How Long Do You Keep “Stuff” in your Home?

Not knowing how long to keep different things contributes to household clutter. Being very unorganized can cost you time and money also. Find out when things should be tossed out before spending time packing them for a move for example. Learn what documents you should keep and which ones should be shredded or tossed. Same with old medicines and prescriptions.

Most of us keep closets and drawers full of old clothes that should have been tossed years ago. Makeup?  Toss it out if its a year old or more. Same with spices in the kitchen. Toiletries usually are used up by the expiration date, but if not, use the 1 year toss out rule.

A good way to save on everything you use is to get everything organized. All clutter will cost you time and money. If you don’t know where something is, and you need it, you will go out and purchase a duplicate, costing extra money. When you have to look and look for something each time you need it, this is costing you valuable time.  If you can get your items organized, your life will become much simpler and finding the things you want easier.

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HOME SECURITY ALARM COMPANIES

Today we all understand the importance of protecting our home and families with a quality home security alarm system. Before buying a system, however, a homeowner should talk to several good alarm companies as ask about the different types available. There are wired systems as well as wireless systems. The initial costs will vary depending on the type you choose. Some systems will have cameras, for example. Some systems run on the home electric grid and some operate on batteries. Some can be turned on and off remotely. All of the systems must have monitoring capability so when something happens, the alarm is sent to a center, then they contact the homeowner, and/or the police department. There may be some false alarms also. You need to find out how many false alarms are allowed by the alarm company before they charge you an additional fee, as well as the fees charged by the city for any false alarms. If there are too many false alarms, the police department may actually no longer respond and that makes the whole thing useless.

The costs involved are the initial installation, and ongoing monthly monitoring fees, and false alarm fees.

Its best to get referrals and then contact current customers on how they rate their alarm company; the costs, and the service. Contact local police for their input on the different alarm companies being used in the area. Take your time to do the research and in the end, this will pay off in better service and lower overall costs.

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WHAT IS A HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION (HOA) ?

Basically most condo and townhome developments will have a home owners association, or HOA, as well as some other planned single family home developments. HOAs are established to ensure that the CC&Rs are enforced and given to all of the homeowners so to maintain the quality and value of the property involved. The membership of the HOA is made up of all the homeowners who all are charged a mandatory fee. HOAs have the authority to enact and enforce certain types of rules regarding maintenance and design standards, including those established by city or county ordinances when the development was originally planned and constructed. The CC&Rs are the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions that apply to the development and to each of the property owners who have purchased property in the particular development. When considering buying a property in any community or project that a potential buyer look into the CC&Rs and HOA operations along with their  Vancouver Realtor to get an idea of what costs are involved over and above the initial cost of buying the real estate property you are interested in.

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FINDING THE RIGHT MOVING COMPANY

Here is how you begin when searching for the right Moving Company.

• Get at least three written estimates from moving companies. Be sure to get them in person, rather than on the phone or Internet.
• Check with your local Better Business Bureau and the state attorney general’s office to see if there are any complaints against the mover. Ask to see a certificate of insurance showing all required insurance liabilities and then verify that their license and certificate number is valid. Help the movers calculate the cost by showing them every single item to be moved. Reach a clear understanding of the estimate and all costs. Leave nothing out.

Begin getting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase moving materials from any moving supply company. You’ll need boxes, bubble wrap for packing fragile items, tissue and ink-free packing paper, scissors, a knife for opening boxes and rolls of packing tape. Make sure to label each box and its room destination. Write the contents of numbered boxes on your master list. Pack room-by-room, keeping similar items together. A moving company will supply it’s own supplies and tools if they are packing items for you.

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How to Make an Emergency Home Kit

Everyone should be prepared for any type of home emergency or if any type of trouble strikes, it’s helpful to have an emergency kit handy – something that’s accessible to your entire family. There are many items that most of us need and use daily and you should make a list of items you cannot do without like your prescriptions and other medical supplies, scissors, soap, first aid tape, thermometer, pain killer, antiseptic, batteries, flashlight, radio, toothpaste, water, deodorant, paper towels, toilet paper, a clock or watch, some extra socks and underwear or other clothes, shaving kit, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, hair care items, sanitary napkins, plastic trash bags, matches, candles, can opener, towels, napkins, and anything else that you can think of that you might need. The kit must be accessible to all ages and located where it is easiest to get at. Make sure everyone in the family knows where the emergency kit is. Have a separate kit with basic foods to get you by for at least a few days.

You should also store some basic hand tools such as a hammer, nails, screwdrivers, wrench and small hatchet. These could be useful if you need to make emergency repairs to your home later. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the emergency kit is kept.

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