Family, Home Life, Safety

7 Reasons to Hire a Moving Company

If moving feels like an overwhelming task, hiring a professional moving company is the way to go. Here are seven reasons to hire movers.

1. Efficiency

Packing a dorm room can be pretty simple, but if you have a home or apartment, the number of things to bubble wrap and box increase exponentially. Let professionals pack. They can get you from start to finish in one day.

2. Organization

Moving companies are masters of organization. When asking friends and family to help pack, there are always unlabeled boxes and mismatched items thrown together. When working with professionals, everything will be in its place and clearly labeled.

3. Safety

Lifting bulky or heavy objects can be dangerous without adequate help or expertise. A toaster and microwave are easy enough, but it is well worth hiring help to get the fridge, oven, washer, and dryer moved down and up those stairs.

4. Protecting your investment

Many items it are not worth the risk of moving without proper manpower and equipment. If you are lucky, a grand piano may only take a dolly, several people, and creative tilting to get through doors. A grandfather clock’s complicated mechanisms must be disassembled, carefully packed, and reassembled while wearing special gloves.

5. Insurance

Moving companies are required to offer two kinds of insurance for out of state moves. “Released Value Protection” will cover your property at 60 cents per pound and is included in the quote. Of course, anything worth taking with you costs more than 60 cents per pound, so consider “full-value protection.” This will cover your belongings up to their full value at a cost of approximately one percent of that value. You can learn more information at Premiere Van Lines.

6. Trucks

Unless you have a special license, it may not be possible to drive a truck large enough to fit all of your belongings in one go. Better to let long distance movers drive, worry about special licensing, and find routes in areas you are unfamiliar with.

7. Money

Most people who move without professional help do so to save money. Surprisingly, this is not always the case. Most of us don’t have moving equipment like dollies, and large ramps just laying around. In order to make the move in one trip, you would need to rent a truck, and if you have enough stuff, you may need a truck that requires a special license. Throw in packing supplies and the cost keeps adding up. When deciding which option is most cost effective, also factor in the additional stress, time, and increased risks of damages.

Don’t let moving make you crazy. Hire professionals and get it done efficiently and painlessly.

Family, Home Life, Personal Finance

5 Reasons Why Condo Real Estate is Sought After

Condo real estate is everywhere, it seems like. There are high rises being built throughout downtown Toronto. Various reasons explain why people are leaving the suburbs with single-family homes and opting for condos in the city.

#1: Beautiful View
Many condo buildings are two, three, and even 20 floors high. As you can imagine, this would provide quite the view of Toronto. You might be able to see the CN Tower, the Gooderham Building, and much more from your living room or bedroom window. You can say good night to the skyline every night, providing a view that not everyone gets to say that they have.

#2: Great Layout
Many lofts are found in the downtown area. It’s a chance to go with a layout that is more conducive to the way you live your life. If you don’t like a split floor plan or having a lot of walls up, lofts provide you with a spacious design.

Various sizes of condos are on the market. You can find ones with gourmet kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, walk-in closets, and much more. It’s all about writing out a list of wants and working with a realtor to find what it is that you want.

#3: Countless Amenities
In addition to the amenities that you have inside your condo, there will also be amenities that are offered by the building itself. This can include covered parking, swimming pools, fitness centers, business rooms, and much more. It allows you to have access to all of the shared spaces as a resident. Depending on the amenities, you might save money by not having to go and get a gym membership or rent a business space when you need to hold a meeting periodically.

#4: Valuable Investment
Condos for sale in Toronto have proven to be a valuable investment. They hold their value for a significant amount of time, allowing you to make your money back when you do choose to sell. Condos are available across a number of different buildings, allowing you to find one that is within your budget. From there, you can choose to live in the condo or rent it out to someone.

#5: Incredible Walkability
Walkability has become a highly desirable feature in homes. By choosing condos for sale in Toronto, you have the ability to walk to various buildings for work, countless restaurants, and a wide array of attractions. With public transportation available, you can also choose to get further without having to rely on a private car. It reduces costs as well as your carbon footprint.

As far as where you can walk, it depends on where your condo is located. However, you will be able to walk in every direction. If work is downtown as well, it provides a significant amount of convenience.

Knowing all of the reasons to explore Toronto condo real estate is worth it. You might find the home of your dreams is actually a loft instead of a single-family home. It’s just a matter of finding the right one for you and your budget. There are resources available at Reza Afshar Real Estate if you want more information.

Family, Safety

How to Prepare Your Kids for Their First Overnight Summer camp

If you are like most parents with school-age children, you have been sending your kids to day camps for several summers in a row. These day camps provide your kids with enrichment and socialization throughout the long dog days of summer, and they give parents a much-needed break of several hours or more during the day. You may now be preparing to send your kids to their first overnight summer camp, and you may be wondering how you can prepare them fully for this experience.

Make a Camping List
Whether your child will be camping outdoors in a tent or in a comfortable cabin, you will need to prepare a camping list of everything that he or she will need. The camp counsellor should provide you with a list that you can use as a starting point. However, think about other things, such as a comfort feature your child needs to sleep at night, a flashlight, medication, a cell phone charger and more.

Find a Camping Buddy
Many summer camps have fun adventure sports, summer water sports and other attractions and activities that your child may love. However, nobody wants to be alone at camp. Camping is much more fun when you go with a friend or a group of friends. Consider asking a few of your child’s friends if they are interested in camping on the selected dates. This can dramatically alter and improve your child’s summer camp experience.

Get Your Kids Excited
Some overnight camps may last for a week or longer. If you are nervous about being away from your child for that long, there is a good chance that your child may be just as anxious. Talk about all of the fun adventure sports and activities that your child will get to participate in at camp. When you arrive at camp, give your child ample time to meet the camp counsellor and ensure that he or she is immersed in activities before you leave. Rest assured that experienced counselors know how to keep kids busy and engaged. You may, however, want to give your child a charged cell phone so that he or she can communicate with you through texts and calls as needed.

Sending your kids to overnight camp can be a rite of passage for the kids, and it can give you a wonderful break. During this time, you can take a couple’s vacation or simply enjoy quiet evenings at home without the kids. As soon as you select a camp to send your kids to, you can begin following these steps to prepare your kids for this incredible experience. More valuable information can be found on the Camp White Pine website.

Family, Home Life, Safety

How Automation is Changing the Home Security Industry

The latest generation of automated home security systems are providing home and property owners with access to sophisticated features and a level of convenience that would have been unheard of just a few years ago. From being able to configure home alarm systems remotely to home monitoring systems that allow households to access real-time surveillance and imaging though a smartphone or other mobile device, systems that feature a superior level of automation and integration are able to provide a wide range of home security solutions that no household or property owner can afford to overlook.

Remote Operation and System Configuration

Access to conventional home security systems typically required an operator to be on-site in order to make use of a console or terminal. Remote home monitoring systems make it far easier to adjust settings, maintain observation or address any warnings or alerts that the system may produce. The latest systems provide access to home security solutions that are able to afford homeowners with a more convenient way to monitor their environment and ensure that their belongings, property, and household are able to be kept safe and secure. Home alarm systems that are designed to be accessed and operated remotely are ideal for those who are seeking a way to keep an eye on their property and its surroundings whenever they are away from home.

Mobile Applications Provide Superior Versatility

Use of a mobile app to operate a home security system offers a wide range of potential benefits. Operating home alarm systems from a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device can allow used to arm the system, adjust settings, dismiss false alerts and take prompt action to address a possible security threat. The limitations of more conventional home monitoring systems can lead to no end of problems, issues and concerns that households would be wise to avoid. Home security systems that are designed to be accessed through use of a mobile app offer a more versatile and flexible way to protect against concerns like theft, vandalism and even home intrusion.

Smart-homes and Integrated Security Systems

Sophisticated home security systems are rarely the only resource that households may be using in order to monitor and control their surroundings. Equipment options, such as lighting and climate control systems that are designed to be operated remotely or respond to voice prompts are becoming increasingly popular due to their growing level of sophistication and reduce costs of purchase and installation. Home security resources that are designed to be integrated into systems designed to operate a wide range of fixtures and amenities have a lot to offer homeowners. Integrated home security and home monitoring systems can be a valuable asset for those seeking to create a smart-home.