positions. Moving to a tourist hotspot may be the best solution if you’ve been considering a career switch or have struggled to find employment in your current location.

Con: Too much of a good thing Sometimes the best part of vacations is that they provide a change of scenery. It’s a break from the normal routine. A tourist attraction you love for two weeks every summer can quickly become old hat when you live near it 365 days per year.

Once you decide where to move, contact Stevens Worldwide Van Lines. Long distance moving can be difficult and relocation movers from Stevens can ensure that all your belongings are safely packed and shipped to your new abode

How to notify employees about a corporate relocation

 

October 15, 2013

 

How to notify employees about a corporate relocation

A corporate relocation is no easy task. Regardless of the size of your business, you’ll need to inform workers about how a move will affect them.

The ramifications of a business relocation can be significant, especially for larger companies. However, if you provide clear, concise information to workers, you can minimize issues along the way.

Consider the following tips on notifying workers about an upcoming corporate relocation.

1. Be direct When breaking big news to workers, a direct approach is best. You’ll want to avoid gossip and rumors, so be sure to provide information to employees using a variety of mediums to ensure that they understand every aspect of the relocation.

Craft a message that is easy to understand, as this will help avoid confusion. Additionally, a supervisor can deliver this information directly to employees before it is distributed through other outlets. Managers can meet directly with each worker or can provide information about a relocation during a team meeting.

2. Outline the impact of a move Relocations happen for a number of reasons, so be sure to offer plenty of information to workers about why the move is going to take place. If a company is downsizing, try to host one-on-one meetings with employees who will be directly affected by the move.

It can be difficult to answer every worker’s questions after the announcement, but use the information at your disposal to respond to their concerns. There will likely be plenty of questions, so take the time necessary to alleviate workers’ worries.

Give workers a relocation timeline that includes the moving day and when operations will resume at the new address. Employees need time to get ready, so provide as much information as you can in order to help them prepare.

3. Stay available The weeks and days leading up to a relocation can be stressful, but there are several ways you can help workers during the moving process.

Stay available to answer questions and concerns. Encourage workers to speak with supervisors directly if they need help packing their belongings for the big day.

A moving company like Stevens Worldwide Van Lines can have a significant impact on a business that is relocating. The professional relocation movers at Stevens are skilled and experienced, and they can provide advice to help workers safely transport their belongings from one location to another. 

Common checklist items forgotten in a move

 

October 12, 2013

 

Common checklist items forgotten in a move

Moving is often a stressful time for everyone involved. There are countless details to remember, things to organize and arrangements to make. So, it is no surprise that even with the help of a household moving company, a homeowner may forget a few items on his or her to-do list. 
Here are four items that homeowners commonly forget:

1. Phone books. You may think that you don’t need the phone book for your old neighborhood if you are moving away. However, if you have any connections to the local community, it may be a smart idea to pack this book with you so that you can easily look up any numbers and avoid surcharges from 411 services as well as the aggravation of searching.

2. Trash and recycling bins. These possibly smelly vessels play an important function in a household, yet they often remain outside. Because trash and recycling bins are needed up to the very last minute of a move, a homeowner may forget to have them included in their moving checklist. A great amount of trash is generated when unpacking your home, and you don’t want to have to stop what you are doing to go purchase new bins.

3. Garage opener. In your efforts to provide the new owner of your home every key, instruction manual and code, you may forget to leave the garage opener. This electronic piece of equipment typically stays in your car, which is why it may not occur to you to check vehicles before vacating the premises for the last time. It can be frustrating and pricey to recode a garage, so try and leave the old remote opener for the new property owners.

4. Contents of a safe. If you have a safe included in the design of your home you may store many important documents, expensive jewelry and other various items in the unit. Because you most likely do not open your safe on a regular basis, you might forget to clear out these various possessions. Make sure to include “checking the safe” on your to-do list and remove everything from the unit. Then, delete the password or tie the key to the handle and leave the door to the safe open so that the new owners can easily find and move their belongings into it.

 

 

 

 

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