Andre's Blog

Forget about saving three hundred dollars by hiring a cheap
mover. You want to save thousands by making thoughtful
decisions, following your intuition, and staying focused on
goals.

1. Hire the pros. Resist the temptation to save a few bucks
by hiring Uncle Larry and his pickup. You need a genuine
receipt to deduct moving expenses and you do not want to
be liable if somebody drops a box. One crushed toe can be
very expensive.

If you can afford the expense, let the movers pack for you,
too. They pack faster: they don't spend time wondering if
Aunt Gertrude's crocheted lampshades are worth keeping. And
if they break, they buy.

2. Find a temporary place to live. I get calls from people
who fret about moving costs, but it's housing that will eat
a hole in your budget. You may not find your dream home
right away - and your home may not be ready when you arrive.

You'll feel less pressured if you can say, "No problem. We
can camp out for a few months at the Sumptuous Suites Inn."
If you get lucky, you can always cancel.

3. Get clear on what you want. Before you move, visualize
your perfect new home. Include as many details as possible.
If you can't visualize the entire house or apartment, focus
on details: "a fenced yard for the dog," "wide sunny
windowsills for the cats to sleep and the plants to thrive,"
"a door wide enough to accommodate my couch." You'll be
more likely to make the right decision the first time.

4. Don't rush to sign a lease or offer. Better to lose an
opportunity than to be saddled with an unliveable house or
apartment six months down the road.

My rule is, "Sleep before signing." If it is truly your
home, it will still be there tomorrow. Breaking a lease or
just moving to a different address will be expensive and
time-consuming.

5. Have a friend -- or coach -- on call. If you are alone,
or feel alone, ask a friend to stand by the phone. Your
friend will be able to say things like, "Don't rush. If you
feel uncomfortable about signing, don't do it." Or, "That
house doesn't sound like you. Are you sure?" Or even, "Hang
in there!"

A coach can offer even more objectivity and you won't have
to worry about imposing on someone's good nature.

6. Lost in a new town? You have ten addresses and a map. You
feel like taking the first place you see just because it's
such a hassle to find your way. Well, search no more.

Find a taxi or car service. Nearly all will allow you
to hire them for two or three hours.
You may have to pay $100 or more,
but you may get by with a lot less. Call ahead and ask for
an experienced driver who knows the area.
Ask the driver questions like, "What kind of fares do
you get in this neighborhood?" Cab drivers know a lot.

7. Take time for yourself. Moving is exhausting. On a
physical level, you are packing boxes and running all over
town. Mentally, you face conflicting opinions from
self-proclaimed experts and well-meaning friends.

Stop! Treat yourself to a leisurely walk with the dog, a
nice lunch or dinner, even a movie. Use all the
stress-busters: meditation, exercises, music, phone calls to
your favorite people. A two-hour break can restore your
perspective and save you two years of grief.
And who knows?
You might discover your sacred space in the new city.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless! Andre' Shambley & Miami's Best REALTOR®. Team, The Keyes Company, 305-788-6643. AndreShambley@Keyes.com,
http://www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com


Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate? For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@APEXLending.com . http://www.JShambley.ApexLending.com