Author: Dena driver

Moving day is almost here. How prepared do you feel right now? Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but most renters would probably agree that the physical part of moving can add tons of stress. Mistakes are bound to happen during the process – life is just funny that way.

Hopefully, these situations are minor mistakes and can easily work themselves out in the end. It (generally) always does. Making common mistakes can hinder your moving process. The best thing you can do is be prepared and avoid common mistakes like these:

 

1. Hiring Movers Without Vetting Them

   Finding the cheapest movers won’t help much if they’re not insured. There are hundreds if not thousands of local movers but to find the professionals, you need to research and vet them first. Proper due diligence is necessary when you’re entrusting a team of apartment moverswith your belongings.

   Check referrals, review websites, and shop around for moving quotes. If you go with the first moving company you see with a Google ad or hire the cheapest company without fully researching them, you could be taking a big risk with your most valuable possessions. An insured and certified mover (long distance if it applies to you) with a reputable reputation is a must.

 

2. Neglecting to Purge Before Packing

   Boxes, packing supplies, and a moving truck all cost some serious dough. Before you pack up your life, purge any unused, unwanted, and unnecessary items you’ve been keeping around. Rule of thumb: If you haven’t used something within the past year, just toss it. Only keep what you use, unless it has sentimental value.

   If not, you’ll be shelling out a lot of money on your move for more boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and a larger truck. If you don’t want it, purge it. You don’t necessarily have to throw it out – donate it if it still has some years left to make someone else happy!

 

3. Procrastinating on Packing

   Moving requires weeks of planning. It doesn’t just happen overnight. Start early with your packing plan and begin with those items you don’t need right now (i.e. trinkets, holiday décor, fancy dishes, stemware, etc.).

   You’re basically starting with the items you won’t miss. Then, as you approach moving day, pack up the rest of your home. Don’t procrastinate! If you do, you may be in for a rude awakening of long nights and numerous trips to and from the store for packing supplies.

 

4. No Moving Checklist

   Oops. A moving checklist was never made. How are you going to survive? A moving checklist is designed to help renters keep tabs on what you’ve accomplished and what you need to do next in the moving process.

   The unmarked boxes are your action items. Prepare a moving checklist now so you don’t fall behind and lose your head. When moving day comes, you’ll be happy to have made and completed your moving checklist.

 

5. Forgetting to Purchase Renter’s Insurance

   You don’t have renter’s insurance? You should get on that like right now. Many apartment communities require their residents to have renter’s insurance by the day they move in. Don’t delay your move because you forgot to purchase a policy for your apartment. It’s quite affordable and covers the cost of your personal property, liability coverage, and temporary housing when/if you file a claim.

 

6. Not Putting Together a First-Night Box

   Unpacking your moving boxes takes time. You could be spending upwards of a couple of weeks, even with consistent unpacking. Your first-night boxshould contain the essentials that’ll get you through the first night at your new apartment.

   Forgetting to pack a first night box might entail an unnecessary run to the store for supplies that you already have (hidden in boxes somewhere), such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand soap.

 

7. Incorrectly Packing Your Boxes

   Uh-oh. Say it isn’t so. You didn’t just place your dinnerware at the bottom of the box, and your prized book collection on top, did you?

   Packing a boxtakes practice and skill, especially when trying to maximize space within the box. Breakables, such as glassware and ceramics, should be placed comfortably within a box and wrapped in bubble wrap. Never force anything into a box as it could break during transport.

   You don’t want to place items from different rooms into a box. Keep things consistent and organize your boxes by room.

 

8. Not Cleaning Prior to Moving Out

   Cleaning the old apartment is an essential part of the move-out process. If you don’t, money may be deducted from your security deposit to cover the expenses of a cleaning service. Make sure you clean the appliances, bathrooms, floors, ceiling fans, and sweep the balcony. Better yet, create a cleaning checklist!

   When you move out, you’re expected to leave the apartment in the same condition as you found it. Clean the apartmentbefore turning over your keys for good!

 

9. Forgetting About Utilities

   It’s important to remember to schedule your utilitiesto turn off on the day you move out. In addition, you’ll also need to turn on your new home’s electricity and gas. Not doing so may mean living by candlelight at night and running a cold shower. That, my friend, would not be fun!

 

10. Not Taking Measurements of the New Place

    Instead of winging it and praying your sectional will fit in the new living room, use a tape measure to see if it will actually fit inside the apartment. If it doesn’t, you may need time to sell or donate the furniture.

    When you do a walk-through, bring a tape measure with you and take pictures. It’ll help you determine what you can keep and what to say “buh-bye” to.

The stress of moving day can overwhelm a person. It’s completely understandable. Don’t let these easily avoidable moving mistakes delay your move. Follow the tips so you can load up and hit the road ASAP.

 

Once in a generation, a building comes along that changes our perspective. A building that creates bold new horizons, promises new beginnings, and sets standards that others can only hope to follow. Rarer still is the opportunity to call this building home. This is The Brooklyn Tower.

Go to the site to find out all the details! The Brooklyn Tower

I am looking forward to a visit to the new Spa on Governors island. See the below link to book a visit.

“Wellness awaits at QC NY, a new destination day spa located on Governors Island. Just minutes from downtown Manhattan, find yourself transported to an enchanting oasis featuring unprecedented and iconic views of the city skyline. Pamper yourself with a tailored massage or wander freely through over twenty wellness spa experiences. Here, you will find multiple saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas, outdoor gardens, and water therapies all designed to relax the body and soul.”

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Which neighborhoods will offer the most value in 2022 and why? We asked real estate professionals at Brown Harris Stevens. Here’s what they told us:

Ban Leow, BHS real estate agent:

Ocean Hill, East New York and Brownsville offer some bargains. There are beautiful properties in Cypress Hills, such as on Highland Boulevard.

Steven Segretta, BHS real estate agent: 

If lower price per square foot is your thing, maybe you value Crown Heights, Bed Stuy, Kensington or Flatbush. If it’s breadth of amenities, proximity to parks and classic brownstones that are your thing, then maybe you value Park Slope, Fort Greene or Brooklyn Heights.

Joanna Mayfield Marks, BHS real estate agent:

I love Prospect Lefferts Gardens for value — you can get a two- or three-story landmarked home close to Prospect Park around $1.6 million to $2 million.

Columbia Street Waterfront is often overlooked but has a wonderful waterfront, adorable boutiques, restaurants and shops and connects by the Brooklyn Greenway to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Bill Sheppard, BHS real estate agent:

Buyers willing to look deeper into Brooklyn will find the best values in the coming year. Neighborhoods like Flatbush, Kensington, Bed Stuy and Bay Ridge have lovely homes and more affordable prices than traditional Brownstone Brooklyn.

Dena Driver, BHS real estate agent:

Kensington, Sunset Park and Clinton Hill — especially on the Bed Stuy border — will offer solid value in 2022, because these areas have good housing stock and the parks, restaurants and shops buyers want in their neighborhoods too. more “Brooklyn Neighborhoods With the Most Value, According to Real Estate Insiders” …

The Brooklyn apartment market was red hot in 2021. “It reached new records for both sales and prices,” said Gregory Heym, Brown Harris Steven’s chief economist. “And demand for townhouses was also very strong, as those prices also hit a new high.”

For 2022, while competition for neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn expects to reach record highs, some factors remain unpredictable.

Here is an overview of the market’s outlook for 2022, with insights from top Brown Harris Stevens agents and brokers specializing in Brooklyn real estate.

Ban Leow, BHS real estate agent:

Current market forecast, simply put, is unpredictable, and also very segmented in different neighborhoods. While Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens are experiencing a robust buying spree, other neighborhoods are experiencing stagnant inventories with tons of window shoppers. We’ve been on a Covid-19 pricing roller coaster since 2020, and with a new variant detected, the “yo-yo” pricing goes into effect. Sellers demand high listing prices and the buyers are still in the “pandemic” low-ball mode. I believe the market will gain strength again in mid-2022 if the Omicron variant is somewhat contained.

Steven Segretta, BHS real estate agent: 

I see active buying interest across all sectors of the Brooklyn market driven by first-time homebuyers and those migrating into Brooklyn from other areas. Given the strength of the market last year and the acceleration this year, I expect demand to outpace supply in 2022 with continued upward pressure on prices. Macro factors like the economy, inflation, rates and the pandemic may obviously change the dynamic, but without dramatic shocks to the system, I think we see continued momentum in the Brooklyn real estate market. more “Real Estate Insiders Assess the 2022 Brooklyn Market” …

My recent post have been talking to the future of roof Decks. Enjoy this read from the Brownstoner about this very subject, with a quote from yours truly.  Dena

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Stay in touch with me for this soon to market apt at 533 Clinton Street. Third floor with Roof Deck.

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Discover international showstoppers like the Winter Cathedral tunnel, Fire Garden, and Sea of Light, as well as new works by local artists, including a series of poems by celebrated author Jacqueline Woodson written in light.

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