Take charge of your upcoming move. Being fully prepared for the move is the best way to reduce relocation stress. Moving across country or to another country will create relocation stress.

As soon as you know your relocating, get a notebook/palm pilot or other small planning device, your “moving” book and start planning.

• Assess your financial situation, determine what you’ll need, make inventories, establish a timetable, get information on the new location, and set aside some time to deal with your feelings. 

• Everybody plans: Let children be involved in the planning process for the new home so they will feel less helpless about the move.

• Talk it out: Sit down as a family and discuss your feelings about the move. Allow and encourage everyone to express their honest feelings, good and bad.

• Tender Loving Care (TLC): Stress can negatively affect the  body and your mind making you more vulnerable to becoming sick. Give yourself and the family some extra tender loving care and eat the right foods and get enough sleep

• Give yourself a break: Each family member will handle stress differently. Don’t ignore signals of stress (depression, anger, fatigue), but don’t dwell on them either. Just be aware, be patient, and be willing to look for help if it is needed.

• Say your good-byes: It’s important to deal with good-byes and express feelings of sadness so you can move on emotionally as well as physically.

• Keep familiar patterns: As much as possible, try to stick to the old routine such as mealtimes and bedtimes. Familiarity provides security.

• Explore the new environment: Get up, get out, and get involved; the best medicine for loneliness is people and the best way to overcome the feeling of being uprooted is to put down roots in the new location.

• Accentuate the positive: Make a list of things you’re looking forward to about the new location, and a list of good memories from the old. Take time to have some fun. Laughter can heal a lot of hurt.

• Keep an eye on the kids: Since moving can be traumatic for kids, staying in touch with new teachers is very important. Help your kids find ways to meet new friends but don’t push. Even though most kids do adjust, it’s essential for parents to watch for possible danger signals such as a child spending too much time alone, loss of interest in favorite things, loss of energy or appetite, or other behavior pattern changes.

• Be optimistic but stay flexible: Things rarely turn out just the way we imagine them in our worst or our best expectations. An open mind and a determination to make your move a positive experience is your best insurance that you’ll adjust well wherever you go. Change can mean opportunity if you reach out and take hold of it. • Don’t go it alone: Moving isn’t easy and though you’ll probably manage it well there may be a time when you’ll need some special support and assistance. You can find that support through your family center relocation counselor, your minister or rabbi, your neighbors, or the social services in your community.  

Remember to slow down and smell the Roses as my old friend V.S. always tells me. For additional relocation tips or information on relocating to the St. Louis market contact The H Team today.

Tags: ate, moving, Moving Tips, real es, real estate, real estate st louis mo, realtor, relocation

Our Royal Move Checklist

Tags: checklist, moving, Moving Tips, relocation

Simple adjustments are easy to make, and many cabinets have hinges that allow you to make micro-adjustments in any direction.

For plain hinges, loosen the mounting screws just enough so that the hinges can move, but not so much that the door droops. Prop the door so that it is square with the cabinet opening, using shims if necessary, and then retighten the screws.

Most European-style hinges have built-in adjustment setups, and there are several types. One has a single screw connecting the two halves of the hinge. Loosen this screw slightly and you can reposition the door vertically or horizontally.

Another type has a sliding bar with a set-screw for horizontal adjustments, and a separate screw for vertical. The newest hinges have snap-on mounting plates that let you adjust height and depth.

Order a free booklet Repairing and Replacing hinges at http://www.realestatetrio.com

See you next time on the corner

Tags: cabinet repair, hinge, hinge repair

Beginning on January  2011, fire sprinklers will be required in all newly built one and two family homes and townhouses under a rule recently approved by the International Code Council. These new requirements will be published in the 2009 International Residential Code.

The mandate’s supporters say it will give residents more time to exit a burning building during a fire. The National Association of Home Builders is concerned about the higher home prices and maintenance costs that will result.

Though costs vary by community, the Fire Protection Research Foundation says sprinkler systems run an average of $1.61 per square foot of space covered.

*Wall Street Journal Anjail Athavaley (09/23/08)

See you next time on the corner

Tags: fire, first time home buyer, home, real estate, real estate st louis mo, realtor, sprinkler, townhome

Adults Halloween Party

Date: Oct 25
Location: Central West End
Time: 8:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 361-2850
Website: www.thecwe.com

Children’s Halloween Parade

Date: Oct 25
Location: Central West End neighborhood
Time: 11:00 a.m.
For more information call: (314) 367-2220
Website: www.centralwestend.org

The parade takes place along Euclid Avenue between Maryland and McPherson in the Central West End Neighborhood. Goody bags for all provided and prizes for best costumes with trick-or-treating at participating businesses.

Dog Costume Parade

Date: Oct 25

Location: Central West End neighborhood
Time: 1:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 367-2220
Website: www.centralwestend.org

The dog contest and parade takes place along Euclid Avenue between Maryland and McPherson in the Central West End Neighborhood. Treats for all and prizes for best costume.

Halloween: Ghosts of The Past

Date: Oct 25
Location: Historic Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $7.50 adults; $5.00 children
For more information call: (636) 798-2005
Website: www.lindenwood.edu/boone

Come to Boonesfield Village for an evening of good old fashioned fun. Music and tales will enchant you to the flicker of candles and campfires.

Lemp Mansion Halloween Party

Date: Oct 25

Location: The Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn
Time: 8:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Cost: $45.00 in advance; $50.00 at the door
For more information call: (314) 664-8024
Website: www.lempmansion.com

Spend the evening with ghosts at the Lemp Mansion. There will be three live bands, costume contest with cash prizes, open bar, food and more

St. John’s Mercy Children’s Hospital Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday

Date: Oct 25
Location: The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 781-0900
Website: www.stlzoo.org

Mummies and daddies are invited to bring their little ghouls and goblins for safe and free trick-or-treating. Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating along the Pumpkin Trail from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Throughout the afternoon kids can make crafts and play games and join in a costume parade at 4:00 p.m.

Un-Haunted Halloween

Date: Oct 25
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $7.00
For more information call: (636) 451-3512 Registration required
Website: www.shawnature.org

Don your costume and explore the Halloween Village and the surrounding forest and prairie.

Apple Butter Festival

Date: Oct 25 & 26
Location: Kimmswick, Missouri
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information call: (636) 464-6464
Website: www.visitkimmswick.com

Vendor booths fill the city park and line the streets of Kimmswick selling a variety of crafts and food items. Live entertainment also be provided by the city of Kimmswick and Kimmswick Merchants. Shuttle service.

Information provided by Metromix, all events subject to change.

See you next time on the corner

Tags: events, halloween, mo, st louis

I would like to invite you to the National Donor Sabbath being held on Sunday, November 2nd at Concordia Lutheran Church at 6 pm. The purpose of this program, which is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to raise public awareness about transplantation  and organ donation. The ceremony also allows recipients to thank their donors for the gift of life.

Concordia Lutheran Church 

505 S. Kirkwood Rd.

Kirkwood, MO  63122

(Across from the Magic House)

See you next time on the corner

Tags: donor, missouri, mo, national donor sabbath, st louis

Most families automobile is their second largest investment they’ve made. Getting that investment safely to their new home is an important part of making a ROYAL MOVE.

What are the options for transporting my automobile?

Your auto can be moved with your household goods, on a trailer being pulled behind your self rented moving truck or with a separate auto transport company. To ship your car cost-effective, using an auto transport company it’s important to know about different shipping techniques, such as open or closed trailers. The model of the car, and destination, will help determine the type of trailer you will need.

What is an Open Trailer?

An open trailer is the more popular and frequently used trailer. It carries anywhere from 1-12 vehicles at a time.

Advantage: Open trailers are less expensive than closed trailers. The cost is determined by the weight of the vehicle.

Disadvantage: Open trailers are subject to the elements (i.e. rain, snow, wind, dirt, rocks and dust).

What is a closed trailer?

A closed trailer is a vehicle that has a covered freight area. It is commonly used for shipping expensive or classic cars that need to be protected. If you wish to protect your car from wind-blown sand and heat, this is your best option.

Advantage: The car is well-protected from the elements of nature.

Disadvantage: Closed trailers cost more, because they normally do not haul as many units as an open trailer. Remember, the cost is determined by the weight of the vehicle.

Is my car Insured?

The company that transports your vehicle(s) should provide adequate insurance to protect against driver negligence. Ask for a copy of the “Certificate of Insurance” and familiarize yourself with the types of coverage provided. Consult with your current auto insurance agent to determine whether you need supplemental coverage.

Turning your vehicle over to the carrier.

Prior to handing over your car to a driver or transport company, be sure you receive an “Original Inspection Report.” This report provides: pick-up and delivery information, current mileage, and most importantly, shows the condition of your car at time of pick-up (pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked glass/mirrors, general paint condition, etc.). Take plenty of photos also.

Accepting your vehicle for delivery.

At the time of delivery, inspect your vehicle thoroughly and compare the condition and mileage against the “Original Inspection Report.” Many transport companies also provide a copy of this report at time of delivery. If there are discrepancies, note them as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. NEVER accept your vehicle at night if you cannot verify the report condition and without being signed by the driver.

What’s in your trunk?

As of 1990 the Department of Transportation ruled that you may not load any items in a vehicle other than clothing. Auto transporters are not licensed to carry household goods or personal items. Damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is not covered by insurance.

Contact the The H Team for a referral to relocate your automobile.

Tags: moving, Moving Tips, real estate, real estate st louis mo, realtor, relocation, transporting

Moving can be one of the most stressful event you will experience. Working with an experienced full time team of Realtors such as The H Team will greatly reduce your stress level. Put your move in the hands of “The Royal Move” and sit back and relax.

Plan Ahead

• Record information about your move and keep it in one place.
• Print out our moving checklist
• Gather moving supplies: boxes, tape, markers, scissors, box cutters, blankets, moving pads, twine and/or rope and a hand cart.
• Sell or donate unwanted items.
• Keep a record of all your moving expenses, including receipts.
• Back up computer files and plan to safely transport delicate electronics.

Get Estimates, Contact Utility Companies

• Call movers or truck rental companies for estimates.
• Plan to disconnect current utilities and connect utilities at your new home.
• Notify your healthcare professionals about your move and, if necessary, ask for referrals.
• Register your children with the new schools.
• Advise the post office, IRS and all periodicals of your new address.
• Ask your insurance company to transfer your insurance to your new home
• Pick up dry cleaning, return movies, etc., near your old house

Pack it up

• Make a list of your valuables.
• Review packing tips.
• Fill suitcases with clothes or other items.
• Create a “Priority Box” with medications, toiletries, bed linens, a first aid kit, garbage bags, light bulbs, flashlights, towels, pet food, a small tool box, etc. Keep this with you during the move.

Remember the Details

• Keep your small tool box handy for breaking down and reassembling furniture.
• Move valuables yourself.
• Check items for damage if you used movers.
• Walk through every room one last time - don’t forget to check the storage areas and closets.

Welcome Yourself Home…

• Create an emergency phone list and post it somewhere visible.
• Change batteries in fire detectors and plan an escape route in case of fire.
• Mail thank you notes to people who helped you move.
• Send ‘We’ve Moved’ cards or e-mails with your new contact information to friends and family.
• Relax and enjoy your new home!

Tags: buyers agent, first time home buyer, real estate, real estate st louis mo, realtor

Mirrors and Pictures:

Clothing:

Lamp Shades:

Tables:

Best to remove the legs and stack on the edge. If unable to remove the legs protect the table top with a blanket.

Refrigerators and Freezers:

Small Kitchen Appliances:

Contact The H Team today for your free packing tips brochure.

Tags: loading, Moving Tips, packing, real estate, real estate st. louis, realtor, relocation