Some Things to Do Before Moving In

You know how the famous lyrics go: “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone?” While these are very true sentiments, we’d like to recommend a slight alteration: “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘till you start to pack it all up?”

The more closets you go through and the more cabinets you attempt to organize, you might ask yourself, “Where did all this stuff come from? What am I supposed to do with all of this? Is this stuff I even really need?” These questions require even more urgent answers when you are packing and organizing for an exact purpose; specifically, when you are planning on moving.

And packing up your home is just one of many things that need to be crossed off your checklist when you are preparing for moving day. The process of switching residences can be overwhelming to say the least. But by planning ahead, you can be as prepared as possible for your upcoming move:

Here are a few things to keep in mind before moving into a new home:

Gather the Appropriate Supplies

Make sure you have plenty of boxes, bins, tape, labels, bubble wrap, and newspaper on hand in plenty of time before the big move so you can stay on top of packing. And don’t be afraid to give things away—if you are going through old drawers and closets and find things you don’t need, there is no need to bring them to the new house.

Transfer Your Utilities

Don’t assume that the gas, water, and electric will be set up for you on moving day. It’s important to take care of this with your utility company before moving day rather than afterward.

Change the Locks

Changing the locks is the simplest and quickest way to guarantee your safety in your new space.

Clean Up

Scrubbing every possible surface of your new house is much easier when they’re not covered with furniture! Thoroughly clean your home before moving day; it will save you significant time and trouble in the future.

Other things you may consider before moving in if possible include getting to know where the circuit breaker box is and the main water shut-off valve, make minor and major repairs, childproof your home if applicable, forward your mail and update your billing address.  It's also not a bad idea to consider getting a home warranty which would cover the cost of the repair or replacement of things like your furnace, air conditioner, water heater, appliances, plumbing and electric for at least a year. Experts say that basic coverage starts at about $300.  Proper planning can help minimize the challenges and stresses of transitioning to a new home making the move much more enjoyable.

For more information on what you can do to make your upcoming move easier, work with a member of Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®.  You can find them at www.trarealtors.net or call 815-744-4520.

10 Moving Tips from Three Rivers Association of REALTORS

As REALTORS®, we are often asked for homebuying and selling advice of all kinds, including on moving. Many clients worry about the amount of clutter they have to sift through before they move, or struggle with what they should do about the possessions they have accumulated over many years, or even decades. Moving can seem like a daunting task for many, so any tips we can share to ease our clients minds about the process, no matter how small, will help take the weight off their shoulders (and backs!).

1.    Breaking up a big move into stages helps the task become more manageable. The pros at Two Men and a Truck recommend decluttering the places where clutter tends to gather as soon as you decide to move: the attic, basement, and closets. After you have decluttered the home and gotten rid of as much possible, you can begin packing what you will take with you.

2.    Hold a rummage sale or sell items online that you don’t intend to take with you to help with moving costs. If you have friends or family helping with the move, offer them these items as a token of appreciation. Recycle and donate what’s left over.

3.    Pack a little bit each day. Start with the items you least often use (such as artwork and books) and gradually move packing to essentials like cleaning and personal care supplies just a day or two before the move.

4.    Label boxes not only with contents, but with what room they belong in. Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

5.    Number boxes so that you can easily check if all of them have made it to your new home.

6.    Make a separate box for vital documents and records (such as birth certificates and passports) and bring it to the new house with you instead of in the moving truck.

7.    Pack a small overnight bag for each family member so that you aren’t obligated to unpack entire boxes just to find a pair of pajamas, toothbrush, change of clothes, or child’s favorite stuffed animal at the end of a long moving day.

8.    Clothes, towels, blankets, and dish towels can be used as padding when packing dishes and other fragile items.

9.    Transport as little food as possible to save time and your arm muscles. Stop buying groceries a couple weeks before you move, and try to get through your existing supply. Donate items you can’t move to neighbors, family, or a local food pantry.

10.  But don’t forget snacks and drinks on moving day! Moving is hard work. Be sure to plan to keep the kids fed and hydrated, along with pets, on the big day.

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® is a nonprofit professional organization located in Joliet, Illinois. We keep our members informed of housing market trends, the latest real estate industry news, and helpful tips that can improve your success in real estate. Please visit our website for more information, or call us Monday through Friday from 8-4:30 at (815) 744-4520.

Ready to buy a house, but need to boost your credit?

Thinking about applying for a mortgage? Need to work on your credit? No activity is guaranteed to improve your credit within a short timeframe, but there are quick, simple actions you can take to try for fast results.

Correct errors on your credit reports

Request free copies of your complete credit reports from the three major credit bureaus on the site annualcreditreport.com. Look for items that aren’t yours, balances that have been paid, items that have been reported multiple times, and other mistakes. Most credit report disputes must be resolved in 30 days. You can learn more about disputing errors on your credit report here.

Make strategic payments

Your payment history contributes the most to your credit score. Late payments generally stay on your credit report for seven years. To make all your payments on time, try putting all your bills on automatic payment. Pay any outstanding bills that haven’t been sent to collection first. Then pay off bills sent to collections. If the bill has been charged off, make sure you can pay it in full before paying on it at all. Otherwise, the clock starts ticking on the collections process again and the item will stay on your account for another seven years.

Decrease your credit utilization rate

Pay down balances so your credit utilization is less than 30 percent. You can also ask your credit card providers to increase the limits on the cards you own. If you have a good history of payments with your credit card, there’s a good chance they will negotiate. A request for a credit limit increase may result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can ding your credit scores, so use this strategy carefully.

Have someone with great credit add you as an authorized user to a card that they’ve had for a long time. Authorized users benefit from responsibly managed accounts because these accounts will be listed on the user’s credit report. Another idea is to open up a new credit card, which can  increase your total credit line and your utilization should improve. If you apply for a card every time you’re asked whether you want 10% off your purchase today, you’ll take a hit on the number of recent inquiries.

If you are within striking distance of a certain credit score needed to accomplish your goals, taking some or all of the steps listed above may help put you over the finish line. Learn more about purchasing a home and find a REALTOR® to help by visiting Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® website.

New Year, New Property Market

Are you thinking of buying or selling your home or asset, but don’t know if 2017 is an optimal time to do so? Between the uncertainty produced by the 2016 Presidential election and the high number of baby boomers and millennials projected to invest in the market, experts are expecting an interesting year. What does this mean for you?  

If you are attempting to make sense of the changes expected to occur in 2017, the Three Rivers Association of Realtors is here to help. Bearing this in mind, we would like to present some insight as to what the average buyer or seller can expect to experience next year.

·        Slow but steady wins the race: The real estate market is expected to remain steady through the upcoming year across the nation, but slight slowdowns are projected to occur with growth dropping by 1%.

·       Bigger is Not Always Better: Smaller homes have experienced a significant price rise in comparison to larger houses due to the lifestyle changes that many are experiencing. Millennials are moving out and babyboomers are newly empty nested parents are downsizing. Urban areas are also appreciating quickly

·      
        It’s all Good: In general, markets are currently doing very well and interest rates remain lower than average. Expert Rick Sharga estimates that Trump’s presidency will provide some credit relief to the average home buyer, consequently making it more readily available to home buyers.

·       Making Room for the New: Not only is millennial home buying expected to increase but experts are already beginning to think about generation Z (born 1995-2012). Although this generation will primarily consist of teenagers in 2017, it is foreseen that they will begin saturating the market within the next several years.

The trends of 2017 have a plethora of implications for a new direction in the real estate market and for our economy in general. Whether buying or selling, the Three Rivers Association of Realtors will ensure that you are never left in the dark, and we are here to assist you in making the most out of your housing experience. Visit our website today for more helpful tips and information.

Why Three Rivers Association Recommends Always Using A Realtor

The day you have been thinking about casually for a few years now has finally arrived. Today, you are ready for a change and now, the passing thought of eventually putting your house on the market now has a more immediate timeline. You are anxious to sell your home it as quickly as possible, settle into a brand new house and start fresh.

When you reach this decision, a natural next step for many home buyers is to pop on their favorite real estate website, such as Realtor.com (and of course, the Three Rivers Association!), browse house listings in your desired area and budget, and save potential homes that they can further pursue.  Many may not realize that searching for a home, even at this early stage, on your own can be harmful to your overall experience, both with buying and selling a house.

These three key reasons from your friendly experts at Three Rivers Association outline why you should always use a Realtor® when you sell your current house and begin searching for a new one.

They have plenty of experience and expertise

Even as you casually browse a home listing online, that listing is often filled with confusing acronyms and abbreviations that only Realtors®can understand. They can help you translate that language to make sure you are getting all the information you need and the best possible deal!

They can search for criteria that you can’t

While it may seem like the internet gives you plenty of home listings for you to explore, Realtors®have access to even more!! Often, some properties are available for sale but are not actively advertised. That’s when a Realtor®can help you find those hidden gems to make sure you are seeing all of your options.

“Negotiate” is their middle name

Today’s housing market is a competitive place—even if you finally get to the exciting stage of putting an offer on a home you love, someone else may have beaten you to it. Trust a Realtor® to know how to navigate such competition. A Realtor® can also help you draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for home inspections and other contingencies.

New Year, New Home: A Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers

Are you preparing for the New Year with plans to buy a new home?  Buying your first property is an exciting endeavor.  Owning a home truly is the American dream!  Fortunately, navigating the housing market and financing world doesn’t have to be intimidating with help from a REALTOR®.  To stay prepared during the home-buying experience, follow our checklist specifically tailored for first-time homebuyers:

Savings

Are you questioning whether or not you can afford a home based on income and savings?  Many people are surprised to find that they can afford a home.  With the help of REALTORS® and lenders, it is relatively easy to create a plan for paying your mortgage.  Based on savings and income, there is a home that will fit your budget.  

Income

Can you afford to pay the bills on a monthly basis?  This is possibly the most important step when looking for your first home.  If you are currently renting, chances are you can afford a home!  While you have to think about payments including water, gas, and home-related costs, they are typically of similar cost to renting.  In some cases, it can even be substantially cheaper to buy than rent.

Credit Score

Many first-time buyers are under popular belief that they have to have a perfect credit score in order to put a down payment on a home.  With the average credit score of approved loans continuously lowering, you can now get a loan if you have lower than an 800 credit score!  

Realtors

A great step in buying your first home is enlisting the help of a reliable real estate agent.  REALTORS® have extensive knowledge and expertise in the housing market and will find you the best homes in the area.  They can also assist you in negotiating price, closing costs and answering all of your questions.  Your dream is possible, with help from a dedicated team!

At Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, we aim to address real estate issues in the community and work to provide a good housing market for Will and Grundy County.  We offer realtors in the area a wide, but industry-specific range of services.  To learn more about Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, or to find a REALTOR, visit www.trarealtors.net.