Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale | Homes for sale in Rochester, NY, LOCAL Rochester real estate listings, market data, REALTOR® info, and high quality content updated every 15 minutes! Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:50:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-SITE-LOGO-512-x-512-1-32x32.png How To Make Relocating Easier And Less Stressful – Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com 32 32 June Home Maintenance Checklist: 40+ Must-Do Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-home-maintenance-checklist-summer-prep/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20501 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May Home Maintenance Checklist: 30 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20484 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> April Home Maintenance Checklist: How To Prepare Your Rochester NY Home For Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/april-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20364 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> March Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your New York Home Ready for Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/march-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20338 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Buy a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buy-a-house-in-new-york/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19906 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Sell a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-a-house-in-new-york/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19905 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Risks of Buying a Non-Warrantable Condo In New York: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/non-warrantable-condo/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19796 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Builders Should Know About Spec Construction Loans In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/builders-spec-construction-loans/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19795 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving To The Finger Lakes Region Of New York | Guide To Relocating To The Finger Lakes https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-to-the-finger-lakes-region/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19875 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Navigating the Numbers: The Pros and Cons of Using Online Home Value Estimators For New York Real Estate https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-online-home-value-estimators/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19794 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Role of Location in Home Valuation In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/role-of-location-home-valuation/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19768 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Lowe’s vs U-Haul: A Review of Truck Rental Companies https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/lowes-vs-uhaul/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19758 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Understanding the Importance of a Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/property-condition-disclosure-statement/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19632 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What are Delayed Showings and Negotiations in Real Estate In New York? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/delayed-showings-negotiations/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19547 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 8 Viable Tactics to Selling Your Home and Moving Out of State https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-moving-out-of-state/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19542 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Unconventional Methods for Selling a House: Thinking Outside the Box https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/unconventional-methods-for-selling-a-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19519 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Sell My House Off Market: Pros and Cons Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-house-off-market/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19503 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What is PITI and How Does It Affect Your Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-is-piti/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19498 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Set A Home Renovation Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-renovation-budget/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19490 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Co-Borrowers Credit Scores Affect A Home Purchase? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/co-borrower-credit-score/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19474 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> New Construction Final Walk-Through Checklist: Ensuring a Seamless Home Inspection https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/new-construction-final-walk-through/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19458 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Essential Tips for Pumping a Septic Tank: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pumping-a-septic-tank/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19450 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can You Submit Multiple Offers On Homes At Once – A Legal And Ethical Analysis https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/multiple-offers-on-homes-at-once/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19414 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Get Your Home Photo Ready for Real Estate Listings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-photo-ready/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19409 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Home Builder’s Warranty Cover? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-builders-warranty/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19394 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> July 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/july-2023-rochester-ny-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19403 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Who Pays Real Estate Commission When You Buy or Sell a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-commission/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19366 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Quitclaim Deeds: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/quitclaim-deeds/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19358 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Selling a Home As Is for Cash https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-as-is-cash/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19347 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Know if My House Has Paranormal Activity https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/is-my-house-haunted/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19342 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Why Find The History of a House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/find-history-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19316 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> June 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19313 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-lawyer/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19181 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19162 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Buying a Home For The First Time https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-home-first-time/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19058 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>What Should a Buyer Look For at a Home Inspection?</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-look-for-home-inspection/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18983 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Companies That Buy Houses For Cash Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/companies-buy-houses-for-cash/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18889 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Does Home Staging Work and What is The Cost? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/does-home-staging-work/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18814 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Avoid When Getting a Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/avoid-when-getting-mortgage/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18797 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>5 Options For Replacing a Roof Reviewed</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/replacing-roof/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18771 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are Restrictive Covenants in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/restrictive-covenants/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18714 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can The Court Force The Sale of Your House in Divorce? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/court-force-sale-divorce/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18693 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Real Estate Agent vs. Broker: What&#8217;s The Difference? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-vs-broker/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18650 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Determine Square Feet In Your House For More Accurate Property Estimates https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/determine-square-feet/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18167 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 3 Things That Often Results in a Real Estate Agent Getting Sued https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-sued/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18133 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Top 5 Types Of Home Inspections Buyers Should Consider https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-types-home-inspections/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18119 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Pros And Cons Of Rent To Own Homes: What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-rent-own-homes/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18104 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Smart Things To Do Before Moving That Will Help Ease Your Transition https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-before-moving/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18084 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Become a Real Estate Agent https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/become-real-estate-agent/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18071 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Renting A House Or An Apartment: Which Is The Better Option https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-house-apartment/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17871 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The 5 Most Important Factors To Consider When Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-factors-buying-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17851 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Buyers And Sellers Need To Know About An Appraisal Gap https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/appraisal-gap/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17827 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Pros And Cons Of Renting With Roommates – What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-with-roommates/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17794 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 6 Things You Should Know About Buying Land https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-know-buying-land/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17773 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Long Should Home Sellers Wait To Respond To An Offer On Their Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-sellers-wait-respond-offer/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17745 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Buy A House With A Low Credit Score https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-buy-a-house-with-a-low-credit-score/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16819 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Things To Consider When Shipping A Car https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-to-consider-when-shipping-a-car/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16248 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Home Depot Truck Rentals: What to Know Including Pricing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-depot-truck-rentals-what-to-know-including-pricing/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16156 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 16 Things To Do Before Listing Your Home For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/16-things-to-do-before-listing-your-home-for-sale/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16138 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-home-inspection-mistakes-to-avoid/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16112 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Your Credit Score Impacts Your Ability To Buy A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-credit-score-impacts-buying-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16086 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Selling Mistakes | 7 Errors Made While Selling A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-winter-home-selling-mistakes/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16051 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Buying Mistakes | 11 Errors Made While Buying A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-home-buying-mistakes/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16013 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Address Change Form Should I Use At The Post Office? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/address-change-form-post-office/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15981 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does Contingent Status Mean in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-does-contingent-status-mean-real-estate/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15956 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> DIY Renovation Ideas For Your Backyard https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/diy-renovation-ideas-backyard/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15937 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Rent Your First Apartment Guide https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-rent-an-apartment/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15931 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Tips For Selling A Home Virtually https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-selling-a-home-virtually/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15907 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Complete Winter Storage Checklist For Your Belongings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-storage-checklist/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15885 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Waive My Home Inspection When Buying A House? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-waive-my-home-inspection/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15870 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Self Storage Companies Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-self-storage-companies/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15836 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Earnest Money and House Deposits Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/earnest-money-house-deposits-explained/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15760 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving Mistakes To Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-mistakes-to-avoid/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15568 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Mortgage Myths | Demystifying Common Home Loan Misconceptions https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-mortgage-myths/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15102 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-mistakes/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14815 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 10 Tips For Adding Appeal To Your Home This Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/10-tips-adding-appeal-to-home-this-summer/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14237 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Exploring The Merits of Smart Home Technology When Selling a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/smart-home-technology-selling-a-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13782 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Frequently Asked Questions From Home Sellers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-frequently-asked-questions-home-sellers/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2424 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First Time Home Buyer Programs In Rochester NY &#8211; Updated January 2025 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-programs/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock http://rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=580 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How New Doors &#038; Windows Can Boost Your Home Value https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-new-doors-windows-boost-your-home-value/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13643 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 5 Things To Know When Flipping Your First House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-things-to-know-when-flipping-your-first-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13574 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The Best Mortgage Options for Self Employed Borrowers? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/mortgage-options-for-self-employed-borrowers/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13450 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 10 Best Places To See Christmas Lights In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-10-best-places-see-christmas-lights-rochester-ny/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=10236 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The PROs And CONs Of Multifamily Homes? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-multifamily-homes/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13219 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Low-Cost Home Improvements Should You Make Before Selling Your Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/low-cost-home-improvements-you-should-make-before-selling-your-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13114 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 15 Things Millennial Home Buyers Look At While Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/15-things-millennial-home-buyers-look-at-while-buying-a-house/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13028 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-does-a-fence-increase-the-value-of-your-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12995 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Simple &#038; Low Cost Fixes To Make Your Home More Appealing To Buyers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-simple-and-low-cost-fixes-to-make-your-home-more-appealing-to-buyers/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12779 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Improve A Homes Curb Appeal In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-improve-a-homes-curb-appeal-rochester-ny/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12665 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 7 Ways to Create an Energy-Efficient Home While Conserving Your Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/7-ways-create-an-energy-efficient-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12633 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Hiring Movers Vs. Moving Yourself | The PROs &#038; CONs Of Each https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/hiring-movers-vs-moving-yourself/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12592 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should You Pay Off Student Loans Before Purchasing a Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pay-off-student-loans-before-purchasing-a-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12531 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Build A New Home Or Buy An Existing Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-build-a-new-home-or-buy-an-existing-home/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2497 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Buying A Condo Vs. Renting A Condo | What Are The PROs &#038; CONs? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-a-condo-vs-renting-a-condo/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12402 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 9 Money Saving Moving Tips | How To Cut Costs When Moving https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/9-money-saving-moving-tips/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12341 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Create a Proper Home Maintenance Checklist https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-create-a-proper-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12300 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Tips For Tenant Screening | How To Weed Out Bad Tenant Applicants https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-for-tenant-screening/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12291 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Social Media Blogs For Real Estate From 2017 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-social-media-blogs-2017/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12045 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Home Improvement Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Remodeling https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-home-improvement-blogs-2017/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12044 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Mortgage Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Financing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-mortgage-blogs-2017/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:57 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12043 How To Make Relocating Easier & Less Stressful[/caption] Moving is normally something that people do not look forward to or have fun doing.  It requires lots of preparation and hard work.  The process can be very stressful to some people.  This is normally the case even if you're moving a short distance to the next community over from your current one. Relocating across the country can add a ton of addition emotions and feelings.  There are many reasons people relocate, whether it's to be closer to family or for a brand new job.  The process can be overwhelming and stressful.  While it's unlikely a cross country relocation or relocation 3 hours away will ever be completely stress free and overwhelming, there are certain tips that can help make the process seem less of a monumental task. It's important to understand there are things you should be doing before you decide to relocate, during the relocation, and even after you have arrived to your new hometown.  So before you agree to relocate to a new city, state, or country, make sure you read the following tips on making your relocation easier and less stressful. What You Should Do Before Relocating Before you decide to pack up your family and belongings, there are some things you should do before making that huge decision.  Below are several things that you should do before relocating. Research Your New Community Before moving to your new city, state, or country, it's important you know what to expect from your new community.  If you have a family or are expecting to have a family in the future, you need to know how the local school district is within the potential community.  There are many ways you can obtain information on local school districts.  One top way to obtain information on schools is by picking up the phone and calling the school district directly.  They should be able to provide you information and statistics on their district.  Another popular way to find information on schools is by searching online.  One very popular website for school information and data is GreatSchools.  The quality of the school district is not only important to know if you have children or are planning to have children, but also the schools in a community can impact the home values. Another important piece of information to know about your potential new community is the crime information and data.  The information and data for crime can substantially vary from one town to another, even if they are very close in proximity.  A great way to find the information on crime in a community is by contacting the local municipality and ask for statistics.  Many times you will be able to speak with somebody in the police department.  Like schools, you can also find some information online, but always remember to take what you read online about a community with a "grain of salt." Healthcare providers and availability in the potential community is important.  This is true whether you have a large family or not.  Finding out if there are local hospitals close by and other services is something that you should know before deciding if the potential community is somewhere you'd like to relocate too.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services website is a great resource to find information on healthcare in any community. Research Local Real Estate Market When relocating to a new community, you will need a place to reside.  Whether you plan on renting or buying a home, knowing the local real estate market is something you should research before committing to a relocation.  If you plan on renting in your new community, what are the apartments or homes costing to rent for a month?  Are they within your budget? If you plan on purchasing a home when relocating, is the housing affordable?  Most people have an idea of what they are looking for in a potential home, whether it be a 3 bedroom ranch, a condominium, or something else.  In the real estate market you're potentially relocating to, can you afford what you're looking for?  Housing prices and real estate taxes can vary significantly from town to town and state to state, so do your research beforehand. A great way to find information on the local real estate market of your potential relocation destination is online.  It's extremely important though to remember that the most accurate real estate market information is going to come from a local website.  Third party websites like Trulia and Zillow can often provide information on real estate markets that is very inaccurate. Research The Local Economy If you're relocating to a new community for a new job that, knowing what to expect of the local economy is important.  Find out what the cost of living will be in your new community.  Even though you may be receiving a significant raise in pay, always remember, the cost of living can vary from city to city and your raise in pay actually may not be as significant as you once thought if the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities are significantly more. If you are relocating and have a spouse or family, knowing how the local job market is in the community is critical.  It's wonderful if you have a new job offer, but if your spouse or significant other cannot find work, it could be a problem.  To find information on the local economy, a great place to start is the local economic development department.  They should be able to provide statistics on the area. What You Should Do While Relocating Now that you're comfortable with the community in which you're relocating to, there still are some things that need to be done.  Here are some of the top things you should do while relocating. Select Top Notch Real Estate Agent(s) Depending on your circumstances, you may have a home to sell in your current community and you may also need to purchase a new one.  Whether you need to sell and buy, just buy a new home, or just sell your current home, make sure you select a top notch real estate agent.  The best way to find a top notch real estate agent is by properly interviewing potential Realtors. If you're relocating for a new job, many companies will offer a relocation incentive and provide a relocation company.  If this is the case, you may not have the option to interview potential Realtors, as many relocation companies already have top notch Realtors handling their transactions.  Many companies will offer their employees an incentive to relocate by covering the costs of the real estate commissions and other expenses.  This can potentially save thousands of dollars and also take some of the stress of selecting a top real estate agent out of the equation. [caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating! Hire a Quality Moving Company When Relocating![/caption] Prepare For The Move Moving is not something that most people look forward too.  It can be a very stressful experience and also time consuming.  A move can be especially stressful on children and pets.  For children, not only are they having to leave all of their friends, local family members, and teachers, but you're also asking them to leave the comfort of their current environment.  Make sure when relocating with children that you have their new school already selected as well as their healthcare providers to help ease the transition.  It can be helpful to show them photos of your new community, show them their new school, and other neat features of your relocation destination. Moving with pets is stressful on your pets but also on their owners.  There are many tips for moving with pets that can help ease the stress of the move.  Before leaving your current community, make sure you discuss your move with your Veterinarian.  They will need to provide you the records of your pet and also can give you some tips to making the move a little less stressful on your furry friends.  Make sure you have researched Veterinarians in your new community and make sure they are accepting new patients, as it maybe possible the top Veterinarians may not be currently accepting new patients. The last but certainly not the least person to prepare for the move is yourself.  Mentally prepare yourself for the actual move and know that there will be some stressful times ahead.  Hopefully you're relocating to a new community for a new opportunity, so remember all the positive reasons why the relocation is happening. Hire A Quality Moving Company Just like selecting a top real estate agent is important, hiring a quality moving company is very important when relocating.  A quality moving company will help ease the stress of the move.  Worrying about your belongings arriving safely at your new destination is something you should not need to be concerned over.  A top quality moving company will ensure this happens. If you're relocating for a new job opportunity, ask your new employer if they offer any moving services.  There is a good probability that they have quality moving companies they work with and they also could possibly pay for the cost of the move. Once you or your company has selected a top quality moving company, remember "Think Before You Pack."  It's natural that over time people accumulate things that they truly have no need for.  A good rule of thumb when packing is to determine whether or not you have used the item or worn the piece of clothing in the last 12 months.  If not, there's probably a good chance that you do not need to pack and bring to your new destination. What You Should Do After Arriving To Your New Hometown Once you have arrived in your new community, the job isn't completely finished yet.  While the majority of the stressful tasks are completed, there are still somethings to do after relocating. [caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="450"]After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home! After Relocating Make It Feel Like Home![/caption] Make It Feel Like Home Unpacking is not a fun task by any stretch of the imagination, however, not as stressful as packing and the move itself.  Once you arrive in your new home, it's time to start making it feel like home.  As you are unpacking your belongings, if there were items that you brought even though you were unsure if they'd fit in your new home, now is the time to determine whether you should keep them or not.  Ask yourself if you can envision yourself utilizing the item in the next two or three months.  If not, toss it to the curb.  Another option is donating it to the local Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.  Most of these companies who accept donations will even arrange pick-ups for donated items. Relocating is a great opportunity to de-clutter and get rid of items that you may have no use for. Inform Those Who Need To Know About Your New Location Once you have arrived in your new community, there are people and companies that you need to inform.  The first place to inform about your new location is the United States Postal Service.  Changing your address with the postal service will take care of notifying most of the companies who send you mail and also ensure that any mail sent to your old address will be forwarded.  Changing your address can easily be done online at the USPS webpage. In addition to the USPS, you should inform any family members and friends about the change to your location.  Technology and social media has made it extremely easy to stay in touch with people, even thousands of miles away.  You can inform your friends and family by simply e-mailing them or sending them a Facebook message. Other Tasks To Complete Once You've Relocated There are a number of other tasks that you should complete once you've arrived to your new home.  Here are some of the most common tasks to complete after relocating.
  • Register your vehicle
  • Register to vote
  • Register your children at school (if applicable)
  • Find/Visit your new doctor(s)
  • Find a new bank/financial institution (if necessary)
  • Contact insurance companies for auto, home, and health insurance(s)
  • Contact cable and internet companies
Final Thoughts Relocating is not as simple as the move itself, as you can see.   It's important that everyone who will be impacted by the relocation is on-board and agreeable with the move, to a certain degree.  If everyone is not agreeable with a move, it can really make the process become a nightmare. As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered before agreeing to a relocation, during the relocation, as well as after the relocation is complete.  Relocating is stressful and likely that it will be completely stress-free, however, by properly preparing yourself and your family, it can be significantly less stressful. Other Resources For Relocating Successfully If you're relocating to Rochester, NY or relocating from Rochester, NY, this information will be invaluable.  If you're looking for advice on relocating, please contact us and we'd be happy to provide you with the resources and contacts to make your transition as stress-free as possible.  If you'd like information relating to any of the Greater Rochester, NY real estate communities, we can provide some detailed guides to our local real estate communities.
About the authors:  The above article "How To Make Relocating Easier and Less Stressful" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]>