Things you need to consider about homeowners insurance:

• Loyalty is overrated – while insurers are competing hard for new clients, many have been increasing rates to make up for the losses they suffered during the recent financial crisis. Some new policyholders are getting better deals than existing customers, so be sure to check for some quotes online when you receive your renewal statement. Also consider moving your automobile insurance too, as bundling both policies with the same insurer can save you 5%-15% on premiums.
• Over insured – most homeowner policies contain an inflation protection that automatically increases your coverage by a few percent each year. Remember that you may have your home insured for its construction (replacement) value or for an amount much higher than it is currently worth in the market. Adjusting it down to reflect the 30-40% price drop in real estate will save you hundreds.
• Check your claim history – just like lenders who check your credit report, insurers check your past in national databases like Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) to see what claims you may have filed. Those records can be full of errors, so check your insurance report for any mistakes at Choice Trust – it’s free if you have been denied coverage and $19.50 otherwise.
• Watch for small claims – Choose the highest deductible (at least $1000) you can afford and bank the savings to cover the cost of minor repairs out of pocket. This alone can save you as much as 25% on your annual premium. Filing a claim for every leaky pipe or broken window will cost you up to 15% more on a renewal. Even simply inquiring about making a claim (without even actually making a claim) can raise a red flag and ding you when renewal time rolls around.
• Home history matters – If you’re buying a house, know that the claim history associated with that property can cause you to pay higher premiums than you would otherwise. Certain locations that are susceptible to flooding may be more prone to claims. To get data on prior claim history, ask for a CLUE disclosure report from the seller.

If you are buying a home today:

• You still have the upper hand in making a great deal but you won’t find the huge discounts from listing prices any more, mostly because sellers have dropped their prices already and there is a good deal of buyer competition for flipping properties or purchasing investment rentals. Making an offer 10% below list is still reasonable, but don’t expect a sure deal. The average homebuyer today is only saving about 3% from the listing price. So look for the seller to perhaps pay your closing costs instead, which can easily save you about $5000.
• List your own home before you start shopping for a new one because it takes about 90 days to sell property today. Sellers will not be happy accepting purchase offers with “sale of my own home” contingencies in them, so you will have more leverage during negotiations since the deal is less likely to fall apart. Getting pre-qualified for a new mortgage is a must-have as well, in order for your purchase offer to be seriously considered.
• Don’t fall in love! Be prepared to walk away if the seller will not make reasonable concessions, as your ability to abandon these negotiations is your best bargaining tool. Given the plentiful supply of very similar and comparable homes on the market, you should not have too much difficulty swapping one house for another in your search.

If you are selling your home today:

• Don’t be offended by lowball offers and be sure to keep your cool so you don’t blow any chance at negotiating. The buyer is most likely just testing you to see how large a discount they can get from the asking price. Thank the potential buyer for their interest and ask that they come back with earnest offers (money accompanying the purchase offer). Show the bidder comparable homes and recent sales data to support your listing price.
• Be honest about the property by having your house inspected before putting it up for sale. In Arizona, you need to make a Sellers Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) so make any necessary repairs yourself to limit the amount of issues potential buyers will point out to negotiate on.
• Be ready to move fast and make sure you tell potential buyers, especially those with children of school age. It will help your home stand out from the short sales and foreclosures in your neighborhood, which may hove lower list prices but much longer closing periods (up to 6 months). Buyers with a time limit will be more willing to pay up for a house that they can move in to quickly. 

1. Paint rooms a neutral shade and add a few accent walls throughout house in a different color to stand out
2. Add some fabric window treatments (they do not have to be custom made) to soften walls and add more color
3. Rent a carpet steam cleaner and deep shampoo your high traffic areas and brighten up your old rugs
4. Trim your trees and shape up your garden, perhaps by adding some new plants for variety and color
5. Clean out the garage to get rid of junk and clutter, plus you may even make a few bucks selling unused items on Craigslist or eBay
6. Reconsider your current furniture layout, as sometimes moving pieces around the house can maximize their look
7. Make those small home repairs you have been putting off, like fixing the gutters or oiling squeaky hinges
8. Consider adding some stone or tile as a wall accent or backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom
9. Resurface and stain your old outdated kitchen cabinets, then add some nice new hardware to set them off
10. Add some do-it-yourself landscape lighting to your garden to shine up on the trees and house and down on the pathways

If you need help relocating to Phoenix or moving within Phoenix, I can help you with renting, buying or selling your property. My clients can also benefit from a 10% discount on moving and storage with PODS (Portable On Demand Storage). This is a smart way to help sell your home and, after the sale, move to your next one. They deliver a container, you fill it up and keep the only key, then they store the container at one of their many secure centers. After the sale, PODS will deliver the container to your next home.

6 weeks before the move:

• Decide what items you are taking to your new home. If you choose to get rid of unnecessary items, consider donating them to charity (tax deductible charitable contribution) or having a garage sale. Contact a local charity for collection or drop-off details, or select a date at least two weeks before your moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the garage sale locally with neighborhood signs and free internet classified postings on Craigslist. Perhaps team up with some of your neighbors who want to sell their old belongings too and plan a neighborhood street sale.
• Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do some or all of your own packing (most people do). You could purchase these materials from an office supply store or a moving supply company. Or hit the area merchants and ask for any boxes they may be throwing away or check the dumpsters behind the buildings if you’re that ambitious.
• Think about your new home floor plan and start thinking about where you’ll place the furniture. Create a layout map of your new house to prevent some of the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives off the moving truck and through the doors faster than you expected. Movers aren’t too happy holding a sofa while you try to figure out if it goes in the family room or upstairs in the bonus room.
• Get familiar with your new community by gathering information on schools, community programs, parks and recreation from the local Chamber of Commerce.
• If moving out of the city, all travel arrangements (hotel, flight, car rental) for your family should be made now for maximum savings.
• Keep receipts for moving-related expenses as many moving expenses are tax deductible. Obtain a Change of Address Form 8822 from the Internal Revenue Service. You will be able to print this and most other IRS tax forms, such as Form 3903 to help deduct moving expenses.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer home and auto insurance.
• All medical and dental information should be stored in an accessible place. Be sure to include prescription, vaccination records and eyeglass specifications.

4 weeks before the move:

• Provide the United States Postal Service with an online Change of Address form to tell them of your move.
• Remember to give your new address to all utilities companies:

1. Telephone
2. Trash/Recycling
3. Cable/Internet
4. Water
5. Electric
6. Gas

• Don’t forget to notify others as well:

1. Insurance Companies
2. Banks and Financial Institutions
3. Creditors
4. Health Providers (doctor, dentist, veterinarian and pharmacist)
5. Schools
6. Subscriptions/Organizations 

• Organize lists of items your mover will take and items you will move yourself.

3 weeks before the move:

• Notify your mover if there are any changes to the dates of your move. Also inform them if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment (this will affect your moving quote as it based mostly on weight).
• Decide how much packing your will do yourself and inform the mover of any items you prefer them to pack.
• Whether you move your car with the same mover or a car carrier, you should make your final reservation for vehicle pick up.
• Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper health certificates and rabies inoculations, as some states will require these documents.
• You will need to carry all valuable jewelry or rare items with you, so be prepared.
• Return any borrowed items from friends such as books or tools.

2 weeks before the move:

• Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Call your financial institution to find out how best to close or transfer your accounts. Clear out your safety deposits boxes.
• Disconnect your computer before the move and backup all your files on an external drive or disc. Consider taking the backup files with you in the car.
• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home, including closets, basement and attic, noting the items you will take.
• Properly dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped.
• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic, non-flammable in plastic bags.
• Drain your lawn mower, snow blower and power tools of oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.
• Schedule appliance disconnection and shipping preparation with a service provider.
• Inform gas, electric, cable and telephone companies of your move. Arrange to have them disconnected from your present home the day after your scheduled moving date. Sign up for services at your new address and have them activated for your moving-in day.
• Have your vehicle serviced if your travel involves long distance driving.

1 week before the move:

• Make sure to clearly mark which items you are taking yourself, so the movers won’t take them or have any questions.
• Mark your boxes to be shipped with “Fragile”, “Do Not Load”, “Load Last” labels when appropriate.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator and freezer, then clean your stove, at least 24 hours before moving to let them air. Use baking soda to get rid of odors.
• Prepare items you will need while your belongings are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family.
• Make sure your mover knows the address and phone number at your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you get to your new house.

1 day before the move:

• Pack a box of things you’ll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. This might include disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items and trash bags.
• Take this box with you or have the driver load it last and unload it first.
• Make sure all packing services have been performed before you sign for them.

The big moving out day:

• Be ready on time when the driver arrives and throughout the loading process. If you won’t be there, make sure someone will be there to direct the movers. Make sure the driver has (in writing) the name and phone number of that responsible person.
• Accompany the driver during inventory. Check the condition of your goods as they are loaded.
• Make a final tour of your home, seeing that nothing is overlooked.
• Sign the bill of lading, making sure your new address and phone number are correct.
• Lock all windows and doors and turn off all switches.

The big moving in day:

• Arrive at your new home a day ahead of time, if possible, to make sure all utilities are connected and to finalize placement of major items in your home.
• Be on hand to pay the driver with cash, traveler’s check, certified check or money order prior to your goods being unloaded. Remember to consider tipping the delivery men ($20 each is good) if they do a nice job.