How to Stage Your Home for Sale

How to Stage Your Home for Sale

At TNT Moving Systems, we know a thing or two about moving. We are moving experts! We can pack, load, transport, and unload all your earthly possessions with skill and professionalism. But selling your house so you can move is usually the first step! 

Many realtors rely on home stagers to get your house ready for the market. Here are some tired and true home staging tips to help your house sell: 

1.      Clear the Clutter. This tip will not only help you sell your house, it will give you a head start when you start packing! This means you should pack away personal items as much as possible. 

2.      Freshen the Paint. Paint can be one of the cheapest ways to spruce up a room. Realtors suggest using neutral colors, but something bolder than beige. Even consider painting the kitchen cabinets to brighten the kitchen.

3.      Keep your place Clean. This maybe a no-brainer, but a clean, well-maintained house is more likely to move off the market quickly.

4.      Maintain Curb Appeal. The exterior of your home can be just as important as the inside. Be sure to keep your lawn in good condition. Clear away any debris. Even consider doing some light landscaping. You want potential buyers to stop and take a look around, not dismiss it as they drive by.

5.      Minimize Furniture. Make your home look bigger with less furniture. Remove unnecessary furniture and even consider renting furniture to really make a room come together.

6.      Define Spaces. Be sure potential buyers can identify the function of a room. Use appropriate furniture in the space. If you have an open floor plan, use area rugs to define different spaces.

7.      Add a Pop of Color. Although neutral colors are great for walls, a pop of color can go a long way. Using a throw pillow or tasteful artwork in a room can really add personality.

These tips can really help when you are in a competitive market like Charlotte. Summer is the busiest time for real estate transactions and also our busiest time as well. Be sure to call us to schedule your move as soon as possible. Keep in mind that weekend dates fill up fast. 

Visit our website for a free quote or give us a call at 704-523-1455. We are also affiliates of the Charlotte Chapter of International Association of Home Staging Professionals. Check out their website to find a professional home stager.

How to Find a Realtor

How to Find a Realtor

So you’ve decided to move. Perhaps your family has outgrown the house or your company is relocating you to a new city. Of course, T-N-T Moving Systems can expertly handle your move, but before you hire us, you will need to find a realtor. 

Whether you are staying in Charlotte or moving across the country, finding a trusted real estate agent can be challenging. According to several local agents, the real estate market in Charlotte is competitive with more buyers than sellers. So finding an agent that will fight to get you in your dream house is essential.

Whatever the reason you need to buy or sell your home, you need to find a qualified realtor to handle the transaction. Here are 6 tips in finding the perfect realtor for you:

1.      Ask Around. Ask friends and family for recommendations. You can even ask an agent you are interested in to provide a list of recent clients. This is a good way to find out how the real estate agent works. Be sure to find out what the asking price of the house was and then what the selling price ended up being. Another question to ask is about how long the house was on the market. These indicators can tell you a lot about an agent. 

2.      Research your Agent. Do a google search and look up the agent’s license. A quick search online will show you if there has been any disciplinary action or complaints made. You can look up North Carolina real estate agents here: www.ncrec.gov

 

3.      Check out their Credentials. Realtors tend to specialize in particular areas of real estate. Locations, price range, and whether you are buying or selling matter. Some real estate agents only work with buyers and some only work with sellers. These specialties can come in handy and a good real estate agent will look out for your best interests. 

4.      Experience. This is an important factor. Purchasing a home will most likely be the largest financial transaction of your life, so finding an agent that has done this multiple times before will avoid unnecessary headaches. Ask the agent how long they have been in the business and if real estate is their full time job. 

5.      Current Listings. Browse around their website and look at their current listings. This is a good indicator of whether or not they are a fit for you. A good web presence is key in the real estate market these days. Most buyers look online first, and you want to make sure your agent can capture their attention.

6.      Houses Nearby. Location Location Location is the key to buying and selling real estate. You need an agent that knows the area. If you ask your agent about recent houses that have sold in the area, they should have an insider’s view. They should be able to give you a few details. This will show you that they know the area well and are staying on top of the market. 

Moving to a new house is challenging, but also exciting. Once you’ve found the perfect home, call us for an estimate. We are a full service moving company. Our services include packing, loading, unloading, transporting, storing, and specialty moving. T-N-T Moving Systems can handle local or long distance moving.

Tips for Moving on a Budget

Tips for Moving on a Budget

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you are moving locally or many miles away, there are ways you can save on basic moving expenses. T-N-T Moving Systems has been moving people in and out of the Charlotte area for 20 years. And have learned a few tips to pass on.

Things you can Do Yourself

If money is no object, you could hire movers to take care of the whole process from providing supplies to packing to transporting. But if a full service move is not in your budget, consider doing a lot of it yourself.

Get Free Packing Supplies. Get creative with finding boxes. Local grocery stores are a good place and sometimes people on craigslist will just give away boxes after they move. You can also use things around the house, like baskets, hampers, or drawers.

Get Rid of Stuff. Moving is a great time to weed through your belongings and trash or donate things you no longer need. T-N-T has compiled a list of local charities to make it even easier. Getting rid of unwanted stuff will save you money when you move because there is less stuff to move. You can even consider hosting a garage sale to add to the moving budget. 

Hire Professional Movers. This may seem counter intuitive if you are trying to save money, but the convenience and peace of mind of hiring professionals is worth it. Six reasons to consider:

·         They’re Fast. Especially if you prepare your house well for the move. Making sure everything is packed and taken apart. And there are walkways to remove furniture.

·         They Show Up at the Same Time. It can be hard to coordinate friends and family on moving day.

·         They bring a Truck. Based on how much stuff you have to move, a professional moving company will bring the right size truck.

·         They bring Tools. They will bring hand trucks and tools to help move big bulky items. They can take apart furniture.

·         They don’t Break as Many Things. Not only do professional know how to protect your stuff during a move, they are less likely to break something. It can be an awkward situation if a friend breaks something during a move.

·         You don’t have to Feed Them. It’s only polite to feed your friends and family when they help you move. But these costs can really add up, especially if a lot of people help. If the move happens in stages, more than one meal may be required. 

Start Packing Early. This will save you time and money on moving day. They more organized you are before the movers come, the less time it will take to move. Most professional moving companies charge by the hour for local moves, so time is money on moving day. 

Moving from one home to another or one city to another can be an exciting time. But the expense and stress of moving can dampen the excitement. Use these tips to stay organized and on budget. Call T-N-T Moving Systems anytime at 704-523-1455 for a free quote or click here.