10 Ways To Prep For An Interstate Relocation

Moving can be stressful even if you are moving from one side of town to the other. When it is a long distance move, it comes with it’s own unique challenges. Are you planning on relocating from one state to another? We’ve got you covered! Make your move an easier one with these 10 tips for interstate moving:

A Livermore Moving Company Offers Some Tips For Your Interstate Move

1. Start With A List

While most interstate moving companies make their own inventory list, it’s best to come up with your own as well. Make a list of “to do” items to keep you on track. Checking them off the list as you go will also give you a sense of satisfaction in seeing the progress you are making. Another great place to list is on boxes. Write a small list of items that are inside the box on the outside of the box and what room it will go in at the new house. 

2. Give Yourself An Allowance

Packing should be done way ahead of schedule, over the course of a couple weeks before the actual move if possible. Remember that the less time you have to pack your things the more stressful the act becomes. Plus, you can spend the extra time saying good-bye to friends and neighbors.

3. Throw Away The Clutter

Long distance moving can cost a lot if you’re bringing all your things. Now is the time to take stock of all your stuff and throw away, donate or sell the things you’re not using at the moment. Having the least amount of stuff possible packed up when your local Bay Area movers show up will help keep the costs down.

4. Do Some Spring Cleaning

You’ll want to leave a clean home behind so you can start anew. This is a great task to do while working on item #3 above. DeClutter while you clean the place up. Plus, you can gather all your belongings and make a list of what you need to bring.

5. Homeowner Insurance

Most local movers have their own valuation coverage, but it’s better if you have homeowner’s insurance that covers the interstate move.

6. Get The Right-Sized Boxes

A good Livermore moving company should provide you everything you need to pack up your things, including the proper packing boxes. If not, visit the nearest home improvement store and get moving kits, packing materials and durable boxes. A quick check on Craigslist may also turn up free or cheap moving boxes someone else needs to get rid of. 

7. Pack Properly

Your things must be able to survive a long distance move, and for that you’ll need proper packing skills. You can browse the web for useful information on how to pack things the right way. Don’t skimp on this task or you will get to your new house with broken items.

8. Sell Old, Large Appliances

It may be better to sell your old appliances and buying new ones when you get to your new home. You save up on moving costs and replace old items that could break down within the year.

9. Protect Your Furniture

Your residential movers should look over each furniture and ensure that there’s enough bubble wrap and padding to prevent scrapes and damage while the truck is en route to the destination. Fragile items such as glass, ancient ornaments and heirlooms should have their own transport crates to maximize safety.

10. Hire Reputable Movers

Don’t just hire the first moving company you see. Do your research and find out the company’s reputation online and from previous clients. You’ll want a smooth moving experience that’s on time and will get your things  to your new home in one piece.

Are You Ready to Get a Moving Quote?

Magic Moving & Storage is the best Bay Area local and long distance moving company. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. Call (877) 246-2442 or request a moving quote online TODAY!

How to move heavy furniture by myself?

The crazy busy period of moving house is all about completing one challenging task after another. This is a good time to remind you that some pre-move jobs are tougher and much more demanding than others, and as such, they will require your utmost attention.

One such challenging task is moving heavy furniture by yourself – that is, without professional assistance. It’s a potentially painful problem that hides a score of genuine risks for you, for your friends, for the furniture pieces you’re attempting to move around, and of course – for your property as well. If you want to learn how to move heavy furniture on your own – on carpet, on hardwood floors (without scratching the floor!), upstairs or downstairs, then these very tips for moving heavy furniture at home are exactly what you need.

So, what is the best way to move heavy furniture?

Equipment to move heavy furniture
Hopefully, by now you will know perfectly well how to pack your furniture for moving – how to develop an efficient furniture moving strategy, how to prepare your own furniture for moving, and how to protect the pieces through clever furniture packing tricks that work.

So far, so good. Once your super heavy household items are ready to be moved, here’s the equipment you will actually need to get the job done.

Furniture sliders. These smart tools to move heavy furniture will come in vary handy on your moving day. The pieces of durable plastic with a hard rubber surface will let you slide your big and heavy pieces effortlessly across hardwood floors, ceramic tiles, and even carpets. Just place a slider under each leg or corner of the furniture piece you’re about to move and you’ll be able to slide the heavy object easily and safely with minimum effort. In reality, all that furniture sliders do is reduce or almost eliminate the friction between your heavy furniture pieces and the floor, thus keeping things easier for you and safer for your property. You can purchase such sliders from your local home goods store or directly from a local moving company. If you can’t really afford them, you may try using Frisbees, pieces of thick cardboard, or durable moving blankets.
Moving straps. These lifting straps connect to your shoulders and excel at taking the main weight of the furniture piece off your back and transferring that weight to your much stronger muscle groups. In case you have previous experience with moving straps and know how to use them, you can rent or purchase them from your local movers.
A moving dolly. Moving dollies are movers’ best helpers, and that is no coincidence. Whether it’s a two-wheel hand truck or a four-wheel square platform, a dolly is an excellent way to move heavy furniture without sliders. The two major rules to follow when using a dolly to move heavy furniture easily is 1) to secure the furniture piece securely on the wheeled assistant through strings, straps or rope, and 2) to always have at least one friend to help you navigate safely your way our or in.

How to lift and move heavy furniture
When moving heavy furniture by yourself, it’s imperative that you are well familiar with the proper lifting techniques in order to avoid personal injuries of any sort. The principal points to consider when handling heavy furniture pieces are:

Believe it or not, the number one safety rule is to lift with your legs, not your back. While keeping your back straight, bend at the knees and use the unparalleled strength of your lower limbs to lift heavy and move heavy furniture;
Whenever possible, it’s always more preferable to push heavyweight furniture pieces than to pull them;
If you are forced to turn while holding and/or carrying heavy furniture at home, do so with your feet and not with your hips;
Always keep heavy household items close to your body and in relatively central position in relation to your body;
Always keep your eyes in front of you;
Never lift heavy furniture pieces above your head.
IMPORTANT: You are strongly advised to have at least one friend (preferably two) to help you move really heavy furniture pieces. Remember that that challenging task is no joke, and the risks of moving heavy furniture with one person are too many to count and even predict. In case you have no friends to count on at the moment, don’t hesitate to hire the pros for best results.

How to move heavy furniture on carpet
While some types of carpets will let you slide heavy furniture pieces to some extent, you shouldn’t rely on that to complete the task at hand. Large furniture with legs such as desks or tables cannot be slid on carpet on their own as the legs tend to dig into the fabric and resist any attempts to be pushed or pulled across the floor.

Your best bet? Use furniture sliders that are specially designed for carpeted floors. Lift each corner or leg of the furniture piece, place a slider underneath (the smooth edge of the slider should be pointing towards the floor) and push the heavy object in the desired direction from a lower section as opposed to from the top. Be sure to have a friend help you do it to prevent the furniture piece from tipping over while in motion.

How to move heavy furniture on hardwood floors
If you have rooms with hardwood floors, then learning how to move heavy furniture without scratching the floor is essential. The thing to remember here is that sliding large and heavyweight pieces of furniture along hardwood floors is not usually recommended because even sliders might leave marks on the floor.

Therefore, it’s best if you use a moving dolly with soft rubber wheels that are known to be floor-friendly. If you don’t have one, you can still use furniture sliders but opt for ones that are designed for hardwood floors. Also, to guarantee a problem-free furniture moving adventure, consider lifting slightly the furniture piece as you’re sliding it, if that’s even possible.

How to move heavy furniture upstairs or downstairs
When moving heavy furniture at home, stairs will surely prove to be the ultimate challenge for you. Oftentimes, the weight of your pieces is not the only thing to worry about – their shapes and sizes come suddenly into play as well.

What you can do when having to move heavy furniture upstairs or downstairs is to first reduce their size by removing any parts that can be taken apart safely and reduce their weight by emptying them (unless you’ve already done these two steps during the furniture packing process as you should have). Only then should you actually use a proven trick to move heavy furniture – to secure wooden planks underneath the furniture piece to serve as a loading/unloading platform, wrap the planks in moving blankets and then slide your furniture along the stairs on those sturdy planks with at least 3 other people to help you out.

Have in mind that that furniture moving technique can be dangerous, so if you’re not entirely sure how to do it safely, don’t do it all. Instead, call in professional furniture movers who have the experience, equipment and know-how to move heavy furniture quickly and safely.

Ohio operations manager steps up for customer during move

What defines a “Move Hero” in the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® world can be described several different ways, but at the end of the day, the simplest definition is someone who goes above and beyond to make a difference for our customers.

This can be something small or big, but regardless of what the action is, it’s moments or actions from our outstanding team members that stand out and show that we truly are the “Movers Who Care®”. For Cameron Gaines – an operations manager for a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location in Ohio – his actions during a recent move earned him the reputation of a “Move Hero” when he took it upon himself to provide personal protection for a customer.

“Our customer was going through a domestic abuse situation with her boyfriend, leading her to want out of the house,” said Gregg Higgins, the franchise manager. “You could tell that over the phone, she was scared to even book a move with us. On the day of her move she was visibly scared, so Cam stepped up and made sure she was safe and protected while the guys conducted the move.”

It was a simple but meaningful action from Gaines to provide this protection for the customer, and it was clear to everyone involved on the move that his actions helped bring peace-of-mind to the woman while she went through this extremely difficult process.

Gaines chose to do this on his own and without the request of anyone involved at the franchise, and typically keeps in touch with the customer service representatives at his locations to determine the type of moves they are about to experience so he can provide assistance.

“I was not asked to do this, but I have a great relationship with our CSR team, and they keep me in the loop on potentially sensitive moves at my request,” Gaines said. “It can turn into a sticky situation at any time, and I don’t want my team or the customer to be at risk, so that extra guy on the job to help keep an eye out while the team moves never hurts.”

Gaines kept it simple but effective while providing his protection to the customer throughout the move, sticking by her side, offering assistance as she moved and packed her belongings safely.

It’s a testament to the type of workers we hire at all of our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations across the country, and it shows how we have earned the reputation we have as a brand.

“It means everything to us as an organization,” said Clayton Huston, the business, development, and recruiting coordinator at multiple franchise locations in Ohio and Kentucky. “If we are putting our people first, our team will also put the same care and compassion into the customers. Compassion and empathy are vital for a healthy team, and not only do these character traits build internal relationships, but they establish new and meaningful customer relationships.  Cam takes his role and responsibilities as an operations manager seriously, and his actions and decisions support his conviction.”

For Gaines, this was just another day on the job, but his actions prompted the customer to reach out and leave a touching review, thanking him and the rest of the steam for helping her out.

“My situation was a bit precarious,” the customer said in a written review. “The men of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK did so beautifully, I felt like my friends were helping me, and I had never met these men before. They brought an extra man [to] help me feel safe while they loaded the truck. The transition to the new location went smoothly, and I would recommend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to anyone. Thanks for everything, guys.”

Gaines was glad to be of assistance, kept calm throughout the move, and tried his best to make sure the customer was happy.

“I was pretty calm throughout the ordeal, and the crew planned on me being there for extra support,” Gaines said. “[This showed] that we really are the ‘Movers Who Care’, and continue to show this by giving great customer service day in and day out. After the move, the customer hugged me and told me that she really appreciated what we did for her and her son.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

What are the problems facing early Help to Buy adopters?

It's been 5 years since the Help to Buy Equity Scheme became available, but what problems are on the horizon for those who signed up? The Help to Buy scheme has proved divisive ever since it was first introduced by David Cameron and George Osborne in 2013 as one of the Coalition’s flagship housing policies.
It exists in many different forms – from Shared Ownership to the Help to Buy equity loan and the Help to Buy ISA to Armed Forces Help to Buy – and has been slightly altered and boosted by funding in the years since it launched.

The Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme, however, closed in December 2016 as the number of commercial lenders offering 95% loan-to-value mortgage products rose and lessened the need for a specific initiative to help those looking to buy with small deposits. 

Supporters say the Help to Buy scheme has helped people own a home who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, but critics say the scheme in its various guises is ineffective and has actually helped to worsen the housing crisis by inflating demand dramatically while supply remains too low. This, in turn, has merely pushed house prices up further for those struggling to buy.

Something that is talked about much less, though, is the problems now faced by those who bought into the Help to Buy scheme in its early days, some five years ago now, and the situation they’re going through with regards to negative equity, mortgaging, selling and interest rates.

Slow house price growth leads to negative equity

While the Help to Buy scheme sells the dream of easy ownership, it doesn’t talk about the prospect of negative equity – which occurs when the total borrowing that is secured against a home is greater than its current market value.

However, research carried out by mortgage broker Private Finance at the end of last year found that some of the first users of the Help to Buy equity loan scheme now face repaying the finance lent to them while receiving no benefit from house price gains.  

The research, which was based on 51 local authorities with 100 or more Help to Buy equity loan completions in every year of the scheme’s existence, highlighted that certain areas have seen scant house price growth in the past five years. This means that homeowners face the prospect of repaying equity loans which are larger than their capital gains.

What’s more, from this year, the first users of the scheme will begin to incur interest on their equity loans, which might in turn encourage them to move up the property ladder.

When it comes to selling, Help to Buy borrowers are liable to repay 20% of the property value rather than the original loan – which makes house price growth all the more important.  

Regional differences play their part

Whether you are a Help to Buy winner or loser depends entirely on where you bought your home. As an example, according to Private Finance’s research, average house prices in Stockton-on-Tees in the North East only went up from £102,409 in April 2013 to £114,265 by the end of 2017, a rise of just 12%.

This house price growth is far less than the original average equity loan in 2013 of £26,679, a sum that would now be worth £29,767. Help to Buy homeowners in Stockton-on-Tees, then, would face repaying back a sum that is £17,911 more than the capital gains they’ve made on their home.

This shortfall is a frequent problem in northern locations where Help to Buy has been used extensively, in particular the North West, the North East and Yorkshire. The top 10 areas where the Help to Buy equity loan dwarfs capital gains also include County Durham, Rochdale, Wolverhampton, Chorley, Sunderland, Leeds and Stoke-on-Trent.

On the other hand, Greenwich in south-east London saw average prices rise from £221,852 to £357,710 between April 2013 and the end of 2017 – equivalent to a 61% rise. Even when applying the same rate of house price growth to the original average equity loan in the area - growing this from £27,082 to £43,666 - this still leaves the borrower with £92,192 in capital gains. In other words, the huge house price growth in Greenwich of £135,859 since April 2013 is comfortably outstripping the growth in the price of the repayment loan that needs to be paid upon selling.

The south of the country, as you might expect, has fared much better when it comes to high house price growth, with the ‘Help to Buy Class of 2013 winners’ found in locations such as Wokingham, Bristol, Dartford, Bedford, Colchester and Horsham.

In all these areas the average rate of house price growth has been 35% or higher (in most cases much, much higher), dwarfing the growth seen in the worst-performing local authorities.

When will interest start to be incurred?

The Help to Buy equity loan is interest-free for the first five years. After this, borrowers are charged a rate of 1.75%, with this rate slowly increasing year-on-year in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 1%. Interest payments are paid on top of mortgage repayments.

For the first users of the Help to Buy scheme, the five-year interest-free period is nearly coming to an end. The scheme started in April 2013, so the earliest adopters will start incurring interest on their equity loans in a few weeks.

Example of how the equity loan is repaid

If a Help to Buy borrower is selling their home, or the mortgage has been paid off, they must repay the equity loan (the money they borrowed from the government) and a share of any increase in the value of the property.

Here’s how it would work on a property purchased for £200,000 and sold for £250,000.
Rise in value – 25%
Equity loan repayment - £50,000 (£40,000 plus 25% profit)
Mortgage - £150,000 (minus capital repayments)
Share of home – at least £50,000.

Here, the remaining £50,000 (or more) could be used as a deposit on a home further up the ladder. The amount paid back depends on the market value of the home at the time, and part or all of the loan can be paid back whenever (however, the minimum part payment accepted is 50% of the total equity amount, which can’t be paid in smaller increments). What is owed will also depend on how much of the mortgage has been paid off.

Selling a Help to Buy home

The gains made from this will largely depend on where a Help to Buy borrower happens to reside. If they live in the south of England, there is a good chance that significant gains will be made even once the repayment loan has been factored in. Homeowners in the north, however, are at far greater risk of slipping into negative equity, hindered by slow or non-existent house price growth.

What’s more, there are a limited number of remortgaging options on offer from providers for Help to Buy owners reaching the end of their five-year interest-free period. In other words, those looking to remortgage to secure a more favourable deal could be thwarted by a severe lack of choice.  

Critics will say negative equity was an inevitable consequence of the Help to Buy scheme, but supporters will point to those who have benefitted from large capital gains as a sign that Help to Buy doesn’t merely help people on the ladder for the first time, it also helps them move up it.

As the first adopters of the Help to Buy scheme are encouraged to move on before they start incurring interest on their loan, the problems surrounding the scheme may now start to receive more widespread coverage. 
 

5 Tiny House-Friendly Cities in America

Ready to build your dream tiny house? You’ll need to find a place to park it first. Unfortunately, many U.S. cities, counties and states have strict zoning regulations and building codes in residential areas. In fact, it’s rare to find a residential neighborhood that is zoned for the construction of a house less than 1,000 square feet. This can make it hard to locate a tiny house-friendly city that also happens to be a great place to live.

For the most part, tiny house owners have two options when it comes to parking their 400 square foot (or less) abodes. For one, they can choose to park their tiny house on a friend or family member’s lot. Zoning regulations may require that these accessory dwelling units (ADU) be secondary to a primary home – and that they be parked behind the house (away from the street). Another option for those who wish to be tiny house owners is to buy a lot in an official tiny house community. These lots usually cost somewhere around $60,000 and are located in various cities around the country. For a quick look at the best places to buy or build a tiny house, check out these 5 tiny house-friendly cities below.

Brevard, NC

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brevard offers residents a drop dead gorgeous setting for parking their tiny houses. Downtown Brevard is a hot spot for families and retirees due to its annual festivals and events, as well as its scenic surroundings. The city is a short distance from a number of beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

According to the Tiny House Initiative for Brevard, the North Carolina city classifies a tiny house as a secondary dwelling that is smaller than 800 square feet. This means the tiny house must be parked on the same property as the owner’s primary residence. The document also states that Brevard’s City Zoning and North Carolina Building Codes require that all tiny homes be built on a solid foundation, as opposed to being built on wheels. For more information on building a tiny house in Brevard, check here.

Green Bridge Farm in Guyton, GA

Guyton, Georgia is home to one of the most popular and ecologically-friendly tiny house communities in the country. This community, known as Green Bridge Farm, offers residents 25 wooded acres in Effingham County, Georgia – all centered around an organic farm. According to Mother Earth News, the community’s farm features “organic fruit trees and a large market garden.”

According to Green Bridge Farm’s website, lots in the community sell for $50,000 each. The setting is a popular choice for tiny house owners looking for a simpler way of life. According to the latest blog post from Green Bridge Farm, the community recently won the official approval for tiny houses to be used as permanent residences on the farm. Like many tiny house communities, any tiny home built on Green Bridge Farm must be secured to the ground on solid foundation.

Spur, TX

Declaring itself “the nation’s first tiny house-friendly town,” Spur has quickly become a popular choice among those looking to go tiny. Located outside Lubbock, the town of Spur is small (roughly 1,000 people) and is a tight-knit community. The city offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, with walking trails, sports venues, golf courses, and parks for residents.

In order to attract more residents, Spur became the first town in America to allow people to build tiny homes on solid foundation (not wheels) with very little restrictions or guidelines. According to SpurFreedom, over 70 lots were sold to people planning to bring or build a tiny house to the Texas town. However, in 2016, Spur’s town council passed an ordinance that required tiny house designs to be submitted for approval before being built, as reported by inhabitat.com.

Fresno, CA

In addition to being exceptionally tiny house-friendly, Fresno is one of the most populous cities in California. Located in California’s Central Valley, the City of Fresno offers a strong economy, vibrant arts scene and affordable neighborhoods. It is also surrounded by a number of farms – all producing many of our country’s organic staples.

In 2016, Fresno, California became the first city in the country to approve tiny houses on wheels as backyard cottages in residential neighborhoods. While some California towns already allowed tiny houses on wheels in residential areas, zoning regulations required that these homes be used as “caregiver cottages.” Therefore, Fresno was the first city to allow tiny homes on wheels to be used as secondary dwelling units without requiring them to also be “caregiver cottages.” For more information on tiny houses in Fresno, check here.

River View at Cleora in Salida, CO

Those looking for a tiny house community should consider moving to Salida, Colorado. Just last year, the mountain town approved a plan to build 200 tiny houses in a community known as “River View at Cleora.” This planned development is set to become the country’s largest tiny home community. In addition to these groundbreaking developments, Salida happens to be a fantastic place to live as well. The city offers some of the best outdoor activities in the nation, top eats and a vibrant arts scene.

According to Sprout Tiny Home, the planned development also offers a community building with a kitchen, exercise facility, restaurant and 96 storage units. Plans for walking trails and parks are also in the works. For more information on purchasing a tiny home in this community, check here.

Ready to move to a tiny house?

For more details on state regulations and tiny homes, check out the American Tiny House Association’s informative website.

Before downsizing to a tiny house, make sure you rent a storage unit first. To locate self-storage facilities in your area, use Moving.com’s ‘Find Storage Now‘ tool. All you have to do is type in the zip code or your city and state, and click the ‘find storage’ button. Moving.com will pull quotes from the closest self storage unit facilities near your new tiny house, so that you can compare costs and offerings. Best of luck and happy moving!

Where to Buy a Tiny House on Wheels

Ready to go tiny? You’re not alone. Thousands of Americans are choosing to embrace a less materialistic lifestyle by purchasing a tiny house on wheels. While small, these tiny houses pack plenty of punch for 400 square feet of space. They also provide an affordable path to homeownership and the convenience of mobility. If you’re interested in purchasing a pre-owned tiny house or a new build, check out these six online marketplaces for finding your dream tiny house on wheels.

Amazon

Believe it or not, you can purchase a prefabricated tiny house on Amazon. These tiny house kits typically come with all materials (with the exception of the roof and foundation) including floor and ceiling boards, wall, doors, windows, hardware and assembly instructions. If you do decide to order yourself a prefab tiny house, just be sure to do your homework and read all reviews first. You’ll also want to enlist help either from professionals or friends with tiny house experience to assist with assembling the tiny house. For more information, check here.

Realtor.com

Of course, you can always check Realtor.com’s online listings for pre-owned tiny houses in your area. The real estate listings website is one of the best ways to find properties for sale and rent. Realtor.com also makes it easy to connect with the best Realtors and listing agents in your area. For more information on Realtor.com, check here.

Sprout Tiny Homes

Looking to move to Colorado? You could join one of the Sprout Tiny Homes communities in Salida, CO or Walsenburg, CO. These planned communities come outfitted with Sprout Tiny Homes, a leading designer and manufacturer of tiny houses. According to Sprout Tiny Homes, all tiny houses are “built with structural insulated panels (SIP’s) resulting in stronger, greener and straighter homes that are highly energy efficient and feature chemical free interiors to encourage healthy living lifestyles.” If you’re interested in learning more about Sprout Tiny Homes, you can read more about Sprout Communities here.

Tiny House Listings

For the most recent and up-to-date listings, check TinyHouseListings.com. The online marketplace allows sellers to list their own tiny homes for sale with photos and basic information about the home. Potential buyers can search for tiny houses for sale and rent by location. The website also allows potential buyers to contact the person listing the tiny house directly. For more information about Tiny House Listings, check here.

Tiny House Marketplace

Tiny Home Builders’ Tiny House Marketplace is one of the most well-known online marketplaces for buying and selling pre-owned or new tiny houses. The marketplace includes thousands of listings all over the country. Tiny house listings include photos, location, home features and basic information. Depending on the square footage and finishes, these tiny house listings tend to run between $25,000 and $100,000. For more information on Tiny House Marketplace, check here.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Whether you’re looking to purchase an existing tiny house on wheels or design your own, consider looking at Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. The tiny house builder is the largest manufacturer of Tiny House RVs in the U.S. and offers finished Tumbleweed tiny houses in multiple models and floor plans. Currently, Tumbleweed offers four models: Elm, Cypress, Farallon and Roanoke. Most tiny houses offered by Tumbleweed are more than 200 square feet and capable of sleeping up to four people. For more information on Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, check here.

Want to build your own tiny house instead?

Purchasing a pre-owned tiny house on wheels can come with its disadvantages. For one, you won’t get to design or customize the tiny house to meet your needs and aesthetic. You’ll also have to take whatever is available, and if inventory is low, that could mean making serious compromises. Finally, you may have to transport your tiny house from its old location to your current city, which could cost thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, you have the option to build your own brand new tiny house instead of purchasing a pre-owned one. Here are a few ways to accomplish this:

• Hire professionals to build it for you – If you’re looking for a low maintenance, low stress way to go about building your tiny house, I recommend hiring professionals for the job. While a custom-built tiny house certainly comes with a high price tag, tiny home owners will tell you that it’s well-worth the cost. If you decide to go this route, you’ll need to contact a local contractor who specializes in constructing tiny houses. You can find a tiny house builder in your area, by checking Tiny House Listings. An experienced tiny house contractor should also be able to help you obtain the correct permits, follow city zoning regulations and share their knowledge of the tiny house market.
• Build it yourself – The best way to save money when purchasing a tiny house is by building it yourself. If you’re prepared to roll up those sleeves and get to work, you’ll need to find friends and family to help out – preferably those with construction or handyman experience. If you can’t find friends to help, you’ll need to hire professionals to help with labor. You’ll also have to source all tiny house materials yourself. However, if you’re able and willing to do this, you are sure to save some serious money. You’ll also be involved at every level of the design and construction process. Lacking the experience? You can opt to purchase a tiny house kit online, complete with blueprints, materials and instructions for building a tiny house on wheels.

Ready to move to a tiny house?

Before downsizing to a tiny house, you may need to rent a storage unit first. To locate self-storage facilities in your area, use Moving.com’s ‘Find Storage Now‘ tool. All you have to do is type in the zip code or your city and state, and click the ‘find storage’ button. Moving.com will pull quotes from the closest self storage unit facilities near your new tiny house, so that you can compare costs and offerings.

Ready to move? To find the best moving company to handle the job, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!

Stay Organized During your Move

When you’re getting ready to move, having a plan of action will help you keep your sanity. There are a ton of things that you’ll need to keep in mind from new addresses to items you need to move. We’ve been involved in the moving industry for years now, and here’s a few tips we’ve got to stay organized during your move.

Color Code your Boxes
Use colored markers or tape and designate one color for each room. This will allow you to easily keep all your stuff together so you don’t end up with the toaster in the bathroom or your kids stuffed animals in the basement.

Keep an Inventory List Handy

Make sure that you know what all you’re moving, and print out a list of your inventory so you have it handy. This will be extremely useful to keep track of all your boxes, and ensure that everything makes it to the final destination.

Keep Phone Numbers and Addresses Close

Be sure to save all the important numbers of the folks that will be helping you move. Provide them all with the address on paper so that they have a tangible reference during the move. Small map print outs can also come in very handy from Google or Mapquest.

Find out more about all of our moving resources by delving deeper into our website. If you need help with your move, we can put you in contact with several local movers and provide you with quotes from each. Stay organized, and your move will go quickly and easily.