Eliminate Unnecessary Costs When Moving

Homebuyers often spend a lot of their savings toward closing costs and their initial down payment, so hiring movers may not fit neatly into the budget. Below are some tips that can help lower the cost of transporting your items from your old house to your new one.

1. Declutter and get rid of some things - Those who are downsizing may be aware that they need to get rid of some items before moving into their new home, but unloading dated things and unwanted personal possessions can also help save money. The less items you have to move, the less supplies you will need, so by getting rid of a lot of things, you can spend less on moving boxes and other essentials.

2. Compare prices of moving services - By getting multiple estimates from potential moving companies, you will be able to select one that offers services at a lower rate, but be careful not to compromise quality of service when looking for a good deal. Requesting that a prospective company comes to your home can ensure a more accurate estimate for transporting items, though you should expect to pay more if moving long-distance.

3. Timing is everything - Many people have to move at either the end or the beginning of the month. This may prompt moving companies to have higher rates. Likewise, moving over the weekend may be more convenient, but prices may be boosted when compared to planning a move during the week. Even if your move-in date is on the first or the last day of the month, it may be financially wiser to plan on moving in a little later if you can.

4. Get items insured - Some homeowners policies may offer protection for items in transport, while others may not. Having insurance for items that are being moved from one house to another is crucial, as it can be expensive to replace lost items and repair those that are damaged throughout the moving process.

5. Consider tax breaks - If you're relocating for a job, you may be able to deduct moving expenses from your overall income when tax season rolls around. Be sure to review guidelines for qualifications before assuming you will benefit from this type of break.

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Other great links: 55+ Communities in Florida - Boca Raton Homes for Sale - Naples Florida Real Estate for Sale

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood When Buying a Home

Amazing Neighborhoods:  The Bridges (Delray Beach Real Estate), Valencia Lakes (Real Estate Tampa) and Riverstone (Homes for Sale in Naples Florida)

Moving should be a fun and exciting life event for everyone involved, but it is important for buyers to really dig deep into the area they are relocating to. While finding a city with plenty of job opportunities and a stable economy are crucial, picking out the best neighborhood with a great home for sale is also important. For many buyers, finding a newer development can prove to be a great move, as they won't have to worry about lack-luster homes surrounding their investment. These are other things that should be taken into consideration when comparing potential neighborhoods.

1. How does it differ from day to night? - While a neighborhood may seem like a safe and family-friendly place during the day, it could be completely different once it is dark out. Driving through a neighborhood, you will likely be able to point out any sketchy scenes that could leave you feeling uncomfortable, but it may be best to do this both during the week and on a weekend. This will give you a better idea on who may be living in the neighborhood, while also offering you a sense of security in both times of the day.

2. How safe is it really? - Even if the neighborhood seems quiet in the evenings, you may want to check online for some safety statistics such as crime rates. This can provide you additional peace of mind, while also helping to eliminate areas that may not be the safest for your family. You may also find yourself paying more for other housing expenses, such as home insurance, if you choose to purchase a home in a less-than-perfect neighborhood or community, so take this into consideration if you have your heart set on a home already.

3. How are the schools? - If you have children already or have plans to have a larger family in the future, you should be on the lookout for a neighborhood zoned for a great school district. For many parents, this can be a deal breaker, as having a safe and well-rated school system is crucial. Those who can afford private schooling may want to review both public and private options in the area, while checking out both daycare and pre-k centers is also important for those with young children or plans to grow their family. For parents completing a short-distance move, scheduling appointments to meet with the principal or to have a tour of facilities can make the transition easier for kids.

4. How long will your commute be? - Living a reasonable distance from work is important for parents, especially in households with both parents employed. Traveling a long distance can be challenging for those with busy schedules, while it can also increase the cost to commute to and from work. While a neighborhood could be more desirable than another, for those with a smaller budget, some sacrifices may be necessary to live closer to work. However, you may benefit from checking out alternative transportation options, as many cities have public transportation services that could eliminate monthly car and insurance payments.

5. Know what you are and aren't looking for - Before checking out potential neighborhoods and homes, you may want to sit down with the family and come up with a list of amenities and other characteristics that you do and don't want. While being close to restaurants and shopping may be desirable, being too located in an area heavily populated by students of older residents may be a turnoff and incompatible to your family's lifestyle.

Choosing Where to Live in Florida: The Differences between North and South Florida

Where you choose to live in Florida will affect your lifestyle. Northern Florida is quite a bit different from Southern Florida. Let's just say that North Florida is part of The South and South Florida is more like The North. So, if you live in Miami you have to go north a few counties to be in The South.

Many people feel that there are cultural differences in different areas. Some feel that anywhere north of Lake Okeechobee on the Atlantic coast is country. The same is said about most of central and southwest Florida with some metropolitan exceptions, such as Tampa/St. Pete, Sarasota/Bradenton, Venice, Fort Myers, and the resort areas of Naples/Marco Island.

It doesn't take long to realize there's a gentle animosity that exists between South Florida and the rest of Dixie. Folks in Northern Florida tend not to come any farther south than Panama City unless they want to visit Disney World. Some see South Florida as the land of amusement parks, palm trees, high-rise condominiums, ethnic diversity, and beaches filled with scantily clad women. Some people in South Florida would like to sell off the land west of the Suwannee River to Georgia and Alabama so those states can have some nice beaches of their own.

Speaking of beaches, if your are a connoisseur of fine beaches, you'll find the ones in the northwest, from Pensacola to Panama City are some of the loveliest in the nation with white, fluffy sugar sand. Those from Naples up to Clearwater have slightly more grainy sand and the water in the Gulf is more like a lake. The Atlantic beaches vary from tame in Daytona Beach to gritty, hot and vibrant in South Beach.

Southeast Florida is nothing like the rest of the United States, yet there are some diversity similarities to Los Angeles and New York City. Many people in Miami think North Florida is really South Georgia. Others say that the main differences are not between north and south, but between the coastal areas and the inland areas, because there are a lot more activities and entertainment in the coastal regions than inland with the exception of Orlando. One reason the beach areas are so popular and more expensive is because when it gets really hot and humid in Florida the only relief is being within a mile of the beach.

Southeast Florida, from Palm Beach to Miami, is more cosmopolitan, it has more nightlife, and also more urban sprawl. The area has a definite Northeastern vibe. Once you travel north of Palm Beach, you are entering a more rural environment. South Florida is sub-tropical with palm and coconut trees, plus beautiful tropical flowers and plants and manicured landscaping that's green and lush. Inland North Florida has more oak and pine trees and is not as upscale.

Looking for Real Estate in Florida? I recommend you visit these great communities: The Bridges (Boca Raton Real Estate), Valencia Reserve (Boynton Beach Real Estate), Valencia Lakes (Tampa Real Estate), Riverstone (Naples Real Estate)

How To Make New Friends At Your Retirement Community

Important links: Tampa Real Estate for Sale - Florida Real Estate - Florida Homes - Real Estate Tampa

The key to meeting people and making new friends in a retirement community is the lifestyle /social director. Did you know that the biggest leisure activity for adults 55 and older is watching TV (over 50%) and that less than 25% of adults 55+ participate in sports, exercise or active recreation? To meet new people and get the most out of living at a retirement community you have to get involved.

A Lifestyle Director can help you improve your life and help you make new friends by getting you involved in clubs and hobby groups, organizing dances, parties, picnics, planning trips and similar group activities, which all put you into favorable situations to meet people who share your interests.

You will have the opportunity to experience new things, see new sights, join new activities, develop new skills, feel self-fulfilled, feel healthier, gain more energy, have more fun, and feel more connected to the community. You’ll look forward to having something to do with new friends, but beware of moving into a community without an active clubhouse and social director. You may never meet anyone except the neighbor next door. Retirement is your time to have new experiences, see new scenery and get involved in new activities, or continue enjoying hobbies and activities you’ve already established.

The point is they’re called "Active" adult communities for a reason. They’re a great place to meet new people and make new friends. Most master planned communities have a clubhouse/lifestyle recreation center with many activities. Good communities have swimming pools, exercise facilities, craft rooms, Internet rooms, plus arts & crafts, billiards, card rooms, a theater and social hall. Before you know it, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the clubhouse – meeting friends and enjoying activities with your neighbors, who are close to your age and have similar backgrounds and share the same interests as you.

That’s when the fun begins: card games, golf, dances, tennis, lectures, classes, musical programs, organized outings and trips, Broadway-style shows and professional entertainment groups that regularly visit your community. That’s why you move there – for the fun! And while you’re deciding where you want to move, you might want to choose one that offers a resort-like atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation all year long.