How to avoid injuries while moving

It's exhausting to pack everything you own and move it from one home to another. Preparation, common sense and keeping an eye on safety will go a long way towards avoiding injuries while moving.

Common injuries

Moving can take a toll on your body in a variety of ways. Most injuries occur either because we're careless or because we're unprepared for the repetition of lifting and moving. One is avoidable; the other is not.

Cuts - With all the boxes, there are bound to be paper cuts. They just happen - and they're annoying. You can also get cuts on broken glass (mirrors, pictures, etc.) and from box cutters. Make sure to practice good knife safety.

Blisters - You're most likely to get blisters on your hands and feet. You'll be doing a lot of heavy lifting and walking while carrying things. Wear gloves. And proper footwear.

Scratched Eyes - Moving generates a lot of dust and particles that can end up in the eye. No one wants to wear safety goggles while moving. Make sure to clean off what you're moving. Injuries to the eye can also occur when someone is getting something to carry and turns quickly, hitting the person behind them in the eye. Maintain a safe distance and communicate when you're behind someone.

Broken Fingers - There are a number of ways to break a finger while moving. Probably the most common way is while moving furniture and getting the hand caught between it and the wall, floor or railing. But, injuries to the hand can also occur when something moves when you least expect it. Exercise extreme caution and keep your hands safe.

Foot injuries - Broken toes and twisted ankles are fairly common while moving. Dropped furniture wreaks havoc on toes, so make sure you're wearing proper footwear. This will also help prevent fatigue. Be aware of any areas where footing is unsafe - sidewalks, doorways and stairs. A lot of times, vision will be impaired while carrying items, so keep walkways clear at all times.

Back Injuries - Perhaps the most common and avoidable injury. You can avoid injury and strain by lifting using good technique.

• Bend at the knees, not the waist.


• Lift with the legs, not the back.


• Form a good base by keeping your feet shoulder width apart


• Lift smoothly and slowly; don't jerk.


• Keep the object you're lifting close to your body.


• Don't twist your body.


• Avoid lifting things over your head.


• Pay attention to your footing when moving anything.


• Make sure you have a good grip.


• Push rather than pull.


• Use a dolly whenever possible.

Have a first aid kit available

Although preventing injuries is optimal, they can and will occur. Make sure to have a first aid kit when you're moving and immediately treat any minor injury. Your first aid kit should include:

• Band-Aids


• Hand Towels


• Adhesive tape


• Non-adhesive dressing


• Alcohol swab


• Safety Pins


• Crepe bandage


• Scissors


• Sterile eye wash solution


• Antiseptic


• Gloves

You may be tempted to pack as much stuff into a box as possible. Don't! Exercise some restraint and keep boxes to a 30-pound limit. Pack books in small boxes to keep it under the weight limit. If you have a bad back or are prone to back strain, wear a support belt.

Injuries are common, but preventable. A little caution and common sense will help keep your move injury-free.

Make your move be more environmentally friendly

Between the cardboard, bubble wrap and fuel, moving all of your possessions to a new home can definitely increase your carbon footprint. If you have made the decision to make your life more ecologically friendly, you can take some steps to make sure that you can make your move environmentally responsible as well.

Find a green mover

If you plan to use a professional mover, do some research and find one that provides rentable crates for packing your belongings. Some will even use trucks that use bio-fuel. Ask the company what steps they take to be more eco-friendly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you hire them.

Packing material

A lot of the material used in packing for a move isn’t good for the environment, including bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Finding alternatives is fairly easy, and can cut down on the overall cost of your move.

• Use green packing peanuts made from bioplastics, a form of plastic derived from renewable sources such as vegetable oils or corn starch.


• Wrap your breakables in clothing, towels, sheets and blankets to save on bubble wrap.


• Use newspaper as a buffering material in your boxes to prevent items jostling together and breaking, but don't wrap things like fine china in newsprint, as the ink can come off.


• For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.

Eliminating cardboard boxes

Practically everything you own will be put into boxes that will then be thrown away or recycled. Take these steps to eliminate the number of cardboard boxes you’ll require to complete your move.

• Save and use original boxes for fragile electronics such as TVs and computers.


• Make use of all of your baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases.


• Reusable plastic boxes can be found at some home improvement and hardware stores. Do a search to see if anyone rents plastic moving bins; they can be cheaper than cardboard and much better for the environment.

Cutting down on fuel usage

Even if you’re only moving across town, you can cut back on the amount of fuel you’ll need. If you’re moving across the country, the steps you take can make an even bigger difference.

• Declutter and donate to lighten the load. The less you have to move, the smaller the truck that you'll need and the less fuel you'll use.


• If you’re moving cross-country, consider shipping those things you won’t need immediately via Greyhound. It’s an inexpensive shipping option for large items.

Home prices, interest rates aren’t the only thing on the rise

Like many prospective homebuyers, you may have waited for interest rates to continue the downward trend. However, those rates started an upward trend a few months ago.

In addition, the housing market has engaged in a start and stop recovery, but for the most part, home prices have begun to rise after hitting bottom a year ago. The good news for buyers is that the market hasn’t realized a full recovery, so the house that you’re considering buying is a better value than it was a few years ago.

That’s not all, though.

Closing costs are on the rise

On average in the past year, closing costs are up six percent in 2013, according to Bankrate.com. Many buyers don’t shop around for the best deal on closing costs such as title, credit check, and appraisals. Providers of these third-party services haven’t really had to compete for business over the past few years, so they’ve had carte blanche to charge fees as high as they thought they could.

Saving money on closing costs

There are ways to save yourself some money on closing costs. You just need to know where to look, what to look for, and ask the right questions of the right people.

Watch out for garbage fees

These are duplicate or excessive processing and documentation, underwriting and application fees. Chances are, you may be charged for the same services you're already paying for.

Shop around for lenders

Ask prospective lenders to provide an estimate for closing costs in order to compare the costs.

Negotiate with the home sellers

Ask the home seller to credit you for paying some of the closing costs. They’ll be reducing the asking price of their home, but it never hurts to ask.

Ask your REALTOR®

They will know how and where you may be able to cut costs and make recommendations. Every dollar you save on closing costs is a dollar in your pocket.

De-stressing your move

Moving is hectic enough without worrying about schedules and paperwork. A little due diligence will go a long way towards helping you de-stress everything with a moving binder to keep track of everything.

Yes, it seems like something right out of the OCD handbook. By spending a couple of bucks on a binder and some tabs, you'll save yourself time, stress and quite possibly, some money in order to keep your move organized and on schedule.

Although you may have your own in mind, here are some tabs you might want to include in your moving binder:

Checklists

You can find a number of online lists available to print and use. Include tasks and packing lists, just to name a couple.

Utilities

Know when and who to call to have your utilities shut off or transferred. Schedule appointments accordingly and you'll want to include these on your timeline.

Loan Documents

Your mortgage documents should be available for easy access and reference until the move is complete. Then it goes into the safe deposit box.

Receipts

Use this for any purchases that will be made for the move or getting the house ready for the new owners. If something doesn’t fit, or you need to return or exchange for any reason, there is no searching for the receipt.

Movers

Keep your schedule, list, contract and contact numbers here for easy access. You'll also want to have a list of items that the moving company will not move.

Builder

If you're having your home built, keep contact numbers for your contractor, warranties, paperwork, etc.

Calendar

You'll want to include any appointments, including closing, utility shut-offs, walk-through, signings, etc. Print a calendar and include everything on it. Print an extra one and put it on the refrigerator so everyone knows what happens and when.

A little planning and organization will help you make your move go more smoothly. A binder will help you keep track of all the paperwork and schedules associated with the move.

Moving your pet

You've sold the house and closed on a new one. Timelines are set in motion for the move. You've talked to the kids and scheduled the movers. Make sure that you're not leaving out the furry members of the family when it comes to the logistics of your move.

There are two challenges facing pet owners when it comes to moving to a new home. The first is the actual moving. The second is helping your pet to adjust to the new surroundings. (Cats take longer to adjust to new surroundings. As with anything else, they are stubborn and move at their own pace.)

Here are some guidelines.

Keep them out of the way

On the day of the move, keep the pet in a crate or closed room. Doors opening and closing, strangers in the house, boxes everywhere - all of this can cause anxiety. Plus, people with boxes don't need a skittish pet running around when they've got full arms.

Using a crate

When transporting, it's best to use a crate. Your pet should always ride up front with you; never in the cargo area of a moving van. If you're flying, make sure it adheres to airline guidelines. Your pet should be able to 1) stand up; 2) turn around; and 3) lay down naturally.

Packing their bag

Everyone has a travel bag, right? You’ve got CDs, magazines, books. Kids have DVDs, video games, gadgets and books. Packing a travel bag for your pets will help make the ride easier. The kit should include:

• Water bowl


• Food bowl


• Chew toys


• Food


• Leash


• Water


• Waste bags


• Towels


• Litter box


• Kitty litter

Stretching their legs

Stop often to let your dog walk around. However, it's a good idea to not let your cat out.

Sedation

If your pet gets really anxious during long travel periods, you may want to ask your vet about sedation. If you're flying, however, tranquilizers and altitude are not a good mix for your pet.

Pet-proof your new home

Look for things left behind by previous occupants such as cleaning products and sharp objects. In the back yard, look for poisonous plants and mushrooms and eradicate them.

Exploring the new home

Help your dog get familiar with new surroundings in the house, yard and neighborhood. Take long walks on a leash to help him explore the new territory.

Cats take longer to adjust to their new homes. Put them in a closed room in their crate with the door open. Place the litter box, food and water dishes, toys and scratching post in the room with them. Even though this may not be "their" room, it will help your cat to be more comfortable.

Identification

Make sure their nametag has your updated information. If they happen to get out to explore new surroundings, it will help whoever finds them get in touch with you sooner. Update licenses as soon as possible.

Finding information

Search for new resources including groomers, sitters, dog parks, veterinarians and boarding facilities.

Moving is difficult for everybody in the family. Pets are no exception. By making sure that your pet has everything they need during the move and for the first few days of living in their new home, the transition for your pet will be smoother and quicker.

Points – what they are, when to buy them and when to avoid them

When you take out a mortgage on your home, you will notice, of course, that you don't just pay the principal plus interest. There are a variety of added money that goes into making your monthly payment, including fees and points. Those points are what we'll be discussing today.

Good points

A point equals one percent of the principal amount of a mortgage. If the mortgage is $200,000, each point is $2,000. By paying more points on a loan, homeowners can negotiate a lower interest rate, which will then lower their monthly payment.

Each point you pay can reduce your interest rate anywhere from one-eighth to one-quarter of a percent. The discount depends upon the lender and the daily fluctuations in the mortgage market. You can purchase up to four discount points or even more. Keep in mind that discount points are tax deductible.

Bad points

Origination points is actually a fee that you're charged when you take out a mortgage. These points do not provide any value and should be avoided if possible. If you have a bad credit rating, the lender may require these points in order to make a loan.

Considerations

There are two major points to consider when thinking about whether to purchase discount points. The first, of course, is whether you can afford them. Points are paid up front, just like the down payment, which is usually a requirement. Points, being optional, do not have to be purchased. After paying the down payment, you may not have enough cash on hand to pay for them.

Secondly, you'll want to determine when you'll break even on the points. It's a financial decision, after all. Let's say your mortgage is $100,000 at 6 percent, your payment is $599.55 per month. If you purchased three discount points, your interest rate would drop to 5.25%, and your monthly payment would be $552.20 per month. The points would cost you $3,000 and you'd realize a savings of $47.35 per month. Your break-even point is 63 months on your purchase. Considering that the standard loan is 360 months, if you plan to stay in your home for many years, you would realize significant savings.

For more information on points, talk to your mortgage lender or real estate agent.

Reasons why people move

According to data, American homeowners will buy and sell their homes between five and seven times. To some who find a home and stay in it for decades, this seems to be an odd phenomenon.

You may not think you're in danger of moving any time soon, but chances are, you'll move within the next few years.

Home is too small

An increasing family size is probably the number one reason people buy a new home.

Home is too big

Some people call it downsizing, or maybe empty nest, but some people find they have too much house. Kids move out; a big house is hard to clean and maintain; utilities are expensive. Some people find that they don’t need all that space and a smaller home makes more sense.

Better schools

The neighborhood you live in usually dictates where your children go to school. Some schools are better than others and parents find themselves looking for better schools to give their kids the best education.

Change in personal relationship

Getting married, moving in together, and yes, breaking up or divorcing usually means that a move is imminent.

Save on commute time

For some, the commute is a time to wind down from the day. However, depending upon where you live, commute time could be an hour or more in a car, using gas that isn’t getting any cheaper.

Job change

Whether you’re taking a new job across town or being transferred across the country, a change in employment is probably the second most common reason to move.

Upgrade

Although it may seem shallow, people long for bigger and better. As they grow more successful and make more money, it’s natural to want a larger home with more amenities.

Neighborhood changes

Neighborhoods evolve, and not always for the better. It may start to experience more crime. Or perhaps the new interstate went in a half mile away and you constantly hear the low-grade hum of traffic.

The yard

Some people love a big yard and all the work that goes into it, with landscaping, mowing, planting and maintenance. And some people hate it.

See family more often

Seeing family, being in close proximity is important to some people.

See family less often

For others, the farther away, the better.

Retirement

With the advancing age of baby boomers, there are more retirement communities for active age retirees than ever. Some want to spend their retirement doing what they love – fishing, golf, on the beach – which is why Florida is so popular for retirees. But many will find or build a lake house and move there.

Health problems

For those with physical ailments such as bad knees or back, downstairs laundry rooms become physically demanding and in some cases, downright dangerous. For people with mobility issues, moving to a one-story home (or even an assisted living facility) becomes a necessity.

Cost of maintenance or remodeling

Replacing the roof, air conditioner or heating system, or major renovation, is a cost that often can’t be recovered fully when the home is sold. So many people choose to move rather than commit the resources.

Serial remodeler syndrome

There are those who enjoy taking on the challenge of a fixer-upper. Once the work is completed, they become restless because there is nothing left to do and they are ready to move on to the next project.

Cash on hand

Some people would rather have cash in their savings account rather than in equity in their home. Yes, it’s odd.

Lifestyle change

For some people, home ownership becomes less of a priority, and they choose to liquidate to pursue other interests. For some, it may be travel; for others, something that gives their life purpose.