Planning your Cross-Country Move

Planning your Cross-Country Move

At T-N-T Moving Systems, we are very familiar with cross-country moves. As the official movers of the Carolina Panthers, we move tons of equipment to several locations across the country for away games. So we know that planning a cross-country move can be exhausting. Thankfully, since we have so much experience, partnering with us for your long-distance move is a great choice.

Moving locally is challenging, but moving to a new city or state can be downright overwhelming. It is also an exciting time. Take it one step at a time and ask for help! Here’s a handy checklist to follow:

1.      Find housing in your new city. Whether you are buying a new house or renting, you need to first determine where you will be moving. If moving in with friends or family, find a storage unit to store your belongings.

2.      Set a moving date and get organized. Get quotes from movers, set up a folder in your email or a physical folder to keep all stuff pertaining to the move. Set a budget.

3.      Get boxes. Either order moving boxes or gather them from local stores. Start packing about 6 weeks before your move date. Label everything!

4.      Book your movers. In the summer months, it is much busier, so schedule your movers ahead of time.

5.      Make travel plans for yourself, family, pets and plants. Will you be flying or driving?

6.      Find all valuable documents: auto registration, passport, birth certificate, insurance policies. You will want to carry these with you instead of putting them on the truck.

7.      Back up all computer data just in case these electronic get damaged during the move.

8.      Get rid of stuff you don’t want through Craigslist or a yard sale. Or donate to local charities.

9.      Set up mail forwarding service and cancel or change subscriptions. Be sure to update Amazon and Netflix with your new address.

10.  Plan your meals so you use all your perishable food. Also, use up all chemicals that can’t be moved like bleach and aerosols.

11.  Cancel memberships to organizations like health clubs.

12.  Notify utility companies of your move: Electric, Water, Gas, Phone, Cable, internet, sewer, and trash services.

13.  Notify others of your move like government agencies, doctors, vet, insurance company, banks, etc.

14.  Pack an essentials box to keep with you during your move.

15.  Schedule to have house or apartment cleaned when you move out.

This checklist is not an exhaustive one, but it should help you stay organized for a cross-country move. We have been moving folks in and out of Charlotte for over twenty years. If you’d like more information on our services, check out our website at www.tntmovingsystems.com or call 704-523-1455. Happy Moving!

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.