MOVING MILITARY-STYLE: PART 2- Prep for Packers/Movers

It is hard to believe that I wrote my original Moving-Military Style post over 3 years ago!  Since then we have done two more cross country moves, dealt with two landlords, and bought a home for the first time.  Both moves with packers and movers this time.  While having all that extra help is a major plus it doesn't mean that there isn't a ton of prep-work to do.  Sure, you can just wake up on 'Pack Day' and let the professionals do all the work but that will most likely end up leaving you with a big mess for unpacking later.  Their job is to pack everything as quickly as possible and they will box up everything as is.  That means trash stays in trash cans, junk drawer items just get dumped into a random box and your toilet brush may very well end up mingling with your dishes.

Here are a few tips that we have picked up from our own experience and from horror stories from fellow military families...

1. Prep starts with Planning-  a few weeks out from Packing Day make a list.  I am a big fan of lists (I even made one before writing this post).  Detail all the things that you need to get done before the packers arrive.  Packing your travel with you items, taking stuff off the walls, and organizing needs before they arrive.  I shared my to-do list from our last move in a previous post: Preparing to PCS...Again.

2. Go Zip-Lock Crazy- This is a tip a friend of ours gave us two moves ago and it has made unpacking SOOOO much easier.  Bag all the small items that are meant to stay together.  Each drawer in the kitchen, storage baskets around the house, small bathroom items, undies drawer, Legos, desk drawers, etc.  We found large, and extra large storage bags (generic brands are just fine, I like the ones with the zipper so they are more secure) the 2 gallon size are perfect for kitchen utensils.  Not only does this help insure that you don't end up with 1000 push pins dumped in the bottom of a box (can you tell I have made that mistake) but makes it a lot easier for the packers to quickly pack and for you to quickly unpack later.  I even fit the entire-full silverware holder in one bag.

3. Tangle Prevention- I have spent hours trying to get one knot out of a necklace and trying to get all the TV/Computer/Power cords separated.  A little prep can save a ton of time later.  I roll up all my necklaces (costume and nice) in plastic wrap before each move.  I have a lot of necklaces so I end up with a giant 'roll' but it makes for super easy unpacking and a lot less headaches.  Hair ties, zip-ties, rubber bands, plastic bags, painters tape, etc. are all great ways to secure all of your cords in neat little rolls to help keep them in order.

4. Cord/Remote Box-Find a central location for a 'parts' box (or even one for each room or floor of the house).  Packers usually ask that you have all electronics unplugged before they come so go ahead and start grouping all these items together.  We usually take this box with us so that we aren't searching for it when the cable/Internet guy comes to our new house.  Include everything from cords, router, remotes, etc.  I also label each cord by wrapping a piece of blue painters tape or a post-it note taped to it so I know which TV/Computer/Printer it goes with.

5. Trash Bag Organizing- In an ideal world, the Packers would neatly and orderly hang all of your clothes in well marked boxes, then gingerly move them on and off the moving truck so that you could just quickly and easily transfer everything into your new closet.  The reality is that many moving companies don't even use hanging boxes, they get tossed around like crazy, they are not concerned with keeping it organized for you and if there is spare room in the box they will add anything and everything that they can fit.  Group your hanging clothes into trash bags (still on the hangers) and label them clearly.  I used pink labels for my clothes, blue for my husbands, green for our sons and separate winter, summer, pants, dresses, maternity, etc.  That way when we get to our new house and my husband realizes that he needs a random pair of dress pants right away we can find them quickly without having to unpack every box the first night.  I also bag all of our drawers, that way the movers don't have to gather up my undies and we can just dump everything right back into the same drawers at the new house.

6. Dirty Don'ts- Packers will pack everything!!  Including the trash still in your trash can's, toilet bowl brushes (these things really gross me out), wet mop heads, and anything else that is in their path.  They also don't care if those nasty things are in with your perfect clean guest bath towels.  Don't assume that you can just go around ahead of them the day of and move stuff out of the way either, they are faster than you think.  The night before, make sure to take out ALL of the trash, bag anything that you don't want touching other things, and designate a 'DO NOT PACK AREA' for items you are going to take with you or will need to use for your move out cleaning.

7. DO NOT PACK AREA- We always set up an area before each PACK DAY to start setting aside all of the items that we are either going to throw out last minute or move ourselves.  I like to use a closet or bathroom where I can close the door and put a clearly marked sign letting them know not to touch the stuff inside.  Some of the items are valuables that we just prefer to keep with us like jewelry, precious photo albums, baby books, personal documents, etc.  But we also set aside cleaning supplies that we will need for the move out cleaning, moving related documents, clothes, toiletries and travel needs while we are between houses (make sure to account for unexpected delays- our moving truck was delayed an extra 10 days last move- check out a suggested list here).  Also, remember to pull anything out of this area that you DO want them to pack and move it somewhere else.  I made a pile of packable things on our guest bed and just made a big note asking the movers to label those things for the bathroom that they came out of.

We usually have a large plastic bin in the kitchen too for items that we know they won't pack (liquids and perishables).  This way we can still access them up until Pack Day but they are out of the way.  Also helps us know what to try and use up so we don't have to haul it cross country ourselves (or throw out if we don't have room or have an overseas move).

Important documents you may need to set aside and keep with you:
- military orders
- new lease
- mortgage info
- hotel/RV park confirmations for the move
- pet vaccine info for hotels that require them
- medical records for all family members
- printed driving directions- in case you don't get phone service in the middle of Texas
- landlords move-out checklist
- info for new utility companies
- passports/ birth certificates/ marriage license/ power of attorney/ SS cards/ etc. (just make sure to keep them secure)
- info for new schools, jobs, etc.
- anything and everything that you may need within the first few weeks of getting to your new home or that would be a MAJOR issue if they went missing during the move

8. Move-Out Cleaning-If you are on a tight schedule or just don't want to deal with it, check around with local cleaning companies for one-time move-out cleaning specials.  Many companies in military towns especially offer special services designed just for this.  Also, be sure to check your original lease agreement and see if you are required to do anything extra like have the carpets professionally cleaned or sprayed for bugs.  Local companies usually have special move-out rates for these things too, price a few different places and make sure to save copies of your receipts for your landlord.  We try and do as much of the cleaning ourselves as possible to save money and to make sure that we are going to get our full deposit back.  Landlords tend to love military families because we are all very thorough (we need that deposit $$).  We try not to buy new cleaning chemicals for a few months before a move so that we can use up every last drop and not have to move too much with us or throw out full bottles. I also have a firm germ policy of replacing things like toilet brushes (yuck again), mop heads and plungers at each new house.  Those things need to be switched every so often anyway so a move is a great time to start fresh.

Here are some areas to be sure not to miss when cleaning for a move-out inspection (based on things previous landlords have checked for):
- in, under and behind appliances (unless landlord prefers you not to move large appliances)
- air vents- change out filters, clean returns and vents in all rooms and baths (we just get the cheap filters for move-out and change them day of inspection so they are pristine)
- fireplace
- cabinets, drawers, closets, shelves- inside and out- remove any drawer liners and wipe everything down really well
- bathrooms- every last nook and cranny- bleach and mold remover are a must here
- floors- leave all floors until the last minute so they are sparkling when the inspection happens
- dust everywhere- blinds, moldings, corners, etc.
- windows- inside and out- Windex makes a spray that attaches to a hose for outside that is quick and easy.
- garage/ outdoor areas- knock down cobwebs, pull weeds, sweep, etc.
- touch up- paint, nail holes, etc. - some land lords prefer you leave these though so they can have it done professionally so check with them first.


9. Know your Movers- If you get to choose your movers then ask around and check online reviews to find the best option.  We usually don't have a say in the matter though so we get to know as much about them as possible to make the process smoother.  Ask them ahead of time for a list of what you need to have prepped for them.  They should come to your home in advance of the pack day to determine how much stuff you have not only to determine the size of the truck needed but also to see how long they think it will take to pack and how many people they will need to have working on Pack Day and Move Day.  Make sure that they see everything inside and outside your home that they will be packing including garage and attic items.  Pay attention to what they decide on, if it sounds like their assessment is too small or they aren't going to have enough time/people make sure to let them know your concerns.  We had two moves in 6 months, accumulated more things and somehow the second moving company estimated that we had much less stuff than the first move and didn't send nearly enough boxes or packers.

Keep documentation on the moving company with you and make sure to get the moving truck driver's contact info. and give him yours.  Double check the scheduled delivery day and call a day or two before to make sure nothing has changed.  Take a picture of the truck's license tag and if for some reason your things will be stored somewhere before moved make sure to find out where and who will be moving them.  We learned a lot of this the hard way.

Find out what items they will NOT move.  This usually includes- plants, liquids, batteries, candles, perishable items, ammunition, basically anything that will die, spill, melt or explode in high heat.

10. Notify your Landlord- again, check your lease.  Some landlords require a certain amount of notice of your move-out so that they can begin the process of finding a new tenant or planning any cleaning/renovations between tenants.  If their notice requirement seems excessive (typically 30 days) check your State laws and be sure to let them know that you are military .  By law, they have to let you out of a lease if you provide military orders and if need be you can always get help from your JAG office on post.  Give them notice in WRITING, an email is fine but be sure to keep a copy of it for yourself.  When you notify them ask for a list of move-out requirements (they should have provided one when you signed the lease but not all do).  Also, schedule a move out inspection.  Many landlords don't require you to be present for the inspection but remember that if you have already moved and they find something wrong they will just take it out of your deposit and not give you a chance to fix it yourself.  We have been charged for someone having to pull a few weeds and change a light bulb.  Very Frustrating!

I have started informing my landlord of a potential move as soon as I know an approximate date.  We sometimes aren't given 'official orders' until the last minute or an exact moving date until a few weeks out so it is a good idea to just give them a heads up and send them the specifics as soon as you have them.

11. Final Prep- The morning of PACK DAY things to do:
- remove bedding from all beds and group together in trash bag or pillow case (so you aren't searching for the fitted sheet in new home)
- bag pet beds- who wants dog hair on everything
- Put Obvious (but sometimes very necessary) Labels on rooms so Movers know how to label boxes.  I don't know how many boxes we had after our first move that just said 'Closet' so we had no idea what part of the house to even begin to set them for unpacking.
- TAKE OUT ALL TRASH
- Don't forget to empty washer/dryer/dishwasher

12.  Get out of the way, if you can-  we are lucky enough to have a travel trailer that we use for vacations so we always move-in to it a few days prior to Pack Day so that we can make life a little easier on us.  Obviously, this isn't an option for everyone so if you are able to stay in a hotel or with a friend for a few nights you might want to.  Or, plan ahead and set aside sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc. so that you can be prepared to possibly not have a bed to sleep in.  Often, Pack Day is actually several days and then you may have to wait around for the Move-out day too.  You will also most likely not have your things right away when you get to your new home so be prepared.  If you have kids or pets try and find someone that can help watch them or have a plan for keeping them entertained and safely out of the way.

13. Expect the Unexpected- Nothing will go exactly as planned.  Our Packers showed up a day early last move (mis-communication somewhere) so our perfect plans for me staying out of the way with our toddler while my husband was on site went out the window since he was still working that day.  Thankfully, we had very friendly packers so they were understanding of the screaming toddler and gave me time to do my last minute prep.  We also moved during the busiest moving season so several events led to our truck being delayed 10 days.  We did get compensated for having to stay in the RV park longer and eating out every meal (save receipts) but that took several weeks so we were glad to have some extra money set aside and plenty of our own belongings with us (and access to a laundry mat).  It actually worked out in the end because it gave us time to finish painting and cleaning our new house and thankfully we now live close to family that were more than happy to entertain our toddler.

14.  Keep an Eye on Things and Speak Up (politely)-  We have had some AMAZING packers in the past that did a better job than I ever would have expected.  But, unfortunately we have had the opposite too.  We got the 'new girl' once who packed our nice china at the bottom of a huge box with heavy books on top.  We caught that one in time because we noticed the lid of the box bulging sitting next to our china cabinet and nothing labeled FRAGILE.  I knew that the movers stack those boxes five or six high in the truck so I went snooping since I knew whatever was in it was going to be crushed.  We did however miss the fact that on that same move they threw a few oddly shaped items in the back of the moving truck without boxing or wrapping them, they didn't survive.  We also had un-packers use our particle board entertainment center as their own personal umbrella during a rain storm and it hasn't been the same since.  I wish I had asked them to hold off for a minute on that one- they could have taken a little break and let the storm pass.

15. TIP and Treat- If you are nice to them, they will be nice to you.  Of course, accidents and slip ups still happen but usually the people helping you move mean well.  They are doing a tiresome job and often don't get paid very much or get many breaks.  Much like waiters, they make most of their income with tips.  So make sure to provide drinks, snacks and even a meal if they are there for a long time.  Doesn't need to be fancy or excessive and you can even ask them what they want and order or run out for it.  We usually have donuts/bagels in the morning, pizza or sandwiches for lunch and plenty of drinks and ice.  I have tried to put out healthier items thinking that they probably get sick of pizza but they are human just like the rest of us and usually skip the fruit and go for the chips.  We also try and tip, the amount varies depending on how many people the company sends and how much we can afford at the time.  My husband even went out and got a couple of 6 packs for the guys that moved us on a Holiday weekend.

If you are properly prepared before your next move, you can avoid a lot of unexpected mishaps and unnecessary stress.  Moving is never stress free, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare.  I try to look at the upsides to the moving process.  It is a great time to clean out and purge unneeded junk in your home, reorganize in a fresh new place and of course always fun to explore your new home and community.

5 FORGOTTEN AREAS TO CLEAN WHEN YOU MOVE-IN

So admittedly, I am not the tidiest person in the world (no surprise to anyone who has been to my house).  But while I have no problem living in my own mess, I am still a germaphobe when it comes to thinking about who else has been somewhere before me.  While I can't always sanitize every inch of a hotel room (one of my favorite parts of owning our own travel trailer) I can at least make sure that every new place that we live is spic and span and has a clean slate for collecting our own personal germs.  Of course, as a military family we have had lots of practice with move-in cleaning and I have also somehow gotten roped into helping several of my family members with their moves over the years.  

Everyone knows how to clean the obvious places, floors, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, etc.  But there are a lot of little nooks and crannies that get overlooked, especially if you hire someone to professionally clean for you.  We have had professional cleaners come in before, which is a huge help for all the major mess areas but I ALWAYS give everything a good sanitizing myself too.  Think about it, no one is going to clean your house as well as you since it's your tush that will be sitting on that toilet.  

So here is my list of places that people tend to overlook when cleaning a 'new' home:

1. Walls!- no, you don't have to scrub every square inch but you might want to take some disinfectant to a few key areas.  

  - Back splash- food, grease, and who knows what else.  They may look clean but just remember you will using this area to prep and store your own food so cross contamination is very likely.

  - Around toilets- the toilets themselves should be an obvious place to clean but the complete area around them are often overlooked.  walls, floors, nearby cabinets and outsides of showers/tubs are all in the 'splash zone'.  Super gross, I know but a necessary area to address.  

  - Behind towel bars- think about it, every time you get done wiping your entire body with a towel and hang it back on the towel bar that towel then rests against that spot on the wall.  It did the same thing with the hairy guy that lived there before you so make sure and sanitize that spot.  

  - Eating/cooking areas- not just the kitchen but the breakfast table, bar, dining room, etc. get a lot of food splatter (especially if toddlers have lived there in the past).  

  - Areas you are painting- not necessarily for sanitary reasons, but a good dusting is highly recommended before you paint anything.  Not only will it help paint adhere better but it will also help keep mysterious specs out of your paint job.  I recommend a Swiffer type dust mop to reach high areas and to make the job go a little faster.  

2. Handles-doors, knobs, cabinets, light switches.  Any area that has frequent contact with any ones hands not only gets germy but also grimy and dirty looking.  Lysol and a rag can go a long way but for tough spots (around door knobs often get a lot of dirt transfer) try a Magic Eraser

3. Holders- drawers, shelves, medicine cabinets.  Anything that holds your toothbrush, towels or unmentionables probably held someone else's before you so give it a good scrubbing.  Clean all cabinets and drawers inside and out.  You know that toothpaste splatter on your bathroom mirror, get the last guys off before you add yours.  

4. Hangers- toilet paper holder, hooks, towel bars.  Think about it, when do you change the empty toilet paper roll?  Yeah, that is when everyone changes it, so clean that entire area.  If your TP holder has one of those springy plastic things just throw it out and get a new one.  They sell them everywhere, dollar store, Walmart, even the grocery store.  

5. Cleaning Tools- washer/dryer, disposal, dish washer, sink drains, tub jets, shower heads.  All the things that are used for cleaning, DEFINITELY need to be cleaned themselves.  For the appliances, check the hardware store for cleaning products specifically designed for these areas.  For your sinks, tubs, showers make sure to get every nook and cranny including the overflow drain.  I always run a jetted tub with cleaning solution (I prefer bleach but check to make sure it won't ruin your jets) several times before I ever step foot in the tub myself.  

I hope this list doesn't gross you out too much.  These are of course all things that you should clean in your home regularly anyway but my most thorough cleaning always comes when we first move in (or when we have a guest coming to stay).  Also, if you live in a brand new home don't just assume that none of this applies to you.  I have been on many, many construction sites that are much nastier than you could even imagine.  Even the best contractors have occasional disgruntled employees who are just plain nasty so clean that tub before you take your first bath.  

What areas do you make sure to give an extra good scrubbing in a new home?  

Preparing to PCS...AGAIN

So we are moving cross country again for the second time in 6 months!!  Even though this time we not only have a toddler and I will be 6 months pregnant I am surprisingly NOT STRESSED!  To most normal, non-military people this kind of adventure would sound like a nightmare but we are actually really excited and really prepared.  Below is my TO-DO list for this last month before our big move.  I thought it might be helpful for some of you who are either new to  PCS moves or are just a little rusty.  Moving twice so close together is actually really helpful because the dos and don'ts are fresh in our minds.

PCS TO DO LIST...

Date	Task
5/6/14	Get medical records for J	Pick up on Post with his last appointment
5/10/14	Email Landlord Orders	Or as soon as we receive them
5/10/14	Paperwork on post	Get assigned a mover/packer and schedule walk thru for them to estimate weight, be sure to point out appliances that are yours, attic items, back yard, etc.
5/10/14	Set up pack/move date with movers	Pack 6/25-6/26- Load Truck 6/27
5/23/14	Set up final walk thru date with landlord	6/30 @9am- We are planning on getting on the road immediately after this but will have a few cleaning supplies and spackle on hand just in case we need to do anything last minute.  Also, don't forget to change out the air filters!
5/23/14	Notify Utilities of shut off date: electric, water, gas, cable	Shutoff on 7/1 so it is still on for walk thru
6/8/14	Start Prep for Packers	Assign areas for packing:  Wall stuff in Closets, Camper stuff in our bath
6/8/14	Take stuff off walls	Guest: Pics,drapes   Hall: Pics,hook,nooks  J: Shelves,books, pics  Fam: pics, drapes  Master: drapes
6/8/14	Patch holes
6/15/14	Find OBGYN in GA: Notify Tricare	Researched preferences ahead of time
6/15/14	Gather liquids	Organize by room/type
6/15/14	Gather Candles
6/22/14	Bag Drawers and Clothes	trash bags to group hanging items together (label), large zip locs for small items in drawers
6/22/14	Last minute wall stuff down	J’s Black out Drapes
6/22/14	Pack Camper	We have a camper that we stay in the last few days before move but you can prep your things that you will need during move process in a bathroom or separate room so the packers don't pack them.  List of suggestions below.
6/23/14	Get medical records for me	Most people can do this sooner but since I am preggers I am having one last appointment just before the move.
6/28/14	Clean House: dust, windows, mirrors, cabinets, counters, floors, baths, porches, garage, filter,	Carpet cleaners and final pest control (required by our landlord) will happen the day after movers take our things, we always stay in town for at least 2 days to clean and prep house so we can be sure to get our full rental deposit back.  It is also impossible to clean the house thoroughly with stuff still in it.
7/1/14	Get utilities turned on at new house: electric, water, gas, cable	Schedule this well in advance, can take a few days for them to actually get to your new home and you don't want to be without lights, hot water, etc.  Will also be needed if you plan on having carpets cleaned before movers arrive.  Find out from new landlord or previous owner if they did this after last move out so you aren't double cleaning for no reason.

A few other things to remember...

- We always leave cleaning out the fridge to last because we try to use up as much food/condiments as possible.  We have the camper to take some things with us but if you have no way to take cold items with you then consider asking friends and neighbors if they want anything before you throw it out.  Movers won't pack this stuff anyway so don't stress about it until they are done packing.  

- Important items- we use a large plastic bin to keep photo albums, baby books, jewelry, and other sentimental items that we would really be upset about if they were damaged or lost.  We take these things with us.  Basically, anything that you would truly miss and could not replace (sentimental not monitory) keep with you if you can.  If you are moving overseas, consider asking a family member to store for you while you are gone.  

- Documents- we have a small fire safe that we keep birth certificates, marriage license, etc. in so we just bring that with us to be safe.  You also will want to have a binder with all of your paperwork pertaining to your move.  

      - Military orders (several copies)

      - Lease agreements (new and old house) 

      - Purchase documents if buying a new home

      - Copies of last month of each utility bill

      - Phone numbers for new utility companies, landlord, realtor, anyone you might need to contact

      - Directions to new home and any hotels, rv parks, etc. that you are staying at along the way (just    in case cell phone isn't working when you really need it)

      - MOVING COMPANY CONTACT INFO INCLUDING THE TRUCK DRIVER"S CELL NUMBER- you will want to be able to contact them to see when your stuff will arrive at your new home.  Don't forget to get the truck driver's phone number and maybe even email.  

   You will also want to pack some things yourself and set aside so that you are prepared for the in-between days while the majority of your belongings are in transit.  Remember that when the packers come you need to be fully prepared ahead of time and have things clearly blocked off and labeled that you do not want them to pack.  I was really surprised how quickly they will get things packed and they usually split up to different parts of the house so you won't be able to still be working on your own in a different room.  We even had one pack the food that we bought for them to have while they were working because it wasn't exactly in the labeled and dedicated area we had assigned.  I have also heard of them packing trash cans with the trash still in them so make sure to take that out before they arrive or you could be in for a stinky situation.  Pack the same way you would if you were going on a trip but be sure to include a little extra in case there is a weather delay or something with the moving truck.  If you are planning on getting to your home before the movers and don't want to stay in a hotel you may want to include an air mattress, sheets, towels, simple provisions for meals,(paper plates, cups) etc.  

Since we move in our travel trailer we have pots, pans, plates, sheets, towels, etc. already set up in the trailer.  We add food, clothes, toiletries, toys, etc. and move to the RV park on post a few days before packers come to make it easier on us to not be living in an upside down house with our toddler.  You may want to consider staying in a hotel or with a friend once the packers show up or if you are more adventurous than us then make sure to set aside an air mattress and pac-n-play for kiddos.  

Suggested packing list...

- Clothes for transition time (comfy and things you can clean in)

- Toiletries for whole family

- Sensible shoes- again something you can clean in and wear for long car rides

- TOYS, books, car toys, dvd players, iPads, etc. - lots of ways to keep kids entertained

- Stroller, pac-n-play (with sheets), 

- Snacks for the car ride (red bull for my husband)

- Small cooler for drinks in the car

- Baby food, formula, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, etc. 

- Diapers and wipes 

- Jackets or bathing suits, depending on the weather.  If you stay somewhere with a swimming pool or big snow pile it might be nice to let the kids (and you) have a fun break

- Fill your iPod with lots of music and audio books to help with the drive.  Mickey Mouse videos work great for our toddler too.

Suggestions we have used from friends...

- Put all drawer/basket items in bags (we use giant zip locs and trash bags).  Packers will sometimes just dump drawers boxes and it can be a nightmare to unpack and re-organize.  If you group your utensils then it is much easier for unpacking quickly.  I will even be putting my clothes in trash bags this time so they don't all come un-folded and I will label by season, type, mine/husbands so we can find what we need faster.  

- Special toys- a friend of mine buys a few new books and toys for her kids and also hides a few of their favorites a little bit out from the move.  That way, when they are in the car for hours and hours she can pull out an old favorite or a new exciting toy and keep them entertained a little longer.  

- Nap time travel- Our toddler is still taking two naps a day so we try and schedule our drive time during those naps.  This may mean stopping for a long lunch and play place somewhere but it is much easier on us all to have a sleepy baby than a cranky baby in the car.  If you are driving in separate cars you could always send one ahead to set up the hotel for the night.  

- Make your trip a real trip- Usually we are on a bit of a time crunch to get to the new home before the movers but if we can we try and squeeze in a few fun stops.  The big plus to being military is that we have friends all over the country so we usually try and stop for a visit (even if it is just dinner) along the way.  There are also endless road side attractions all across the country that can give the whole family a nice break.  Map out your route well in advance and search online (or in an atlas) for fun stops that aren't too far off your path.  

Finally!  Have FUN!!  Make your move an adventure, not a stressful event.  If you are upset about leaving your current post take some time to research and discover your new post.  Find Facebook groups, blogs, events, etc. that you can get involved in even before the move so you know what you have to look forward to.  Every post has something to look forward to and if not, at least you know with the military that it isn't permanent:) 

Fort Carter- Moving Box Fun

Make the most out of that moving experience for the whole family.  Before you throw out those used moving boxes, have a little fun with them for the little ones in the family.  My nephew really enjoyed his own Fort Carter for a few days.  The best part, it was pretty much a free toy.

Spectacular Small Space- Part 1

I may be the only official interior designer in the family but decorating is a family wide addiction.  My oldest sister, Valerie has taken design to an impressive level.  She lives with 3 1/2 boys, a 4 year old, 2 year old and a 33 year old (her husband), and another baby boy in her belly and she still manages to keep an organized and beautiful home with plenty of girly touches.  The most amazing part is that she keeps it all neatly organized and displayed in their tiny 2 bedroom apartment.  Valerie is also a moving expert, they are getting ready for their 9th move in 7 years so she snapped a few photos to share with you before the tear down begins.  I can't wait for her to share her moving tips and show you how she transforms her furniture and accessories from one space to another.  In the mean time, here are a few photos of their current Master Bedroom...     

Bedding from Pottery Barn, Furniture from Thomasville, Artwork from Etsy.

You can pick up a few tips from Val's small space living from the picture above.  First off, stay away from King size beds, they eat up so much space and if you move often they may fit in your current home but probably won't in fit in a home down the road.  Symmetrical isn't always practical.  The smaller night stand on one side frees up some floor space and lets be honest, guys don't need as much storage anyway.  She continued the asymmetrical look with the lamps and accessories on the nightstand.  Fit storage wherever you can!  The larger nightstand has tons of storage space and don't forget about under the bed storage options.  Under the bed is a great place to store the extra leaf from the dining room table, heavier bedding for the winter months, shoes, craft supplies etc, etc.  Just make sure to have items organized in bins or storage bags to keep them easily accessible.  

Valerie is also a former military wife, her husband has since finished his military career but his new job still takes them to exciting new places every few years.  During their travels, they have collected some really amazing pieces and love to mix their travel trinkets into their decor.  In a small space, every inch counts so I love how they incorporated their TV into their book shelves and also use the shelving to display their favorite pieces.    

Check back for more rooms from Valerie's current home, her moving tips and her 9th home in 7 years.  

STAGED TO SELL

mgfinteriors.com

My job as an interior designer has a lot of crossover with the real-estate world and over the years I have also seen some really scary situations.  I mean really scary!  

My parents are builders so I grew up always living in their ‘model home’ for the business.  We were constantly staging the house to show to potential customers and wherever we lived was always on the market.  I had to keep my bed made and was never allowed to put up my 'N SYNC posters.  I guess that was preparing me for constant moving as a military wife although, I now refuse to make the bed unless we have company coming over (it drives my husband crazy) and I recently grew out of my "N SYNC phase (well, almost).

  Whether you are military or not, chances are you will need or want to move at some point and hopefully following these tips will help ease the pain of the real-estate market. 

Step 1- CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN and CLEAN AGAIN!!  I know this seems obvious, but you would be amazed at the horror stories I have heard in the real-estate world.  I have toured a home with dirty underwear piled up on the bathroom floor and mold everywhere.  Nevertheless, picking up your dirty laundry is not enough.  Dust every nook and cranny, wipe down cabinet fronts and counter tops, sweep, vacuum, mop and do it all again.  I am not kidding.  People may live in complete filth themselves, but they will never get past the tiny dust bunny under your sofa and will see nothing but dingy if your home is not spic and span.  It is not as bad as it sounds, when you decide to start showing your house just do one really good cleaning (or hire someone if you can) and then keep up with it before each showing.

 Check out my post, 5 Forgotten Areas to Clean When You Move-In

Step 2- De-clutter.  You are probably thinking, isn’t that the same thing as cleaning? Kind of but this is more about hiding your junk than your dirt.   Start with the obvious clutter, magazines piled on the coffee table, mail scattered on the desk and any other odds and ends that are not decorative need to be tossed or put away.  Be careful with just stuffing things in a drawer or closet too because people are nosey and they will open up everything.  I suggest investing in some baskets so the pile of junk is at least neatly confined. 

The Nest Effect has some really great organizing and de-cluttering tips.

Step 3- Really De-clutter.  Once all the junk mail is stashed move on to the less obvious clutter.  I mean less obvious to you, it will be very obvious to potential buyers.  I am not a believer in hiding every personal photograph and making the home look as if it has never been lived in.  Not only is that not realistic, but I think having a homey feel can actually help in the selling process.  But, keep the personal items limited.  Cut the 20 family photos on your console table down to 3 and your doll, comic book or cat figurine collections need to be packed up.  They may be your pride and joy but trust me; buyers do not want to see them and will not be able to imagine their own things in their place. 

Crazy Doll Collection image from Getty Images

If you need some help getting started on your decorating check out the Easy Peasy Chic blog for some great decorating tips.

Step 4- Take care of repairs.  Major things like a new roof or air conditioning may be more than you want to tackle but you can and should take care of the simple DIY projects before the first showing.  Do some touch up painting, fix your leaky faucet, replace burnt out bulbs, etc.etc.  Any little issue that you can fix will be one less thing for buyers to be hung up on and will get you one-step closer to a sale.
   

Apartment Therapy has links to all kinds of household repair how to videos.

Step 5-Tone it down. 

This is not photo-shopped, this color was really on the walls in a house my sister toured.  She actually ended up buying this house but she is the rare exception that could see the potential. She turned that into this.

You may absolutely love the lime green walls in your living room but unless you got the color from the latest Pottery Barn magazine, you are going to be hard-pressed to find a buyer that loves that color too.  I hate plain white and beige in every room and I know that paint is the easiest thing to change, but watch a couple of episodes of House Hunters and you will quickly learn that people are too lazy to repaint that one wall and will not be able to get past your tie dyed window treatments that don’t even come with the house.  Pick a few neutral colors and paint every room, I honestly suggest using a color from the Pottery Barn catalog, they have done their research and know what is popular right now.  Pick one room to make a statement, not a lime green statement but a deeper neutral or a subtle pop of color.  It should be the room that you think is the best in the house; the beautiful entry, elegant dining room, or serene master bedroom.  The buyers will love the room just as much as you if done right.  Here are a few color suggestions that I know work well in multiple spaces

I found these great neutrals here on The Good ieLife blog.     

Step 6- Fluff.  Make sure to appeal to at least 4 senses when your house is on the market (sometimes 5).  The most obvious is the look. Take notes from your favorite magazines and blogs and put your decorating skills to good use.   Literally, fluff pillows, make beds, neatly fold and hang clothes in closets.  Put out your nice hand towels in the bathrooms and hide the dingy ones.  When in doubt about your accessorizing, decorate in 3’s.  It’s an old cheesy decorating tip but it really does work.  Accessories tend to look better when grouped in odd numbers at varying heights.  For instance place a medium size picture frame and a small trinket next to your tall table lamp and you will have an instant eye catching arrangement.  ( more on that in a future post). 

The feel of the space is also a biggie, for one make sure visitors won’t be touching anything grimy or greasy but also give them a positive emotional feeling.  Bring some life to your space with a few flower arrangements or houseplants (few, do not make your house into a jungle).  A fresh spring bouquet on the kitchen counter and an orchid in the master bath can really brighten up the space and add to the overall clean feel. 

Smell is the first sense that is affected when a buyer enters your home and it can make or break the experience.  You want to have a pleasant smell without overpowering them with potpourri and freshly sprayed Febreeze.  I suggest spritsing the house with an odor reducer about an hour before a showing and maybe leave one candle or plug in per floor lit to keep the smell pleasant.  Check out these fun plug in candle warmers a friend just told me worked great in her house for showings. 

Sound can also be a great way to give a positive feel to the space.  First, make sure there aren’t any annoying noises like a yappy dog or running washer and dryer.  But you can also enhance the space with sound.  Highlight your surround sound or speaker system by playing classical or movie theme music at a low level. 

Finally, taste is not a necessary sense to play off in every showing but if you are hosting an open house you or your realtor should provide some light refreshments.  Keep it simple and do not set out anything that will go bad if left out for too long (the last thing you want is angry buyers with food poisoning) or that you cannot give away or use later if there is a poor showing.  I suggest things like cookies, fruit and veggie plates and maybe small bottles of water or even wine if it is an open house event.     

Imperfect Home Making offers ideas on how to fluff for showings.

Step 7- Marketing. Staging is not just for showings.  You have to get people to come to your house in the first place. 

a. Pictures.  A picture is worth a thousand words, more like thousands of dollars when it comes to selling your home.  Whether you are using the top broker in the area or selling your home on your own, marketing can make or break your chances at a great sale.  Scan through some real-estate websites and pay attention to what grabs you about different listings.  Chances are, the first thing that you notice is a great picture, and then you may check the location and amenities.  If you are not a great photographer then ask a friend or even hire someone to snap some AMAZING photos of your house.  Get the important shots: the exterior, back yard, kitchen, master bedroom, great fireplace, etc (most brokers will do this for you).  But, keep in mind that pictures can also hurt you.  Make sure the room looks absolutely perfect, just like getting your house ready for a showing it needs to be spic and span and de-cluttered.  When you set up that camera angle take a few practice shots and rearrange accessories and even furniture to give the room a better look.  When you look through other sellers’ listings, pay attention to the ones that you think look awful and make sure you aren’t doing the same thing. 

This is how NOT to show your home!

       

b.- Get the word out.  You won’t be able to sell your home if no one knows that it is for sale.  So spread the word! List all the important details ( I stress the word important, not every detail is essential) Think about what is important to you when you are searching for a home?  Schools in the area?  Local shopping?  Major job opportunities?  If it is important to you, then it is important to others too so make sure to include those features in your description.   Also, pay attention to the places you are looking for listings and make sure you post yours on those same websites.  There are tons out there, many will automatically list you if you have an MLS  Listing but you can add yourself to sites like Craigslist, Sargeslist, Facebook and even military housing sites like AHRN.com.  Ask you friends too, in just the past week I have heard of at least 2 new sites from friends that are in the house hunt process themselves.  Don’t forget good old fashioned word of mouth too.  You never know who has a friend who has a cousin looking for a house in your neighborhood.  

For personalized help visit my design website:
mgfinteriors.com
My home staging package can help you get your home ready for showings and ready to sell!

TRINKETS FROM YOUR TRAVELS

Make the most of your military moves with the accessories that you display throughout your home. Accessories are a great way to show off the places you have traveled to and lived. They don't only add a great personalized touch to your home but they are great conversation starters. Accessories, artwork, photography, and trinkets allow you to remember family trips and moves in a unique way.

Here are a few fun ways to tell your family story through accessories...

Customized Washington DC Pillow from Christin Morgan's Etsy shop.  Visit Christina's Etsy shop to get a custom pillow from your state or country.

Ikat- Southwestern Prints from Pixie Pixels Etsy Shop.  Visit Pixie Pixels Etsy Shop to order your own prints.
Copyright Pixie Pixels 2012.

Georgia Water Color Artwork from Katie Daisy's Esty Shop.  Visit her Etsy shop to get your own or one like it from your state. 
Copyright Katie - Daisy 2012

Texas style accessory- Cow skull and Vintage Dutch shoes from Joanne's Etsy Shop

Thailand Photography from Kallie Brynn Photography.  You can purchase a print from her here. 
Copyright Kallie Brynn Photography 2012.

Driftwood wreath from MaderaDelMar Etsy Shop.  Click on the highlighted link to order a driftwood wreath.