Moving Apps

People relocate to South Florida for a few reasons; retirement, job opportunity, second home, tax savings, lifestyle, and to be closer to family to name just a few.

Relocating to a new state or region can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to settling into an unfamiliar community. Whether you’ve moved locally before or this is your first big relocation, there’s more to it than just packing boxes and changing addresses.   Finding the right city or neighborhood will make all the difference in your satisfaction with your decisions.

Here are a few  key tips to help make the transition smoother, from using online resources to connecting with locals, so you can start feeling at home before you even relocate.

If you have moved locally before, you know the bureaucracy that comes with every move:

• Change your address on your driver’s license and other ID
• Register to vote, if you are a citizen or becoming a Florida resident
• Move your utility services to the new location
• File a post office change of address
• Register your children in the local school
• Find new doctors…and more

Just like when you are moving locally, there will be lifestyle activities that you should explore before moving:

• What is the commute between work and home, school and home?
• Does the new location have access to activities you enjoy now?
• Where are the religious or social centers like those you belong to now?

How to explore potential places that I’ll enjoy in the new region.

Use Internet Resources: Start by seeking out the types of local information you rely on now, but specific to your new location.

Explore online news outlets like THE PATCH or local newspapers.  Join local social media groups, which often give a sense of the community. Just like in your current area, you’ll find a mix of people—some helpful, some not—but these groups can offer valuable insights.

Check out religious and cultural organizations that align with your interests. Their websites often list their mission and activities calendars, which can help you connect with like-minded people even before you arrive. Many also offer newsletters or online communication platforms that are great for staying in the loop. Research schools, crime statistics, demographic information, weather and more to fully understand how a move will impact your way of life.

Networking: Start by asking friends, family, or colleagues if they know anyone in your new area. Personal introductions can be invaluable in helping you get settled and learn more about your new community.

Pre-move Vacation: Consider spending a week or two in your new town or city to get a feel for the place. Use this time to meet with people who can assist with your move and try out activities you already enjoy—whether it’s sports, theater, religious services, hiking, or even attending a local event. Engaging in these activities will help you connect with locals and give you a sense of whether the area aligns with your lifestyle.

Consider a Two-Step Move: Evaluate whether it’s less stressful to rent for a year before buying a home. Each approach has its own benefits and challenges. Renting allows you to test the waters, while buying right away offers a sense of permanence—but either way, the decision should be based on your comfort level and finances.

Develop a Relationship with a Local Exclusive Buyer’s Agent: A local exclusive buyer’s agent is a valuable resource when moving to a new area. They have in-depth knowledge of the region and can guide you to community activities and resources that will ease your transition. Their expertise can help you navigate your home search while also connecting you with local networks.

Filed under: Blog, Boca Raton real estate, Down Sizing, EBA, Exclusive Buyer Agency, First Time Homebuyers, Florida Buyer Agent, Florida Exclusive Buyer Agent, Florida Real Estate, Foreign Home Buyers, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Homebuyer Advice, International Home Buyers, Moving Apps, Real Estate, Relocation, Retirement, second home, South Florida Real Estate, Tax deductions, Uncategorized, vacation home by Kim Bregman
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Buying a home and moving is stressful on many levels.  Here are some Apps to make the moving an easier endeavor. Like other productivity apps that can be downloaded on your smartphone, move-planning apps will help you keep everything organized.

Dolly: So you’ve arrived at your new home and realized you don’t have the person-power to haul that bedroom furniture upstairs? No problem! Dolly (free, iOS, Android) connects you with helpful delivery people looking to make a few bucks. These strong-backed guys and gals have no qualms about carrying your furniture to its new resting place in your new home and there’s never any haggling over price.

Flying Ruler:  Flying Ruler will help you measure anything in your home. Not sure if that sofa will fit in your new living room? Is it too large to come through the front door? Flying Ruler can help you be sure. This app is a tape measure, ruler, protractor, and a goniometer.

Google Keep: Google Keep (free, iOS, Android) is the ultimate sharable note application. When you’re planning a move you will quickly find yourself making lists … and then making lists of those lists. That’s where Google Keep’s shareable, synced lists and notes come in so incredibly handy. When things get really hectic you can even record voice memos and Google Keep will actually transcribe them into readable text for you to browse later.

Handy: With Handy you can schedule a move-out or move-in cleaning by a vetted and background-checked professional. You can also book handyman services like furniture assembly, TV mounting or picture hanging to help you settle into your new home. Moving assistance is available, too! You’ll leave with your home in better condition than you found it in, and your new place feeling like home right away.

Magicplan:  Floor plans are a crucial tool for envisioning your new living space and deciding where to place furniture and home goods. Use Magicplan on your phone or tablet to scan and measure rooms, then compile them using their drag-and-drop interface to create a complete floor plan.

MakeSpace: If you’re downsizing or moving to a home short on storage space, MakeSpace will come in handy. Just book an appointment, and its team of professional movers will come to pick up your stuff and haul it off to storage. When you want your items back, schedule a delivery, and the team will return your goods. MakeSpace will bring complimentary supplies, like bubble wrap and free MakeSpace bins.

Meta ( Facebook) Marketplace:  If you’ve ever moved you already know that you eventually get to a point where you’ve packed up all the important stuff and would rather just throw everything else in the garbage than wrap it, box it and haul it. That’s no longer necessary because there are people all over your town who will buy your old stuff and they’re on Facebook Marketplace (free, iOS, Android).

MoveAdvisor: MoveAdvisor is another comprehensive moving app allowing you to take inventory, find movers and establish a moving timeline all in one place. The app itself is free of charge to download and use, but you’ll have to pay for any services you book.

Moved:  Designed to be your personal moving concierge, Moved manages the entire moving process for you. The app is a one-stop shop for your move. It will organize your move every step of the way, from finding movers, hiring packers and selling unwanted items, to updating your address and even hiring cleaners and painters. The service also helps you find moving professionals, affordable packing materials, and storage facilities

OfferUp:  OfferUp is the largest mobile marketplace in the United States to buy and sell goods locally, and you can do so straight from your phone! Just take photos of the items you’re selling, describe the items and set a price. Buyers can message you through the app and make an offer, then arrange to meet you and retrieve the item.

RideShipper: You’ve got a car, bike, boat, or something else you need shipped?  With RideShipper you fill in the free vehicle shipping quote and you get almost instantly up to 4 estimates from reputable shipping companies.

Sortly:  Sortly is an inventory app built with small businesses in mind, but also great at cataloging all your beloved items and ensuring that they make it to your new home in one piece. Use your smartphone camera to snap images of items and Sortly automatically catalogs them for you. You can add barcode info for additional details and check off items as you’re unpacking.

TaskRabbit:  Need someone to help you move, pack, unpack or help with almost any moving-related task you may need? With Taskrabbit you’re able to state the task you need done and get matched with a freelancer (referred to as “Taskers” on the platform) who can do it for you.

TurboScan:  One thing you don’t need to haul along to your new home is piles and piles of papers you’ve let stack up over years of home office neglect. You could scan them with your printer, but that would take forever, so download the TurboScan app (free, iOS, Android) and capture perfect scans of every document in mere seconds.

Unpakt:  Moving companies are everywhere, but which one will give you the best rate? Get rid of the stress of searching for the best deal and let Unpakt find it for you. Compare prices between a variety of local and reputable moving companies and even contact the mover of your choice right from the app. Unpakt offers a price guarantee that only changes if you add or remove an item or service.

Filed under: apps, Blog, Boca Raton real estate, Down Sizing, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Florida Real Estate, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Home Maintenance, Homebuyer Advice, Interior Design, Moving Apps, Real Estate, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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