Ready for some new scenery? Packing up and moving from one city to another is no small feat. It takes detailed planning, hard work, and lots of help. Luckily, we’ve been on the other side and know that it can be an easy process when done correctly. So here are some tips to help with long-distance moving.

Get rid of all that junk – We’ve all been there. While in the early stages of packing and moving, you’ll notice everything you’ve accumulated. Well, it’s time to clean it up and make some decisions. Donate items you don’t need and free yourself of some headaches when it comes to the moving process. It’s best to also think about the space you are moving into and how much will fit there.

Make a schedule for yourself – Things can get overwhelming when moving a long distance. So plan ahead to make it as stress-free as possible when moving day or week hits. Create a calendar outlining when things needed to be organized, packed, moved by movers, and delivered. Also include your own travel plans to your new home so that everything can run smoothly.

Pack like you’ve never packed before – The longer the distance, the more bumps in the road. This means the more potential damage that could occur to your belongings. Let’s avoid that. With proper packing, protection, and safety precautions, it is indeed possible to get your things moved a long distance without damage. In fact, it’s best to let us help you as our experience and professional training has prepared us for a daunting task.

For more great long-distance moving tips like these, check out our Facebook and Twitter! If you are in the greater Austin, TX, area and getting ready for a move, contact us, your Austin movers at Apache Moving and Storage, for all of your boxes and other packing materials. Call (512) 452-4799 to speak with us about your next move or browse our Austin Storage page to learn more.

Photo Credit: Kay Gaensler via Compfight cc

If you’ve had your house on the market for a while but have had trouble getting interested buyers, there could be many factors. The good news is that there are
some simple steps to help you change that. Here are a few common reasons why your home could be warding off potential buyers:

Garage or bedroom transformed into something else – If you have altered any rooms or your garage such as an office or an extra living area, it may be a negative for buyers, especially if you have installed any built-in furniture. Buyers want to see their own life in the space, and altered parts of the house may prohibit them the flexibility to make it their own.

Hardwood floors under the carpet – There’s no reason you should be hiding beautiful hardwood flooring with carpet. Hardwood is cleaner looking, aesthetically pleasing, and better for those with allergies. A buyer can always add carpet if needed.

Extreme light fixtures or décor – Showing your own personality in your home is great, but if you’re trying to sell, it’s best to showcase a “blank canvas” for buyers. So those huge over-the-top lighting fixtures, kids’ room murals, or quirky wall pieces should be removed.

Outdated appliances – Sometimes, replacing that “retro” stove (as much as you love it) may be all you need to make over your kitchen and bring it into the 21st century. Buyers often date the entire home based on its appliances, so this could help greatly.

Ready for Next Steps: Moving & Storage?

By recognizing these things about your own home and making some minor changes, it’s possible to sell your house in no time! Once you’ve got that done, you can carry on to packing and moving into your new home.

That’s where Apache Moving & Storage comes in. We’ll be there to make sure all your Austin moving and storage needs are met, making it a cinch for you. Contact us online or call (512) 452-4799.

Congratulations on your decision to move to the Texas capital!  It’s time to contact an Austin Moving Service. Before you move, we want to clue you in on a few things about your new home. Check out this Austin, Texas moving guide here.

What New-Comers Need to Know

Streets & Highways

First of all, we think you should have an overview of the local roads. It may help when talking about directions with your Austin Moving Service. The main highways are US Hwy 183, Mopac, US 290, and I-35. Before committing these names to memory, you should be aware of their aliases. For example, Mopac is also known as Loop 1, and the highway signs even bear the name. The same principle applies to US Hwy 183, also known as Research Boulevard the further north you travel. As for US 290, at the cross-intersection of South Congress Avenue, it turns into Ben White Boulevard. Speaking of South Congress, its nickname is SoCo, and it is spelled as such. As you travel into the heart of downtown, it changes into Congress Avenue when it intersects with Cesar Chavez Street. Speaking of which, don’t be alarmed when you’re driving down Cesar Chavez Street and it transforms into 1st Street. One more thing – Guadalupe Street is also known as The Drag. The name specifically refers to the stretch of the street near the University of Texas.

Barton Springs Pool

When the Texas heat is too much to bear, you’ll see people walking around Barton Springs Road and its shops in swimwear. The reason is that Barton Springs Pool is within walking distance, hence the street’s name. The pool is famous for staying 70 degrees year-round due to the underground springs which serve as its source. The pool occupies 3 acres within Zilker Park and is described by the city’s official website (www.austintexas.gov) as “one of the crown jewels of Austin”.

Eeyore’s Birthday Party (www.eeyores.org)

While the event refers to the Winnie the Pooh character, it is a family-friendly fundraiser at Pease Park which benefits local nonprofits. The first celebration was in 1964 and was started by some UT English majors. The local nonprofit organization which continues the tradition is the Friends of the Forest Foundation. It’s a free event which invites costume wearing, musicians to play their non-amplified instruments, and “the young and young at heart” to dance around the maypoles. This year’s Birthday Party is Saturday, April 26, so bring the family to enjoy a 51-year-old Austin tradition.

We hope you feel a bit more prepared when contacting the Austin Moving Service. Best of luck on your move to Austin!

(Photo Credit: StuSeeger via Compfight cc)