If you’re planning to make a move to a new area this year, you’re probably considering which area is the best place to move to in America for you. Whether your top consideration is price, climate, proximity to work, schooling opportunities, or more, knowing where to start in your home search can be a tall order.

Even if you’re an experienced home renter or buyer who has moved long distances before, choosing a new place to live that’s very far from home can be a tough undertaking. Especially if you have children, pets, or other considerations, making the most out of your new neighborhood and state is always a top consideration.

If you’ve considered moving to Washington D.C, but aren’t quite sure if the area is exactly right for you, we’ve got some great reasons why D.C is the place to be.

5 Reasons to Move to Washington D.C

Washington D.C is a much sought-after city with a lot to offer its residents. Between the job opportunities, sports and entertainment, and vibrant social scenes, this city has a little something for everyone.

1. Washington D.C’s History

A big reason why people might consider moving to Washington D.C is due to its rich history. As the nation’s capital, this area is quite literally full of historical buildings, culturally significant monuments, and tons of museums.

1. The Culture

As we previously mentioned, Washington D.C is home to some of the biggest and most historically significant museums in the country, including the Smithsonian, the National Air & Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African American History & Culture, the International Spy Museum, and more. Many of these museums are available to view at low cost or for free on some days, and make an incredible resource if you’re looking for something to do for the whole family.

1. D.C’s Sports Scene

Home to the Washington Capitals, the Wizards, Nationals, and Commanders, Washington D.C is home to several sports teams, and has games going at nearly every time in the season.

1. The Job Market

Because it’s the hub of all governmental functions in the country, Washington D.C has a thriving job market and a huge amount of growth opportunities for people in many different industries.

Because the median income in this area is much higher than the national average (as is the cost of living), if you find a job in Washington D.C, you’ll probably receive a much higher salary than in other areas.

1. Outdoor Activities & Green Spaces

Washington D.C is home to a ton of green spaces, biking trails, and tons of outdoor activities to do for the entire family. The city has over 60 miles of biking trails alone, and is home to tons of beautifully landscaped parks and many large gardens, including Potomac Park and the National Arboretum.

Washington D.C. is an amazing place to live and has a little something for everybody. It’s no wonder the area is a huge destination for so many! If you’re looking to move to Washington D.C, look no further than Able Moving Services. We’ll handle your move transparently and professionally, and allow you to have the best and smoothest experience possible.

If you’re gearing up for a move, you need to take into account many different variables and factors when doing your research on local moving companies so that you choose the one that’s right for you. There are many options out there, but not all residential moving companies have the right services and packages for you. There’s no better way to make sure you receive the smoothest and most straightforward services to make your moving process a smooth one.

Having the right local residential movers on your side is the only way to truly make sure that your relocation is smooth, straightforward, and communicative every step of the way. While using professional movers might come at a higher price than renting your own moving truck and handling the process yourself, the convenience and lack of effort that comes with hiring professionals makes it so worth it. Not to mention, hiring professional movers absolves you of the task of doing all that heavy lifting!

How to Find the Right Local Residential Movers

If you’re looking for the right professional movers for your residential move, it can be easy to get lost in all of the moving companies out there, not to mention when it comes to comparing and contrasting rates and services. On top of that, fielding calls left and right from moving companies trying to gain your business can quickly get to be not only annoying, but completely overwhelming.

Making your search easier is the best thing to do in order to properly narrow down the results, so let’s go over the top 5 things to look for in a residential moving company.

1. Look for the Best Reviews

When looking for the right moving company, the first thing you should look for is the reviews left on not just their website, but on Google, the Better Business Bureau, and more. Also make sure to ask around to friends and family to see if they have experience working with the company, or which movers they’ve had good experiences with. If you don’t look at the reviews for the company you’re working with, you could wind up setting yourself up for a negative moving process and even damage to your things.

Checking your moving company’s reviews can also help you avoid rental scams, so make sure to do your research and make sure your company has the reputation to back itself up.

1. Choose a Company with Experience

In your moving company research, you need to pay attention to how long your potential moving company has been in business for. You’re going to want to work with a company that has had several good years in the relocation business.

1. What Services They Offer

Make sure the moving company you work with has a wide variety of services and packages to best suit you and your moving needs. Use a moving company like Able Moving & Storage to get the best prices and best services for your money. Able Moving & Storage will offer you the best moving packages for your move, no matter the size or scope.

1. What Their Specialities Are

If you’re about to embark on a local residential move, or a long-distance or international move, make sure you’re using a company that specializes in the type of move you need. Using a company with these specialties will ensure the safety of your items, as well as the efficiency of their delivery.

Able Moving & Storage specializes in long-distance and international residential moves, and is ready to bring you and your items wherever they need to go.

1. Level of Customer Service

The biggest thing to judge a moving company off of, besides positive reviews, is the level of customer service you receive. You should always receive attentive, professional, and friendly professional customer service from representatives that always put you first and emphasize the importance of open communication.

Looking for a residential mover can be an overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. Use Able Moving & Storage to allow yourself to have the best and smoothest local residential move possible.

As we get further and further into 2022, a lot of people have chosen to prioritize their health and happiness in ways not completely seen prior. This applies to all things, from job happiness to home life – and even where they’d like to live.

Over the past couple of years, a huge amount of people have chosen to move across the state, country, or even the world as they’re able to work out of what has become a permanent work-from-home environment.

This emphasis on making yourself a priority and trying to free yourself from everyday stress and unhappiness even extends to the world of moving and packing. After all, if your moving is less than smooth or just an all-around terrible process, it can put a damper on the excitement of moving into your new home. So how do you have a stress-free move in 2022? We’ve got all the tips and tricks to give you a stress-free move this year.

Tips to Make Moving Less Stressful

1. Accept that no move is 100% stress-free. The best way to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible is to accept that things happen, and that you might experience a bump or two in the road. Keep your expectations realistic, and try to plan for the unexpected. If you do experience something that might cause you to stress, try to roll with the punches and deal with it the best you can. Not everything can be perfect, but your reaction and how you handle things can make a big difference in how you feel about the situation!

1. Choose the right movers for the job. Though every move is going to have some sort of stress that comes with it (you are moving, after all!). Having the right movers on your side can make all the difference. Able Moving & Storage has an experienced and dedicated team of experts who truly have you in mind every step of your items’ journey, and truly act in your best interest.

1. Check-in with yourself. Because moving can seem like it goes so fast, it can often be an overwhelming process for a lot of people. Don’t ignore your emotions or feelings throughout your move, and recognize when you need to take a break or a breather from planning and figuring out what the plan is for your new place.

1. Declutter. Odds are, you’ll experience a much easier moving process if you clean out your home before the process begins, and rid yourself of anything you don’t need, want, or use. There’s no better way to purge yourself of the old and get ready for what the future brings than by getting rid of items that would just be annoying to move and that you’re not attached to regardless. This can also make your move cheaper, as you’ll have fewer heavy things to weigh and move!

When tackling any move, you want a moving company on your side who you know is there for you and your household items. For the most stress-free and straightforward moving process possible, look no further than Able Moving & Storage. Contact us here to learn more about us and our services.

When you make the decision to buy your first house, it’s very easy to get over-excited and rush into things, or even jump the gun on buying a home that might not be right for you. If you’re looking to purchase your first house, hopefully you’ve already fortified your financial profile and have started doing research on what you might be interested in in a home. Additionally, having money saved up for a downpayment and making sure your credit is looking good will also really help you in the process.

However, even if you put in a ton of work to get yourself and your finances ready for purchasing a new place, the process of home buying can be long and arduous. So how can you make sure that you’re prepared and ready to buy your first house, and try to streamline the process as much as possible? Let’s explore the best things to know before buying your first house.

Steer clear of first-time homebuyer mistakes and figure out what you should and shouldn’t do during your house search with our house hunting tips and tricks.

What to Know Before Buying a House

When beginning your house hunt, you need to do your due diligence to figure out what you’re looking for and what you can realistically afford to pay for a new home. To start the process off correctly, begin the house hunting process with the following steps:

• What Can You Afford?

Determining what you can afford and what your maximum price could be before you start looking for houses will make you be more responsible in your search, but also saves you from getting your hopes up over a home that’s outside of your range.

• Getting Pre- Approved for a Mortgage

Prior to your house hunt, meet with a mortgage lender ahead of time to lock down your budget and what amount you’ll be approved for. Getting pre-approved for a loan can make you a credible buyer and will let you be better financially prepared for buying your first home.

The pre-approval process will also let you get ahead and save time later on, since it is a more in depth process and takes more time than just getting pre-qualified. This will also let sellers know you’re a serious buyer with credibility.

• Determine What You’re Looking for

Avoid just going to see whatever house first catches your eye or jumping at whichever house is flashiest. Make a list of what you want from your home, and what some non-negotiables are – even to just sort through online listings.

Additionally, narrow down the neighborhoods you’re interested in living in, and try to keep an eye out for up and coming neighborhoods that you can flourish with later on.

When looking for a house, having definite neighborhoods you’re interested in, as well as a specific price range and list of must-haves will let you eliminate houses easily and will save you from getting sidetracked or focused on cosmetic aspects of a home that can be easily changed.

• Get in the Right Mindset

A lot of home buyers expect the process to be straightforward and to find success fairly easily, but that’s not always the case. Sure yourself up and get ready for what could be a stressful and drawn out process, and try to manage your expectations.

Don’t let yourself be pressured into anything you’re not comfortable with, and don’t rush into a decision you’re not ready for. Make sure you’ve found the best home for you and take your time in finding it.

Now that you’ve found your perfect home, it’s time to work with the best movers for the job. Able Moving & Storage. As a local, family-owned company, we know how important it is to have the right professional movers on your side. Check out our personalized services today.

You’ve gotten through it! The effort that goes into packing and moving your entire home and family is no joke, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You just finished a hugely stressful, yet successful process. Though you might not be completely out of the woods yet, you now can kind of take things at your own pace and relax a bit. 

Now that you’re in your new home, you can be comfortable knowing everything is as it should be, and that you can kind of unpack and organize everything however you want – and take as much time as you want! There’s no need to rush into the unpacking process, no matter how much you might want your things to be in order again already. After all, moving is incredibly stressful, and you should take a load off and unpack casually, and at the pace most suited for you. 

Whether you’re unpacking at the speed of light or at the speed of molasses, it’s important to make sure you’re not putting forth more effort than you have to, and that your unpacking process is both smart and efficient. How do you make sure of this? Check out our helpful unpacking tips below. 

• Check Your New Home’s Level of Cleanliness

Unfortunately, upon moving into your new home, you might want to clean, or at least give surfaces wipe downs to make sure you’re not moving into a dusty or otherwise not up to par environment. You don’t want to unpack your clean items into a dirty area, after all. Even if your landlord or previous owner says they cleaned prior to your moving in, best to make sure everything is up to your standards before unpacking anything. 

• Move Boxes to Rooms of Choice

A super efficient way to unpack quickly (or at least smartly) is by moving (labelled) boxes directly to the rooms the items within will be going into. This will help you to organize your things, as well as plan out your new home. 

• Avoid Perfectionism

It’s easy to get that feeling of perfectionism, and wanting to have everything in its assigned space as soon as possible. However, things don’t work like that, and you shouldn’t put more pressure on yourself than you need to. Accept that things will need to be moved around, or otherwise maybe reworked a few times before you truly find a space you like for everything in your rooms and home. 

• Unpack Common Areas First

When unpacking, try to unpack high traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom first. This will let you have your everyday comforts and necessities at your fingers immediately, which will let you relax and not have to live out of boxes for longer than you have to. 

Whether you’re just getting ahead on the packing process and looking for the best strategy to make your unpacking process easier later on, or currently unpacking in real time, don’t forget to utilize Able Moving & Storage for all of your moving and storage needs. Even if you’ve just finished moving, it’s never a bad idea to have reliable, affordable, and efficient movers in the back of your mind for your next relocation. Check out Able Moving & Storage’s amazing services here.

Packing up all of the rooms in your home one by one is unquestionably a daunting task and huge chore to take care of when you’re moving house, and is certainly not something anybody wants to necessarily deal with. However, putting it off and not having an efficient packing plan set in place is a huge mistake, and will make your process much bumpier than it has to be. 

When you’re gearing up for a move, it’s important to start early, and have a packing plan and strategy in place so that you’re not just haphazardly throwing things into boxes at the last minute and running. No, you need to have a plan to ensure your efficiency of moving, and to make sure your items are kept safe and not damaged while packing last-minute. 

How to Pack for a Move

When moving you’ll want to start your packing process room by room, and packing things up little by little until it’s all cleared away. So which rooms are the best to start out with? And which items should you leave to pack until you’re ready to go? If you haven’t moved before, or if you’ve never moved with a cohesive plan in place before, we have all of the best tips for how to pack room by room. 

Rooms to Prioritize

As you start packing, you’ll see that it’s best to start with items that you don’t actually need, and whose use you won’t need or necessarily miss while in the moving process. Often, these times are consequently in the rooms that you don’t use much in your home. 

• Spare Bedrooms

Odds are, you don’t have too much company while in the middle of the moving process, so it’s safe to say that it’s a good idea to pack up your spare bedrooms first, especially if you partially tend to use them for storage. 

• Attic

Your attic is probably filled with a bunch of stuff that’s either old, that you don’t use, or stuff that you only use seasonally. Though a great space to have, attics are notorious for just becoming a space to throw random stuff. Clear out your attic first, and then pack up the remaining items to take with you. 

• Garage

Like your attic, your garage can become a dumping ground of sorts for things you might want to store, or for things you might just not know what to do with. Like your attic, clear out your garage first, and then pack up the items within it that are left. 

• Patios

Patios are mostly just for entertaining or a casual night in, so they’re not essential to your everyday life while in the middle of a move. Don’t leave your patio or sunroom area to the last minute to pack – get that furniture squared away before you have to pack up for your regular stuff!

• Playrooms

This one might be met with a lot of pushback, but your kids’ playrooms often house a ton of items that can really slow down your packing process if you don’t start early. If your kids protest, you can compromise with them and let them know that you promise to unpack their playroom toys and furniture first at your new home. 

No matter where you’re headed, you can’t get the packing process started without an amazing moving company booked and ready to be by your side in this. Looking for dependable, full service movers who will even take care of the packing process for yoUu? Look no further than Able Moving. Want to learn more? Contact us here for more information or for a free quote.

When you’ve been living in an apartment or a rented home for a while, you can easily start to feel restless or like it’s time for a change. Even after just a year, you might be unhappy with your living situation and feel the need to move or otherwise explore other options to upgrade your apartment or living experience. Maybe you’re moving on with your life and even looking to buy a new home by yourself – the possibilities are endless!

No matter what your reason is for wanting to move out of your current rental situation, it’s important to know how to properly give your landlord notice, while also leaving a good impression just in case you’ll need them as a reference later on. 

How to Properly Put in Notice

Establishing clear and concise communication with your landlord is the key to making sure that not only your existing living situation is a positive one, but also that you retain a good relationship with your former landlord after you move on to other properties, whether rented or owned. So how does putting in your moving notice work?

Well, putting in your moving notice can be different from lease to lease or landlord to landlord, but there are some general rules or etiquette involved in the process. First of all, ALWAYS give your landlord notice if you intend to move out, and always do it well ahead of the end of your lease. Not only is this a professional courtesy and a motion of respect between the two of you, but leases often stipulate a certain time period that notice of moving needs to be given by before your lease either automatically renews on its own, or a time period where you’ll be penalized or charged if your notice is given after then.

To avoid souring your relationship with your existing landlord, avoid being charged or penalized in some way, and just to get it out of the way, make sure to give your landlord  at least 60-90 days notice before the end of your lease term if you intend to move out. Your exact time parameters should be stipulated on your lease as well. 

Writing Your Move Out Notice

Whether done over email, by mail, or in person, it’s important to draft a move out notice (or a plan for breaking the news to your landlord) ahead of time. If you do not intend to renew your lease, putting in your notice isn’t as hard or as awkward as you would think. This is a business relationship, after all.

Make sure to keep your notice professional and lay out your email or notice correctly. Include your name, date, your landlord or property manager’s name, and the home or unit’s full address within the notice.

Include a clear statement as to your termination or non-renewal of the lease, and include your intended move-out date (if you have one ahead of the end of your agreed lease). If you intend to move out early, know that you will be expected to continue your regular agreed to payments as disclosed and agreed upon in your lease. 

Next, include your expectations as to the return of your security deposit, and include an address they can send a check to or information as to how they can return that to you in your move out notice. Also include a forwarding address (if you have one already) for mail or any future correspondence. 

What Next?

Now that you’ve put in your notice with your landlord, it’s time to look for the right movers to get you to your new home or apartment with ease. Not sure where to look? Contact Able Moving to receive the best moving experience possible.

Whether you’re looking for movers just to get you from point A to point B, or if you’re in the market for full service movers who will take care of all aspects of your move (including packing, loading and unloading), it’s important to know what you’re getting into, and whether or not the company you’re choosing is the right one for you. Read below on how to choose the right movers.

Choosing the Right Full Service Movers

Additionally, if you’re looking for a full service moving service as an alternative to moving yourself, but aren’t convinced you need full service movers as of yet, there are a few things to take into consideration. 

No matter where you’re headed, you might think that you don’t need to hire movers to take care of your relocation for you, or that the cost difference will be too large to reconcile within your budget. However, depending on the size and scope of your move, not only will the cost of moving yourself be comparable to hiring full service movers, but you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time, stress, and physical strain. When you’re pulling off a move, time is money – and it might be worth it to research having your move taken care of for you. 

How to Spot Moving Scammers

When you’re researching any service, odds are you’re going to run into some scammers or those looking to rip you off – especially when it comes to moving. Oftentimes, if you don’t do your full research or cover all of your bases, it can be a little hard to spot moving scams until it’s too late. 

So how do you avoid moving scams? It all comes down to doing extremely thorough research and asking the right questions. First of all, make sure you’re not going in blind. Ask friends or trusted colleagues for moving service recommendations, and make sure they’ve had positive experiences and received good pricing for their move. 

Also, once you’ve received recommendations, make sure to also check these companies out on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and Angie’s List to make sure that all of their customers have received excellent service and pricing from them.

After doing this, also research the company with the American Moving & Storage Association, and see if they are certified or otherwise accredited from other reputable moving associations. See if they’re partnered with a larger reputable van line company as well.

Finally, ask for the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation registration number, and look up any federally registered complaints they might have. 

Questions to Ask Your Moving Company

Before you hire a company, make sure to ask them the hard hitting questions that will not only let them know that you mean business, but that will also ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting into as far as costs, timelines, and overall service.  

• Is the moving quote received an estimate, or a ceiling that the price will not exceed?
• What are the moves’ insurance terms? Does insurance cover the entire value of each item in the event of damage? 
• Are there hidden fees? Will I receive additional charges for certain items?
• How long have you been operating for?
• Are your moving crew in-house employees, or are the temporary hires or otherwise sourced from another company?
• Do your employees undergo background checks?
• Can I have a copy of your liability insurance and coverage policy?
• What is my move’s timeline, including packing and estimated arrival date?

To make sure you receive the best price, service, and overall experience during your move, it’s imperative to make sure you’ve done your research and are going into your move with confidence. Looking for reputable and accredited movers who only provide our customers with the best service? Look no further than Able Moving & Storage.

If you’re looking at an out-of-state move coming up, it’s important to make sure that all aspects of your household are well organized and prepared before your moving day. Handling an out-of-state move is no small undertaking, and it involves a lot of planning to make sure it’s successful. However, as long as you’re organized and don’t leave things until the last minute, you’ll be set up for success.

Stay Prepared

Whether you’re hiring professional movers, getting a rental truck to move yourself, or just moving whatever you can fit in your car, an out of state move requires planning, organization, and proper preparation. If you’ve moved in the past, you’re aware of how imperative it is to make sure everything is grouped, organized, and labelled properly, but it’s even more imperative that these aspects are taken care of when tackling a long distance move. Check out our tips and tricks for a successful out of state move to make sure everything goes smoothly.

1. Pick a Long Distance Mover

Make sure the moving company you’re working with is well experienced with long distance moves! Stay away from scams and make sure you’re working with a company that practices open communication.

2. Make a Budget for Your Move

To make sure that you don’t spend too much on either your moving company or rental service, packing supplies, or any other aspect of your move, have a budget in place and stick to it. 

3. Take Stock of Your Things

Take into account everything in your home, what condition it’s in, and whether or not you want to keep it. 

4. Clear Out Unwanted Items

Once you’ve determined what you have, figure out what you want to get rid of. Organize eliminated items into ‘donate’, ‘sell’, ‘give away’, and ‘throw out’ sections.

5. Organize Your Remaining Items

Organize your remaining items after decluttering, and keep similar items together to make your packing process easy and simple. 

6. Get Packing!

Look for boxes for sale at either your moving company, rental truck headquarters, or ask around at businesses or to friends or family for any extra boxes that you can reuse. 

7. Take Things One Room at a Time

Now that you have your materials, start packing nonessential items room by room, and make sure to keep your items labelled and like with like. 

8. Update Your Information with Important Institutions

Update your address with any banks, credit card companies, or post offices to make sure all of your billing is up to date. 

9. Transfer Utilities and Bills

Make sure to transfer any utilities in your new home to your name, and take your name off of the utilities at your old location.

10. Get Yourself Ready

Once you’ve gotten your things squared away, it’s time to prepare yourself! Pack up anything you’re keeping with you and get ready for your journey! Good luck!

If you’re just moving a state over or moving from coast to coast, an out of state moving isn’t something that can be properly pulled off with just a few days or a week of planning. Start early and take the process a little at a time to make sure your moving day is smooth and straightforward. If you’ve done your planning, you’ll have an efficient and easy process to look forward to.

Find yourself having to move last minute? Whether you’re moving due to a company relocation, a new job opportunity, a change in housing situation or not wanting to renew your lease, or just not wanting to live where you’re living anymore, there are a bunch of reasons as to why you might find yourself having to move in less than a month. Having such a short amount of time to get yourself, your items, and anyone else in your household relocated can be a really stressful prospect, but we assure you it’s very doable. From moving company booking to organizing your items, we’ve got some great hacks to keep you organized and set up for a successful move, no matter the time frame.

Book Moving Companies or Rental ASAP
Especially during the height of moving season, a lot of moving services or rental truck companies can be booked solid well ahead of time. As soon as you find out where you’re headed, book your moving or rental services to make sure you can get your items where they need to go.

Declutter & Take an Inventory
It’s important not to make your move more complicated or cluttered than it has to be. Go through your home or room and clear out any items that you don’t use or need, and either donate, sell, give away, or throw them out! Don’t make yourself pack things you don’t need. For your remaining items, organize them and keep similar items together so they can be packed accordingly.

Get Your Materials
Now that you’ve narrowed down what you need, head to your moving service or rental truck service to purchase boxes or other packing materials. Alternatively, you can also utilize professional packing services. Short on cash? Ask around to local businesses or family or friends for boxes or materials you can reuse.

Take It Little By Little
When packing, you want to start with decorative or nonessential items first, and pack from there. Take it room by room, and keep everything labelled and organized.

No matter where you might find yourself relocating, any move can be stressful – especially when you’re in a time frame crunch. However, if you time things correctly, take a little at a time, and stay organized, you’ll be able to pull off any move in no time. Good luck and don’t forget that with these tips, you’ve set yourself up for success. Happy moving, and don’t forget to call Able Moving with any relocation service needs that you require.