HELPFUL TIPS FOR MOVING WITH CHILDREN

Moving can be a stressful time in your life. Add children into the mix and moving could begin to seem unbearable. Fortunately, there are some simple things that you can do to help prepare your children for the impending move and help things go smoothly throughout the entire process.

Talk with your children. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, this will help them to know what to expect throughout the entire move. Explain to your children that the move is exciting and encourage them to express how they are feeling about the situation. Depending on age, there are also many great books that you can read to help younger children better understand the move.

Involve them in the process. If you haven't already purchased a house, try to include them in the process as much as possible. This will make them feel included and let them know that their opinions count. If the house is too far for them to visit, show them photos and even let them see their new room.

Have a yard sale. In order to save money and space while moving, have a family yard sale. Let your children pick out things of their own to sell and they can use the money they make to buy things for their new room.

Visit your new area. If you are able to visit your new town or area, bring your children along to check it out. Drive/walk around and show them areas like parks, schools, and playgrounds. When your children have new things to look forward to, it will make old things easier to leave.

Have a party. Even if you aren’t moving far away, children often have an emotional connection to their house. Having a farewell party for your house can be a great way to make sure your children have happy memories about leaving. If you are moving farther away and visiting friends and family might be a bit more difficult, have a “See You Soon” party. This can be a great time to make sure your children have contact information for all their friends. With so many ways to keep in touch, (phone, email, text, FaceTime) it should be much easier to say “See you soon!”

Once you're in your new home, let the little ones help decorate their new room. This will help them to feel comfortable in the new space and it will feel much more familiar when it is filled with their own things. Also, let your kids explore their new home and surrounding area. This will help them get comfortable at their own speed. 

Moving with children is always a challenge, but it doesn't have to be an overly stressful situation. With a few simple preparations and a little creativity, it can be an exciting time for everyone. Earle W. Noyes & Sons has over 90 years of experience moving families and we do everything we can to help make moving with children as easy as possible. Please consider giving us a call or visiting our website for more information.

Sources: HowStuffWorks, ParentSquad,

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR STORAGE UNIT

Storage units provide a great place to keep your belongings while you move, renovate or if you’re looking to de-clutter your home and your mind. Here are some tips to get the most out of your storage unit and how to pack it effectively.

Choose the Right Size 

Pick a unit that meets your needs. In this case, bigger can be better. If you’re unsure of exactly how much you’re going to store, choosing a larger size storage unit offers extra wiggle-room should you need it. Smaller sizes work as well, but you’ll need to pack them effectively to maximize the space. One unique way to organize your unit is to take painters tape and create a blueprint of the storage unit on the floor of your home. How many boxes do you have? What about loose items like chairs, sofas or side tables? Arrange your boxes and furniture within the tapelines. This will help to determine where items will fit. Use a tape measure to stand in for the unit’s height as you stack boxes and totes. If you don’t have the space in your home to mark out the storage unit’s size, draw a scale version of the unit and your items on paper to find the best arrangement.

Packing and Stacking

If you’re good at Tetris, those skills will come in handy. Boxes and totes are sturdy and great for stacking. They also take up space in a unit and you want to use all the space you can, but do so efficiently. Stacking too many boxes on top of one another can also be dangerous, so make sure you’re stacking boxes and totes so they’re secure. The biggest and heaviest boxes should go on the bottom and smaller, lighter boxes should make their way to the top. Plastic totes and bins also offer a variety of sizes and added sturdiness. Filling extra space in boxes with paper and/or bubble wrap can help prevent items from shifting in the box and getting damaged in transition. Large items like furniture and appliances should be stored at the back of the unit, or hug the walls. Boxes should be stored in the center with aisles left open for you to move safely between items. Don’t forget to lift with your legs and not your back to avoid injury. 

Don’t Randomize. Plan and Organize

This might sound obvious, but organizing your belongings beforehand can alleviate the stress of trying to find something you need access to later. Packing your items into any box may seem like a timesaving method, but trust us; it’s going to cause more problems down the line. Try to group items together so you know where to look for them. In other words, don’t put your kitchenware in the box with your electronics. Things will get lost. Organize the items from each room into groups before placing them in the appropriate boxes. Bedding should be stored with bedding, kitchenware with kitchenware, etc. Part of your plan should include which of these boxes you’ll need access to on a regular basis. Those boxes should be stored up front and shouldn’t require you to have to move too many other items to get to them.

Also, one of the most over-looked organizational techniques is labeling. If you have three boxes marked kitchenware, make a short bulleted list under the label indicating what types of kitchenware items are in the box. Clean refrigerators or other appliances can be used like nesting dolls, with smaller bins and items you stored inside to save space. For example: jewelry can be kept in small totes or dresser drawers but make sure those drawers are marked with an adhesive label that doesn’t leave residue when removed.

Clean It Up

Pretend like your in-laws are coming for an extended stay and clean your belongings before storing them. If you’re storing freezers, refrigerators or other storage containers that are exposed to water, you’ll want to make sure to scrub, disinfect and dry them to prevent mold or bacteria growth. Electronics, such as computers, DVD/Blu Ray players and stereo equipment should be cleaned and wrapped in plastic to prevent dust from settling. Wrapping items is always a good idea before packing them in boxes to prevent scratches and dents, but you won’t have to worry about preventing weather damage in our 270,000 square-foot climate-controlled facility. Noyes Moving offers both vault and self storage options, so give us a call and we can help you decide which option is right for you.

Sources: Apartment, Sparefoot Blog, Moove In, SecureCare, Fitness 19

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall: When is The Best Time to Sell Your Home?

If you’re a homeowner ready to sell, you might wonder when is the best time to list your home. Realty phrases like ‘it’s a buyers’ market and not a sellers’ market,’ is confusing and can even scare some homeowners away from listing their property effectively. And for a homeowner living in an area that experiences each of the four seasons, it’s hard to know how weather affects a home’s price. So, when is the perfect time to sell your home?

Right now.

Spring marks the beginning of the busiest sale and buying season, which lasts throughout the summer, and has the potential for a bigger sale price. Warmer weather and school vacations help ease the moving process for families, and homes show better curb appeal when lawns and gardens are in bloom. For those of us in the northeast, colder weather tends to keep us indoors while warmer weather draws out more buyers. Winter weather also produces quick turnarounds between a buyer and seller, which lead to homes being sold for less than market value.

How Much Should You List Your Home For?

You, or your home appraiser, can determine the cost of selling your home by looking at the comparable data of other houses sold during warmer months for an accurate and fair price. It’s also recommended that you watch what your neighbor’s homes sell for before listing your property. Here are some questions to ask: When did homes sell in your area? Was it during the spring, or was there a spike in the summer? Did the sale price exceed market value.

Why Spring Provides a Magic Window

With such a short amount of time to list, stage and sell a home, you’re probably wondering if there is a certain timeframe which you have to get your home on the market. Some refer to this as The Magic Window. In large metro areas, like Boston, homes listed from mid-March to mid-April sold the fastest and at a higher price. On a national level, homeowners anticipating a quick turnaround, at the maximum sale price, listed their homes in early May and sold their homes nearly a month faster than those listed later in the season.

Moving is So Much Easier

Moving your furniture and valuables seems like a daunting task. Add winter weather into the mix and you might choose not to sell at all. If you hire a moving company like Earle W. Noyes & Sons, we will always take the necessary precautions to help keep your valuables from getting damaged during any kind of weather. Ready to sell your house and move into your dream home? Request a moving quote today.

When Should I Contact Noyes?

As soon as possible! The summer months are the busiest time in the moving industry. We’re often booked to full capacity during the summer. Even if you haven’t sold your house yet, contact us for a free estimate. This will save time and make scheduling easier once your home does sell.

Sources: Zillow, Realtor

WHERE ARE MILLENNIALS MOVING?

When you think about millennials, an image of a college-aged young adult wearing skinny jeans who is always staring down at their iPhone might pop into your head. This may not be too far off from the stereotype of a generation that seems to stretch over two decades. It seems hard to believe that millennials are growing up and becoming important members of society. The truth is, they are growing up, starting careers and looking for the next “it” place to live. In fact, there are so many millennials on the move, economic developers and entire cities have devised plans to lure and accommodate these masses. It has become very clear that there are cities all across the country that seem to attract this generation of young adults. Each location has its own individual characteristics that pull millennials of many different lifestyles and cultures.

AUSTIN, TX

It seems like Austin is always in the media being connected to the millennial generation. There’s a good reason for this. Millennials LOVE Austin, Texas. In the last ten years, young adults have been flocking to Bat City for its rich culture, dedication to the arts, and to be surrounded by other millennials. Austin has a low cost of living, which makes it easy for someone who is just starting their career to find a spot they can afford. Not to mention, the nightlife is great in Austin too. A plethora of exciting bars, restaurants and a small festival that is recognized by the four letters SXSW, only help make Austin, TX paradise for many 18-30 year olds. 

SAN FRANSISCO, CA

Many millennials move to Silicon Valley with hopes of being the next Mark Zuckerberg. The chances that they will start the next Facebook or Google are pretty low, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work for them. If you have gone on the internet in the last 20 years, you have read about the flocks of developers, designers, and motivated tech savvy young adults heading west to the City By The Bay. San Fransisco’s population has been growing exponentially and millennials can shoulder a large part of the blame. With a very attractive job market, beautiful weather all year round, and a diverse culture, San Fransisco should be on any young adults short list.

PORTLAND, OR/ME

Even though these two cites are on opposite sides of the country, they have such a similar culture and vibe, it’s hard to tell them apart. Portland, Oregon has quickly become a millennial hotspot for young adults who are looking to become social entrepreneurs more focused on ethics than gain. Just like Austin, Portland supports creativity and the arts. The city is also a great place for people who like to sneak away to the wildness for relaxation or more exciting outdoor adventures. 3,186 miles east, you will arrive in the other Portland. as the largest city in Maine, Portland is the most culturally diverse city in Maine. This attracts millennials from all over the country to pass up cities like Boston and Hartford and head north to Vacationland. With the highest number of small businesses per capita and a surging job market, Portland, Maine is a great place for any 18-30 year old who can handle the chilly winters.

These are just a few of the places that millennials are moving to, but regardless of where you decide to move or the reason for your relocation, Earl W. Noyes & Sons can help you get there. We also offer climate-controlled storage options if you need some extra space in you new home!

Sources: CityLab, Forbes, Estately, Wikipedia, SFgate, Oregon Live

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO RETIRE IN AMERICA?

Everyone has a different idea of what the perfect retirement could entail. Some like the thought of never seeing another snowflake, others look forward to spending more time enjoying nature. Regardless of what your ideal retirement would be, there are places all over the country that can be the right fit for any type of person during the next phase of your life.

We have compiled a short list of locations throughout the U.S. that could be your perfect retirement destination, or at least get you thinking about what things you will be looking for when it’s time to retire.

Cape Coral, Florida

Come To Cape Coral

If you are looking for warm weather and sun all year round, Florida is the place for you and Cape Coral could have everything you are looking for in the perfect retirement location. With below average cost of living and home prices, Cape Coral is a great place to retire on almost any income. If you like to spend time outside and boating, Cape Coral’s 400 miles of canals provide an excellent area to soak up some extra vitamin D.

Tyler, Texas

Tyler Homes

Tyler is so “retirement friendly” it was actually certified by the state of Texas as a retirement community. Like Cape Coral, Tyler has a lower than average cost of living and the weather is almost always mild. If you are hoping to spend more time on the links during your retirement, this could be there place for you. With many top-notch public golf courses, Tyler has the course variety any avid golfer would love.

Loveland, Colorado 

Colorado.com

If you're looking forward to spending the majority of your retirement outside enjoying nature, Loveland, CO should definitely be on your short list. Although, Loveland has a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, there is more to it than the beautiful scenery. Residents enjoy boating, kayaking, swimming and camping along the Big Thompson River and Loveland Lake. During the winter, you can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing located only a short distance away. 

Wikipedia

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

For most people, it’s hard not to think of Myrtle Beach when you think of retirement. Great weather, a plethora of beautiful beaches, and some of the country’s top golf courses, make Myrtle Beach the premier retirement spot for many Americans. Like other locations on this list, Myrtle Beach has a lower cost of living, which only sweetens the idea of spending the next chapter of your life relaxing under the warm southern sun.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Welch House

If the idea of wielding a snow shovel during your retirement doesn't make you cringe, then the small coastal town charm of Boothbay Harbor might catch your eye. With ample ocean view property and a seaside downtown that looks like it’s straight out of a movie, Boothbay could be the perfect spot to relax on your front porch while listening to the waves crash against the rocks. If you're worried that you might miss the city while residing in this quiet New England town, Boothbay is only about an hour north of Portland.

Whether or not you're currently retired or retirement is still a few years away, you now have a better idea of what’s out there if you decide to relocate. If you are thinking about a new destination, Earle W. Noyes & Sons is ready to help with all your moving and storage needs.

Sources: Forbes, Time Money, Escape Here

THE MANY BENEFITS OF MOVING: TAX TIME

Did you move in 2015? If you did, you could qualify for multiple tax deductions.

Each year, over 40 million people move for a variety of reasons. Some people move for a new job, others move to be closer to family. Regardless of why you move to a new location, come tax time, you could be eligible to deduct your moving expenses if you meet these two simple requirements.

The 50-mile Rule: The location of your new job must be a minimum of 50 miles farther from your previous house or apartment than your last office was. So, if you lived 5 miles from your old office, your new office must be a minimum 55 miles from your old home in order to deduct costs accrued from moving.

The Time Rule: You are required to work as a full-time employee in your new location for a minimum of 39 weeks during the first 12 months following your move. Don’t worry if you have multiple employers during this time, it still counts.

The Exceptions: You may qualify for an exception to either of these rules if you lose your job, or in other case-by-case situations. Also, if you are in the Armed forces, you do not need to meet either of the rules if you moved due to a permanent station change.

Now that you know if you are eligible for tax deductions, here is a list of the things you can deduct. 

Remember, you don’t have to itemize these deductions, because moving expenses are an adjustment to your income.

Deductible Expenses

• Professional moving services (Like Earle W. Noyes & Sons)
• Move insurance
• Miles traveled in your car while moving
• Moving truck or storage container
• Packing/moving supplies
• 30 days of storage after your move
• Travel expenses to your new location (one trip for each member of your family)
• Any costs to disconnect or connect utilities due to your move

Click here for more information and a complete list of eligible moving deduction from the IRS.

If you didn’t move in 2015, but you are thinking about moving in 2016, bookmark this article and contact Earle W. Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists. Whether you are moving to Maine from away, relocating outside of the state, or just moving down the street our residential moving team will help you with all of your relocation needs.


Source: IRS