Planning for Moving House

If you have just bought or are considering buying a new home, then you will also need to plan the process of moving home. While there are many things that you have to remember, planning them in advance will make the whole move easier and less traumatic. So it is a good idea that, as soon as you know the completion date for your move, that you start planning.

There are certain things that take quite a bit of time and should be arranged at least a month in advance. You will want to inform your landlord or any flatmates, if you have any, of the date that you are leaving. This can mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not, if you are renting, so it's a good idea to let everyone know your plans as soon as you know them yourself.

You should probably also inform the gas and electricity companies of your knew property that you are the new owner. By doing this, it can avoid mix-ups later on. This would also include calling your telephone company and arranging to have your phone number transferred.

You can start packing up your things or getting boxes together. There are some things like books and photos that can be packed in advance and will save you hassle later on when the move gets closer. You may want to book some time of work, especially if you don't think you're going to be able to arrange the move in a weekend. Another good idea is to have a clearout and get rid of some old things that have been gathering dust. In fact, moving is the perfect chance to get rid of some of the belongings that accumulate over the years.

As the move gets closer you should book the removal company and arrange for transit insurance if you decide you need it. You can tell the post office to redirect your mail and you can also notify the local authority of the change in address for council tax purposes.

You should make sure that all your utility bills are paid up by the date of the move. You don't want the new owners to be hounding you for unpaid bills once you've moved and now is the time to make sure they are accurate. If you have services like milk deliveries, newspaper deliveries and the like you should have these cancelled.

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Landscaping Ideas For Your Home

Lately, it seems that everyone is conscious of being "green" both inside and out. Everyone wants to do their part in helping the environment. In Austin and Central Texas, conserving water and water-wise landscaping has become quite popular among homeowners. For the past few years, Central Texas has gone through one of the worst droughts on record. Many established trees and plants have suffered during several weeks of 100+ degree temps and little rain; however, with the proper planning and the right selection of materials, a landscape can beat the heat and survive in even the toughest of summers.

Now that Spring is closing in upon us, it is a good idea to take a minute and learn about the best ways to be green before digging into those new flower beds. Here are a few landscaping ideas that will help you in your gardening success.

First, make sure you have a plan before you start buying plants and trees. You need to know the right sun & shade requirements for plants on your property. It's also very important to know the mature size of plants. While some plants may begin small in a 1 gallon bucket, they can quickly out grow a space if not properly planned. Contact a landscape architect or landscape designer before starting out to get a plan implemented for your property--you'll save time and money in the long run.

The garden should be prepared with the right amendments. Depending on the plant, some shrubs require a lot of changes in the soil for success. Like the Hydrangea for example, the Ph of the soil needs to be higher or lower depending on flower color. To match your plant needs, it is important to know your soil type. Check with your local Ag Extension office or go online to Texas A&M Soil Testing to get a FREE test of your soil.They will provide you with a thorough analysis of your soil type.

While a lush green lawn can be very inviting, it can also soak up a lot of water in summer months. It is important to choose the right type of grass variety. In Austin, if your property is full sun, you may want to select Buffalo, Bermuda or Zoysia Grass. For shaded areas, go with either a St. Augustine or Zoysia variety.Also, think about using ground covers and landscape beds to reduce the amount of lawn for optimal water use.

In addition to choosing the right turf grass, use plants that are well adapted to thrive in your area. This includes sun/shade, soil conditions and deer resistance. I recommend visiting the City of Austin Grow Green website for suggested plants. Their website will give you plenty of information about growth habits, soil requirements, bloom cycles and deer resistance.

Now that a design is created for the landscape and your plants are selected, installing the right sprinkler system is a valuable asset for plant survival. An automatic irrigation system could save you hundreds of dollars from your water bill. It will also help give your new plants and trees the right amount of water they need to survive, then the watering can be adjusted as they become more established.

Finally, it is important to provide some upkeep in the garden. For example, to suppress weeds and keep the plants cool, apply at least 1" of organic mulch to flower beds. It's also good to trim perennials, trees and roses in late winter when plants are dormant. This prepares the plants for the upcoming Spring. Keeping turf at its optimal height, periodically checking the irrigation system, and other basic maintenance saves time and water while providing a more beautiful landscape.

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Composite Front Door Styles

Composite doors are the innovative introduction to homes from the door industry. Where other front doors and back doors fail, composite doors not only do the job, but they exceed expectations in virtually every way. Affordable, functional and stylish, these new doors are expected to raise the industry's standards as they gain more and more popularity. This article is going to cover some of the designs on offer.

Firstly, the Westminster composite door is a classic design. It features four rectangular panels with two smaller square panels at the top of the door. With this design, you can have an entirely solid door for maximum privacy, glazing on the top two square panels to allow light in but maintain the majority of privacy or the top two square panels and the top two rectangular panels glazed to allow a larger amount of light to pass.

The Kensington composite door is a simple but smart design featuring four rectangular panels. The door is available with entirely solid panels or with the top two rectangle panels glazed. The traditional appearance of the Kensington would compliment the style of any home as a front door.

The Chigwell design is very similar to the Kensington design. Instead of four rectangular panels, the top two panels have an elegant curved design and are only available glazed. This simple addition to the design can make a big difference to the overall look of the door.

The Dalston composite door is again a design much like the Kensington and the Chigwell. The variation of this design is that the top two glazed panels are arched. The lower two rectangular panels remain solid. Another simple but highly effective style for you to choose from.

The Mayfair door is available in three different options. The first Mayfair features four rectangular panels with a glazed 'wheel' at the top of the door. Much like the Westminster, this offers privacy whilst still allowing light into the room. The wheel is a very attractive design option. For those looking for something a bit simpler, the second Mayfair design features four rectangular panels with a glazed semi-circle at the top. The final Mayfair door is perfect for a bright and airy hallway - featuring two solid lower rectangular panels, two upper glazed rectangular panels and a glazed semi-circle at the top.

The Trafalgar composite door is a charming style, perfect for back doors. The two options both come with two solid lower rectangular panels. The first features a large grid window with nine panes of glazing. The second is a simpler design, with one large glazed window. The large windows allow a lot of light to pass through, perfect for darker rooms.

The Finsbury is a very attractive door. The first style combines design elements from the Mayfair Wheel and the Trafalgar Grid - with two solid lower panels, a glazed grid in the centre and a glazed wheel at the top of the door. The second Finsbury features a large arched window.

Each composite door comes with further options to customize your door and really make it your own. There 

is a choice of seven external colours to compliment your house and three hardware finishes to brighten your door. Finally, there are a large range of glass designs, from simple to stylish, for glazed doors and a range of backing glasses that allow you to choose the level of privacy you would like, regardless of the size, position or design of your window.

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Bedroom Design - Design Your Dream Bedroom

The ideal room

Make a list of what you want from a bedroom. Do you need a room you can escape to, watch TV, work or just sleep in? Do you want a really big bed or lots of storage? Do you like a particular look? Be realistic about what you can achieve in the space you have.

The plan

Start by sketching a plan of the structural elements, like the chimney breast, windows and doors - basically the things that can't be moved. Then experiment with the position of the key pieces - the bed, wardrobes, chests, remembering that you need space for drawers to open and to walk around the bed.

 The bed

Go for the biggest bed you can. Disturbance from a partner is one of the commonest cause of sleep complaints. As to where to position it, most choose the obvious and put the headboard up against a wall, but a little lateral thinking might free up valuable wall space. Try moving your bed into the centre of the room and using the wall behind for a wardrobe with sliding doors. Even if you don't believe in feng shui, it's better to plan your room so your bed isn't right behind the door as it can make the room feel quite closed in.

The built-in option

As fitted bedroom furniture goes from the floor to the ceiling, there are no gaps. This means less dusting and makes the most of awkward areas like sloping ceilings. Also when you use the full height of a wall you can create useful high cupboards for storing little used items like hats and extra bedding. What many people like about fitted bedrooms is the opportunity to choose their own co-ordinated scheme.

The freestanding option

If you like the look(and portability) of freestanding wardobes and chests, check they have the internal fittings you'll need. Look at your clothes and decide what will be useful - drawers for folding jumpers, shelves for shoes and full-length hanging space for party dresses and winter coats. Take advantage of the trend for customising pieces to get the exact combination and look you want. For instance, BoConcept not only sells different-sized chests and wardrobes, you can also choose handles, legs and wood finish.

The inside of your wardrobe

Whether you go for a fitted or freestanding option, the secret to a relaxing bedroom can lie behind the cupboard doors. So devote as much time to planning the inside as you do to choosing the wardrobe itself. You'll be amazed how many more closes you can fit in with double-height hanging rails, drawers with dividers and fully extendable drawers that mean you can get to things right at the back. Ikea and The Holding Company sell great space-saving accessories.

The flooring

As your bedroom gets much less traffic than other rooms, you can have more textured carpets - like a loop-pile - and choose paler shades than you might use downstairs. Wood floors - either solid or engineered - and laminates are becoming more popular in the bedroom and can be combined with underfloor heating. If you're unsure about the minimalist look, add comfort by having a deep-pile rug next to the bed.

The lighting

Don't leave the lighting to the end - particularly if you are going to need extra sockets or want to fit wall lights. The basic rule is that bedrooms need to be bright in the morning and atmospheric at night. Fitting a dimmer switch and having bedside lamps helps achieve this balance. You can also use lighting to highlight features, for instance, line the front of your wardrobes with discreet low-voltage downlighters.

The look

Your bedroom is one room in which you can give your personality full rein, so don't be afraid to try out a scheme that might be a bit much in the living room. Glamour looks work well, with daring colour schemes and glam elements, like mirrored furniture, metallics and white leather. Or opt for dark woods for smart, grown-up luxury.

The atmosphere

Don't forget that your bedroom should be a room in which you feel truly relaxed. That way you have much more chance of getting a good night's sleep. If you must have a television or computer in your bedroom, create as much separation space between them and your sleeping area as you can. Ideally, it's best to have them built in, so that they can be hidden away when not in use.

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Moving Home

After much thought and deliberation you have taken the final step and made the decision to move home.

For many people this is the start of a lot of stress and worry that can last for two or three months until the final move is made.

If this is your first move then you may be unsure how to proceed.

First of all take a look around your home and see if it needs sprucing up a little, this could make a big difference as a prospective buyer will be more inclined to lean towards the asking price if it is looking good.

Your garden can also be an inducement so trim the hedges and mow the lawn if it is in need so it looks tidy and neat.

Your very first job is to contact an Estate Agent and ask them to look over your home and give you the market value.

You should then contact your mortgage lender and find out what the final value will be to pay off your mortgage so you can assess the amount of money you will have towards a deposit on your new home.
If you are happy with your present mortgage lender you can approach them for advice on applying for a new mortgage.

You can now begin your search for your new home.

Do not contemplate selling your present home until you have found the one you wish to purchase or you could end up with out a home or the loss of a good sale if you have to pull out. This is upsetting for every one especially if it involves a chain, plus your purchaser will already be facing solicitors fees.

It can be quite thrilling looking over homes with a view to buying, it could be your future home so make sure it is exactly what you want before committing yourself.

On a more personal note, quite often you can walk into a home and know instantly it is for you, this is even before you have looked around. It can be a feeling of welcome or homeliness as you enter the house, do not ignore those feelings they mean a lot.

When you find a house and it is just what you are looking for do a little homework before putting in an offer.

First of all how long has the house been for sale? if it has been on the market for a while then the vendors may accept a lower offer. Enquire about the neighbours after all you do not want to live next door to rowdy or quarrelsome neighbours.

Visit the house during the day and during the evening you will then be able to judge on the amount of traffic that passes your front door and if the area is exactly what you are looking for.

If you have children are the local schools within walking distance or will they have to cross busy highways to get there.

If you are satisfied that you have found the ideal home and location then your next step is to make an offer, put in a lower offer but be prepared to go up on it if it is not accepted.

Once it is accepted inform the vendor that you are about to put your house for sale so they will be prepared for the wait if your home takes a few weeks to sell.

The only problem with this is that if another buyer comes along with a higher offer or an immediate purchase you could lose out, so refrain from informing your solicitor of the purchase until you receive an offer for your own home.

If you are lucky and a first time buyer comes along then everything will proceed smoothly but if a chain develops you could have a longer wait before your move to your new home.

The sale has gone through and you have a moving date it is now time to make arrangements with a removal firm.

A reputable firm will come to your home and assess what furniture is to be moved and also if there is any valuable items that need a lot of care, they may also be prepared to do the packing for you. this of course will show up on the final price.

It is preferable to go with a well known company so you can be assured that things will run smoothly.
An unknown firm may be cheaper but are they experienced and trustworthy?

Your last decision is who will remain in your old home to make sure everything is removed and the house is left in good order, and who will go to your new home to see the furniture is placed exactly where you want it.

This will probably be moms job and if children are involved she will be there to keep control of their exuberant spirits as this a time of excitement for them.

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