Category: Relocation

Avoiding Rogue Moving Companies

Moving is stressful and exhausting. The last thing you need is a shady mover that plays games with the price and mishandles your goods. While most movers are professionals that provide good service, there are some bad actors in the business that take customers and their goods for a ride. Here’s how to protect your… Read more »

Your Survival Guide to Packing and Moving Your Kitchen

Moving is hard, stressful work, and packing your kitchen may be the most difficult task of all. The kitchen has items that vary in size and degrees of breakability. You’ll need some of them as soon as you reach your new home. Food items may be perishable. It’s all a lot to take on. Here’s… Read more »

Should I Take My Appliances When Moving Abroad?

While it’s commonplace for Americans to haul washers, dryers, and refrigerators to new homes across the country, it’s an entirely different scenario when moving abroad. Not only is the freight costly, but the electrical systems are also different. Here’s a guide to what appliances can be easily moved and what should probably be left behind…. Read more »

Repatriation: 9 Tips for Easier Move Home

As you prepare to move home from a stint working abroad, organization is key. Here are nine must-do tips for a smooth repatriation. Don’t Procrastinate The repatriation process takes time — at least several months to get everything in order. So don’t delay starting the process. Contact Landlord/Utility Companies Give your landlord notice about your… Read more »

How to Help Expat Children Learn a Foreign Language

Although English is spoken around the globe, ex-pat children who learn the language of their adopted country will acclimate faster and feel more confident overall. Here are six ways parents can help break the foreign language barrier. Sign Up for Foreign Language Classes Before moving, consider enrolling your children and yourself in language classes to… Read more »

7 Smart Storage Solutions When Moving Abroad

Rental properties abroad are typically furnished, meaning you’ll have the freedom to move with little more than your personal belongings. But if you expect to need your furniture and other household goods after moving back, long-term storage solutions can keep your belongings safe until you are ready for them again. Climate-Controlled Units These are a… Read more »

From Here to There: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs

There may come a time when you decide a tree or shrub in your landscape would look better in another spot. You can successfully transplant these plants as long as you use TLC to protect the plant’s root ball. Here’s our guide to transplanting trees from right here to over there. Before you start America… Read more »

Finding New Health Care Providers After a Move

A move to another community  means finding a lengthy list of new service providers — everything from utility companies to a replacement veterinarian. Finding health care providers for you and your family should be near the top of the list. Here’s how to find doctors you’ll love and trust. Consult your insurance coverage You should… Read more »

Educate Yourself Before Relocating

Moving to a new city or even a new state is an adventure! Whether you are relocating for a job or just a change of scenery, it’s important to do your research ahead of time to minimize unpleasant surprises later. Here are eight key relocation questions to answer before you go. What is the housing… Read more »

Settling Into a New Community

Moving to a new house creates a long “to do” list and no small amount of stress. If the house is in a new community, it’s just as important to get acquainted with the area and its people as it is to turn on the utilities.  Here are some tips for settling into a new… Read more »

A New Headquarters in Town: Help or Hindrance to Home Ownership?

Large corporations frequently relocate their headquarters to new cities. How will that affect you as a home buyer or seller? Why do companies relocate headquarters? The U.S. is always evolving. Changes in demographics, education growth, infrastructure development, and many other factors can prompt companies to relocate to new headquarters or, in the case of Amazon,… Read more »

What to Do While Waiting for Shipped Belongings

On an overseas or cross-country move, you’ll probably arrive long before your belongings. Here’s a game plan for what to do while you wait. Be Prepared Before leaving, get an estimate of how long it will take for your belongings to arrive and plan accordingly. Pack mix-and-match clothes, just as you would if you were… Read more »

New Friends: Helping Your Kids Adjust After a Move

Whether you’re moving across the state or halfway around the world, your children will be forced to adjust to new routines, unfamiliar surroundings and possibly even new languages and cultures.  They’ll also face the daunting task of making new friends at school. Here’s how parents can help. 1. Keep in Touch Emails, phone calls, texts,… Read more »

I’m Moving Abroad. What Do I Need to Know?

Moving abroad raises the stakes on the usual questions about relocation. Should we rent first or jump in and buy? Does renting have any advantages over buying? Keep reading for tips and advice so you’re prepared to make informed decisions confidently regardless of the distant locale and unfamiliar customs. Trial Run When making a major… Read more »

I’m Moving: How Do I Find the Best Schools for My Kids?

When moving with children, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is a big one: Where are the best schools to send the kids? Do Your Homework If at all possible, research your options before you move. Among the choices: local schools, charter and magnet schools, private schools and boarding schools, and, if… Read more »

5 Tips to Help Your Spouse Relocate With You

As you prepare to relocate abroad, your spouse may be in crisis, giving up a comfortable lifestyle to follow and support you. Here are five things to think about to help make the transition smoother for both of you. Work Visas This legal document, specific to one country, allows you to work for a particular… Read more »

How to Bust the Clutter Before a Move

It’s moving time, it’s probably time for the dreaded Big Purge. Why pay to transport or store items you no longer use or love? Here’s how to decide what to keep, what to sell, donate or discard, and what to store before a move. Keep… Items of sentimental value such as family heirlooms are keepers;… Read more »

Military Relocations: 8 Tips to a More Successful Move

Military families move frequently — often with short notice and few choices. Check out these eight tips to ease the stress of military relocations. 1. Hire an Expert on Military Relocations Real estate agents with expertise in military relocations hold an official certificate from the National Association of REALTORS® called a Military Relocation Professional certificate…. Read more »

Ask About ‘Guaranteed Buyout’ When Relocating for Work

Selling your home for a career move is typically handled one of three ways: listing and selling your home the traditional way, taking a so-called “ guaranteed buyout” from a relocation company hired by your firm or a hybrid of the two, known in real estate circles as a “buyer value option.” Here are the… Read more »

5 Questions to Ask Your Relocation Company

If you find yourself moving for work — and you’re lucky enough to have the services of a relocation company — be certain to get all the details on your benefits. Here are five important questions to ask. 1. How do I sell my current house? A full-service relocation management company will connect you to… Read more »