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Mel Foster Co.’s relocation specialists have helped thousands of families relocate to the Quad Cities. Our award-winning staff offers a variety of relocation and real estate services. There is so much to think about and do when planning a move and we can help!

Once you’ve found a home in your new community and set a closing date, contact a mover. Your Mel Foster relocation specialist can help you find moving companies. It’s never too soon to start sorting through your closets and storage areas and determining what you need to keep, donate or throw away.

As you pack up your photos, take a look at your furniture and decide if you need to sell pieces or purchase additional items for your new home. Measure your furniture and consider if it will fit into the floor plan at your new home.

Start a moving paperwork file and find new providers in your community or transfer your records. Be sure to find a new bank, doctor, dentist and vet. Research clubs or civic organizations in your new town and contact the local church to let them know you’re relocating.

About a month prior to your move, check these items off your list:

Change your address with the post office and IRS.
Forward magazines and newspapers to your new address.
Contact utility companies in both your old and new location.
Make travel arrangements.
Contact your insurance agent in both your old and new location.

With a little planning and help from Mel Foster Co.’s relocation specialists, your next move can be an exciting adventure!

Say goodbye to throwing away rent money every month and hello to owning your own home. It’s an exciting time in your life and following a few simple tips can make it a rewarding experience.

1. Know what you can afford.

Gather one year’s worth of your household expenses. Include credit card payments, loans, auto insurance, groceries, utilities and entertainment expenses for each month. All money that goes out each month needs to be tracked, even that $4 coffee once a week. Figure your monthly take home pay, minus the list of expenses, and that gives you a ballpark figure of what you can afford to spend. But remember, this includes your monthly mortgage, taxes, insurance and maintenance. Be sure to leave a cushion for emergencies.

2. Get pre-approved.

This step includes having lenders scrutinize your credit history and score, so make sure your credit history is accurate before this step. Read our blog, How To Prepare For Pre-qualification, for help in getting ready for this step. (include hyperlink to Dec 11 blog article, http://www.melfosterco.com/blog-detail.html?id=8)

3. Make a want vs. need list.

Set realistic priorities and make clear distinction between what you really need versus what you want. Your need list includes things you cannot live without and will be different for each person. Commute time and number of bedrooms usually fall into the need category. Stainless appliances could be added in the future, so they fall into the want category.

4. Scope out the hood.

Gather information about taxes, schools and crime rates from the neighborhoods you are considering. Take a drive through the neighborhood at night and ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable walking alone at night in this neighborhood?” If you see neighbors outside during one of your drive bys, stop and ask about the area. Find out if there is a dog that barks all day, a loud motorcycle that starts at 5 am or neighbors who like to have loud parties well into the night.

5. Find a trustworthy home inspector.

It’s wise to always have a home inspection before you buy. There could be dangers hidden behind walls, even in new construction. It’s always better to know about potentially costly repairs before you buy a property. You can also use that the home inspector finds as leverage when submitting an offer. Sellers are often willing to fix issues before you move in as part of the sales agreement.

What’s hiding behind those walls?

Tag: home

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