Helpful Hints

>Helpful Hints

Moving Your Pets

Relocating pets can be just as stressful as relocating family members. All pets need special consideration and attention during your move. We would like to share some helpful tips to make the move easier on everyone.

Choosing a Moving Method

Now you are ready to relocate your pet and need to decide how to safely do it. You can hire a professional pet moving service or do it yourself. Movers cannot transport pets.

Using a Pet Carrier

A carrier should be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down. It needs to have adequate ventilation and a leak proof bottom. It should have a secure closing mechanism but do not use a pad lock on the outside of the cage. Federal regulations require that your pet be accessible in case of emergency.

Get your pet accustomed to their carrier several days before the move. Allow them to use the carrier as a bed and place a favorite toy or blanket inside to help them feel more secure.

Transporting by Car

Do not feed or water your pet for a few hours before you leave. This will help alleviate motion sickness. Pets need plenty of air, especially when its hot, or when the animal is prone to motion sickness.

Arriving at the New Residence

Just like people, pets need to time to get accustomed to their new home. Use their favorite food bowl, bedding and toys to aid in making them feel at home. Once settled in, make sure and locate a veterinarian. Keep your pet's routine as regular as possible during the pre-moving stages and the move itself.

Five Reasons Why You Still Need A Realtor

1.) Better Access to Properties/More Convenience
He or she will have easy access to all properties listed by other agents and will know what needs to be done to get a deal together on the house your interested in. A real estate agents full-time job is to act as a liaison between buyers and sellers.

2.) Negotiating is Tricky Business
Your real estate agent can convey concerns you have on buying a property to the seller's agent. Acting as a messenger, the agent may be in a better position to negotiate a discount for you. They can also play the "bad guy" in a transaction, preventing bad blood between a buyer and seller that might kill a deal.

3.) Contracts Can Be Hard to Understand
If you decide to buy or sell a home, the offer-to-purchase contract is there to protect you and ensure that you are able to back out of the deal if certain conditions aren't met. An experienced real estate agent deals with the same contracts and conditions on a regular basis and is familiar with which conditions should be used, when they can be removed safely and how to use the contract to protect you, whether you're buying or selling your home.

4.) Real Estate Agents Shouldn't Lie
Agents are bound by law to act in his client's best interest. In addition, most agents rely on referrals and repeat business to build the kind of client base they will need to survive in the business.

5.) Not Everyone Knows How to Save Money
Many people try to do it on their own to try and save money. Keep in mind, that it is unlikely that both the buyer and seller will reap the benefits of not having to pay commissions.

Bottom line, the process of buying or selling a home isn't as simple as most people assume. If you get into a difficult situation, it can really benefit you to have a professional on your side.