Ah moving! Should you do it yourself? Or should you hire some help? In this article, we will help you determine if you should go at it solo, and when to call a mover in IN. 

Ask Yourself These Questions When Considering Using a Mover

How Much Are You Moving?

If you are moving a lot of cumbersome items, working with a mover will be your best bet. Movers are experts in packing, lifting and getting all of your stuff transported as efficiently as possible. They might only need to make one trip in what could take you six.

How Far Are You Going?

If you are moving across the city, or even across the state, doing the move by yourself might be the way to go. However the further you go, the more logistics become involved.

Costs go up exponentially the further away you are moving. Why? Because moving across the country can be hard work! Think of it this way: Would you rather save money? Or would you rather save time?

Are You Comfortable Behind The Wheel?

Moving trucks can vary in size from about 12 to 30 feet. If you are towing your vehicle, you can add on at least another 10 feet. Do you have any experience driving a larger vehicle?

You will save quite a bit of money moving your items yourself. However, you need to make sure you will be comfortable driving a truck of this size, especially through metro areas.

How Much Is Your Time Worth?

If you are moving across the country with a large moving truck, you are looking at a process that will take several days. You will need to stop more for gas and overall, you will be driving much slower than if you were driving just your vehicle.

You might need to make a few overnight stops as well. Once you factor in the time packing, loading, driving, unloading, unpacking… you might want to consider bringing in the pros. Professional movers are adept and efficient when it comes to getting you moved in quickly.

Will You Have Any Help?

If you are moving across town, you will likely be able to recruit (bribe) some friends or family to help you out. If you are moving to a new city entirely, you might not have that support base of people willing to help you out. Moving is tough, and if you are doing it all on your own, be prepared for some hard work ahead!

A couple of things to remember:

• Keep items you will need right away with you. Pack a suitcase as if you were going on a long trip. Keep toiletries, clothes, items for work/school and other daily items close by. There can me delays when using moving companies, so be prepared.
• You might also consider moving important items in your car, and leave the furniture to the pros. Load up your vehicle, and embark on that cross-country road trip you have always talked about! Make it an adventure!
• And when it comes to your furniture: If it is more expensive to ship than it’s worth, leave it behind. You will be better off selling or donating the item, and replacing it once you are in your new city.

If you are ready to relocate, we can help you with a stress-free transaction! Contact Chris Buys Homes in Indianapolis today by filling out this form, or give our office a call now (317) 526-4712!

Whether you are moving across the street or across the country, moving with kids can be stressful on both you and them! Luckily, the move doesn’t have to be painful for anyone!

Check out our tips for moving with kids, and make your relocation a breeze! 

Tips For Moving With Kids!

Nobody likes saying goodbye. Not to their friends and not to the house they know and love. Moving can be especially hard for children who may not fully comprehend the reasons why you are moving or the reasons why the move will actually be better for them in the long run.

Tip #1: Talk To Them

As soon as the move is a definite go, share the news with your kids. Make them feel apart of everything, and openly discuss the new and exciting changes about to happen.

Reassure your children that all of their possessions, books, toys etc., will all be coming with them and share all of the wonderful and exciting benefits of the move.

Tip #2: Get to Know Your New House

If the house is nearby, get your kids excited by going to see it. Let them see their rooms and have them plan out how they want to decorate.

If you’re moving further away, show them lots of pictures and use google to learn all about the area.

You could even draw out the room, and let them decide how they want their furniture arranged.

Tip #3: Let Them Help With Packing

Make sure younger kids know that their stuff is being packed up and moved and not being thrown away. Older kids might understand the process, but it may be more difficult for little ones to grasp.

Let them help pack up their toys and then have them decorate their boxes so they will be easily recognizable after the move. As much as possible, try to get their items and room set up first, even if it means ordering pizza and keeping your kitchen in boxes for a couple days.

Having that sense of familiarity will help keep their anxiety down.

Tip #4: Get to Know The Neighbors and the New Area

As soon as possible, become a part of your new community. Introduce yourself to the neighbors. Invite people on your street over for a house warming party.

Participate in local activities that will allow both you and your kids to make new friends. If your child is on the shy side, talk to them about making new friends and help them think of ways to break the ice with the kids at their new school.

Tip #5: Keep Your Routines

Do you always get ice cream on Saturday afternoons? Or maybe you spend Sunday mornings at the park? Whatever routines you can keep, you should do so.

Try to remain consistent with meal times and bedtimes. Keeping kids in their routine will help keep them calm and will help you feel a sense of order.

Always remember, while moving might be hard on you, it might be even harder on your kids. As much as possible, stay positive with them and make the whole process a grand adventure. Make the process fun and memorable and as stress-free for them as possible. (It will help you feel more relaxed too!)

Are you looking to relocate with zero stress? Give Chris Buys Homes in Indianapolis a call now (317) 526-4712 or fill out this form and we will be in touch right away!

So you’ve found your dream home. There’s just one problem: You haven’t been able to sell your house yet. So what do you do? In this article, we hope to help you figure out how to move if your house hasn’t sold yet in IN.

Moving can be tough when you are trying to buy and sell a home all at once. The FHA, Fanny Mae, and Freddie Mac all have rules about getting a second mortgage while you still own your home. If you want to secure an additional mortgage, you will have to clear a few hurdles.

How to Move if Your House Hasn’t Sold Yet in IN

First off, to qualify for a second mortgage through the FHA, you must meet certain qualifications.

You need to have a good reason for needing to move right away, and not after your current house has sold. For example, moving because your family needs a larger space, you are separating from your spouse or for work purposes.

Also, you cannot owe more than 75% of the value of the first home. There are additional restrictions as well, do your homework before assuming you will qualify for an additional loan through the FHA.

Asking family can be another route, so long as you put everything in writing.

Agree to pay them back in full upon the sale of your first house. Whenever you borrow money from family, you want clear terms to be set and adhered to.

If you think a family relationship could be damaged because of money, you might want to look for a different way to secure the financing you need.

A bridge loan or as it’s sometimes called, a “wrap” loan can help “bridge the gap while you attempt to cover two house payments.

These types of loans will take both mortgage payments, and combine them into one interest-only payment. These are typically short-term loans, lasting 6 months to one year.

Lenders have different requirements, but you must typically have great credit and be financing less than 80% of the value of both houses.

While it may not be your first choice, you can talk to your boss or plan administrator about borrowing from your 401k. 

Make sure you understand how the tax penalties will work, and pay yourself back after the sale of the original home. This may not be an option for everyone, but definitely, something to look into.

Try to offer the seller of the second home, the option to rent it back from you for a few months. 

Depending on their situation, they might love the idea of being able to stay in their home while they shop for a new one. If you are attempting to carry two mortgages, this is a great way to alleviate the cost.

Add in a contingency in your offer allowing you to close on the new home, only after your home has sold.

If your home is new to the market and priced well, it should sell right away. Present this to the owners of the second home, along with your offer. Ensure them that the closing won’t be delayed and that you agree to close in a certain amount of time

Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we can help you with all of your Real Estate needs! Fill out this short form, or give our office a call today! (317) 526-4712

Moving can be tough no matter how far you are going. But moving a long distance can add additional stresses and a sense that you are jumping into the unknown.

To keep the process as easy and manageable as possible, we’ve put together some great tips for moving a long distance in IN.

1) Pack like a pro:

There are many clever tricks you can utilize to pack your possessions efficiently. If it makes sense in your situation, wrap up your clothes in dresser drawers. Don’t leave any loose space in boxes.

Pack items within each other. For example, put your silverware inside your Tupperware. Wrap linens and towels up in black trash bags, and use them to pad boxes.

It might not be glamorous, but it is a great way to be efficient, and efficiency is key when preparing for a big move.

2) Downsize: 

There is no better time than now to purge your belongings for your fresh start. Even if the new house is similar in style, you are not going to want to bring it all with you. If it isn’t something you absolutely love, now is the time to sell it or give it away.

Often times people move with all their possessions, only to find months later they are still surrounded by boxes they have never unpacked. If it’s not something you love or need, you probably aren’t going to miss it very much.

Also, if furniture costs more to ship than it’s worth, you might want to consider leaving it behind.

3) Take heed when hiring movers:

Always keep sentimental items and valuables, such as jewelry, with you if possible. For items of value, that you won’t be moving on your own, have the items insured in case they become lost or damaged.

Make sure to mark boxes with name and address as many big moving companies will move several families items on one big truck.

4) If possible, drive your car:

See the county (or state) and make it an adventure. Shipping a car can be expensive and can have ambiguous dates of arrival. Many shipping companies wait until they have many cars to move, before getting your car loaded up and on the road. Being in a new city, without transportation will get very frustrating, very fast.

Being in a new city, without transportation will get very frustrating, very fast.

5) Be prepared to buy some new things:

As with any move, there are always things you will inevitably need when moving into your new home. Think a new dish drainer, silverware organizer, paper towel holder and other similar items.

Plan ahead and stash a little cash away for these purchases. You don’t want to add any additional stress to the move by worrying about buying the little things you will need to make your house a home.

6) Be patient and give it a week or two:

When you find yourself in a new town, it is more than just physically settling into your new house. You must settle in emotionally too. It will take a couple of weeks to really feel comfortable in your new town.

Get to know the area, and do some exploring. Be patient and you will feel right at home in no time.

Are you looking to relocate without any stress? Give Chris Buys Homes in Indianapolis a call now at (317) 526-4712 or fill out this form, and we will be in touch right away!