Preparing Your Boat for Self Storage

It is a sad day when we have to put our favorite toys into a self storage unit, but luckily finding a climate controlled self storage unit is the easiest part of storing your boat. After you know where you are going to put the boat, it is an uphill battle to get the boat prepared to sit in storage. It is imperative to do all of the following steps under "boat storage tips" to make sure that your boat does not suffer while sitting in self storage. This will ensure the longevity of your boat, so that it can bring you many more seasons of fun. 

Caution: Before you do anything to your boat, make sure to check your owner's manual and manufacturer's website. Haul-out can cause damage to boat, and it is good to make sure you will not be breaking your warranty in anyway by moving the boat yourself to self-storage.  

Prepping for Boat Storage Tips 

1) Jack your Boat up on the Way to and in Self Storage 

Before you take your boat out of the water, you will need to purchase a proper boat support system. Not doing so can compromise the integrity of the boat. If you do not support the boat it can lead to the hull becoming distorted and compromised which will lead to costly repairs. No matter which boat support system you opt in for, make sure that the engines, keel and bulkhead are all properly supported to ensure a safe move to the self storage.  

2) Take Her Out on More Time (Our Favorite Boat Storage Tip) 

Before you store the boat, it is a good idea for maintenance ( and a little bit of fun) to take your boat out one last time. This gives you a chance to thoroughly inspect the boat, and see what needs to be repaired before you put the boat into self storage. Boat repair shops are always extra busy during spring due to lots of folks getting repairs to get their boat sea worthy, you can avoid the crowds at the repair shop if you do the repairs in the off season. You also may be able to strike a deal in the boat repair shops off season due to it be slower.  

3) Clean the Boat Up 

Once the boat is hauled out, you will need remove the bilge drain plug right away, and from there you will need to clean the boat inside and out. Thoroughly scrub the hull and deck to remove any barnacles, slime, gunk, mystery ooze and grime. Make sure to open the seacocks to let all of the water drain out. Do not forget to clear out the lockers, refrigerators and any other items that can grow mildew while the boat is in self storage. 

4) Allot Yourself Plenty of Time to Prepare Your Boat to Self Storage 

Making sure the boat is thoroughly drained and dried out can be a time consuming process. Putting a damp boat into a self-storage unit is detrimental to the health of the boat. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to drain and dry off the boat completely.  

5) Fill Her Up 

Besides the fact gas prices seem to ceaselessly go up, filling up your gas tank and adding a gas tank stabilizer reduces condensation. Make sure to run your engine for 10-15 minutes to make sure the gas stabilizer reaches the engine and fuel. 

6) More Maintenance 

Any maintenance you need to do, now is the time to do it for the health of your engine. It is also a good idea to change your engine oil, replace filters and any other regular maintenance at this time.  Make sure to inspect all hoses, clamps and belts. Clean your strainer. Leave your thru-hulls open. 

7) Flush the System 

You will need to flush the coolant system with just water and add a little bit of anti-freeze. Make sure to not mix ethylene-glycol and propylene-glycol anti-freeze, this can cause problems because the chemicals have very different properties.  

You will also want to flush your water tank and other plumbing with a non-toxic anti-freeze. All of your plumbing should be flush: fish wells, A/C pumps, ice makers, etc. You should also use non-toxic anti freeze to flush out the through the y-valve, marcerator, discharge hose and intake lines. 

8) Remove all Electronics 

Any electronics should be taken out of the boat and stored in a dry, room temperature area. Remove any batteries and lightly clean the terminals to avoid corrosion in the future. Re-charge batteries if applicable. 

9) Consider taking the Boat to a Mechanic to Prep the Engines for Winterization 

To really make sure your boat is all the way prepared, it can be a good idea to take it to a boat mechanic. This way you can know your engine will be in top notch condition when you take it out of self-storage and into the water next warm season. 

 

Why I Like PODS Better Than U-Haul

When moving there are a few choices the mover can go with to get to their new destination. The first is you can have everything shipped for you. Having everything shipped is a great way to go if you can afford it and if there is going to be someone at the final destination to receive it. Shipping is a great option for some but not everyone.

The second is to use a PODS storage unit. PODS can be rented for a reasonable price and come in different sizes. If you have a smaller house or apartment that you are moving from and do not have a lot of possessions the 8x7x7 usually works well. For someone or a family that has more items there are larger sizes. Speaking with a representative will help you in deciding what size you will need. When you speak with the representative you will also be giving the date you would like the POD dropped off and picked up Be sure to ask if these dates are available and that they are able to deliver to your destination. Most PODS can be delivered pretty much anywhere but be sure to check to be safe.

Although U-Haul now has a program called U-Box I still prefer the PODS for the following reasons. With U-Haul you do not have the selection in the sizes of boxes you would like. Yes, you can get multiple boxes but I want everything together. Of course, this is personal preference. The less things are scattered in different boxes the better. There are less chances of losing things if all of the items are together in one POD.

Because the U-Haul boxes are smaller than the POD if you have large furniture, it doesn't fit. Having a large sofa (8 FT.) made it impossible to even entertain the idea of renting a box. If you have smaller furniture then the boxes are fine. Those who are in college and moving to or from a dorm love the boxes and the price. If you are moving from a good size home with a family then the POD is definitely needed.

Although the price of the PODS are a bit more expensive it is worth it. Renting a box and not being able to fit the items in it is worthless. The convenience factor with the PODS is what sold us. We needed something bigger that was still affordable for us. Sure, having everything shipped would be the ideal solution if the cost wasn't so high. But, cost is a factor in this economy and we all need to save money at some point. Moving from one destination to another can be very expensive. Be sure to call the different companies and get the price quotes.

PODS have proven to be a great way to be able to store your personal goods and to have them transported. I like PODS better than U-Haul because larger things can be stored. PODS are slightly more expensive but the convenience and room is worth the price any day of the week.

Tip: You can compare all portable moving containers and download a new PODS promo code to save 5% off moving and storage costs.

Items to NOT Take with You on a Move

Moving gives you the unique opportunity to sort through needed and unneeded items. It is a great chance to

A Garage Sale is a Great Way to Get Rid of Excess Stuff

throw away, give away or sell items that you don't need. We recommend at least throwing away one trash bag full of stuff as an exercise to clear your stuff of clutter.

The following are items that you should not take with you for various reasons. If you have anything to add to this list, please let us know!

1) Dangerous Goods: Acid, Paint, Fertilizer, Car Batteries, Aerosols, Kerosene, Liquid Bleach are a couple of examples of items that you should not take with you. It is illegal to pack anything substance that is corrosive, explosive or flammable. Moving companies will not even pack these items. Contact your local recycling system or the EPA to find out the proper way to dispose of any of these types of goods.

2) Junk you never use anyways: That box of papers holding all your school work, old tools, unused dishes, books you will never return and clothes are all great candidates to be gotten rid of. We form sentimental attachments to JUNK, but that doesn't mean it isn't junk. Now is the honest time to assess the stuff you have around your house.

3) Furniture: Consider what furniture you will need for your new home, and what you currently have. Different homes require different furnishing, and the chances are you will not need all of the same furniture for a new home. Give some of the old furniture to charity or try to sell it on Craigslist.

4) Old aquariums, pet cages, etc. : If your goldfish or guinea pig kicked the bucket, and you still have the container for the critter just in case, get rid of it! These items can be sold easily on Craigslist or given away to charity.

5) Perishable food: Eat all the food in your house that you can before a move. Make yourself not buy anything a week or two before the move, so that you can even begin to start finishing off non-perishable items. Once you move to your new home you can start a new with your new pantry/food-storing area.

6) Old toys: We love to give our kids everything, and there rooms often reflect the clutter of our generosity. Get rid of some of the toys before the move, especially older ones they don't use much or at all. Do not ask the kids, because even if they do use it chances is they will says no. Give the toys to charities for kids who don't have every toy in the world!

7) Broken appliances. Some people have the nasty habit of saving old electronics, exercise equipment, tools, appliances and other stuff in the hopes they will fix it some day. My grandmother had a collection of broken toasters in her addict. We have a box of electronics we hope to use again one day in our house. If you aren't going to get around to it, now would be a good time to consider recycling or otherwise disposing of it. There is nothing more annoying than moving around stuff that doesn't even work properly.

Happy moving!

Donate Food to Charity Before You Move

Moving is a daunting task, even when we just have to think about moving our valuables, furniture, pets and families. The to-do list is endless before a move, and packing up food before a move can not seem worth the effort. It is especially difficult if you are moving into a smaller place place. Half of your items are going in self storage, and with a smaller kitchen or pantry you can't imagine fitting all your canned goods and other food items into the new space.

Starting your food stocking from scratch can be a good idea in a new kitchen. This doesn't mean that you should chuck all of the items in your pantry. Consider dropping off unwanted food at your local food bank or a church. They will make sure it is distributed to people in need.

One in seven household in the United States as of 2013 find themselves not sure of how they're going to make it to the next paycheck when it comes to food. Throwing away food when people are hungry seems like a major shame. Your small donation can make the biggest difference in the world to families going through hard times in your community.

Consider These Things When Buying or Selling FSBO Real Estate

FSBO, or “For Sale By Owner” real estate refers to properties that are listed as being for sale by their owners without the assistance of a real estate professional. When a seller acts as their own agent they often do so because of the large cost savings, which is usually around 5% of their original asking price.

When Selling FBSO Real Estate

Homeowners who are interested in selling their homes on their own should have a thorough understanding of the process before getting started. Working with an attorney experienced in real estate matters can be very helpful as an attorney can help execute the legally-binding contracts and property transfers needed when a home is sold.

Often overlooked, early payoff fees are something that homeowners should research before selling their own home. Mortgage companies often include an early payoff clause in their lending agreements, potentially charging homeowners thousands of dollars for paying off their home loan within 5 years of the start of the loan. Other lenders have a clause that starts the early payoff penalty high and let it drop to lower amounts the longer the loan is active, eventually disappearing after enough time has passed.

Closing costs also need to be factored into the asking price for the home; these costs can be up to 5% of the purchase price of the home and can include any inspections, appraisals, loan fees, insurance, and legal fees needed during the sale process.

If for any reason you are not able to find a qualified buyer for your property and do not want to work with any alternative payment strategies from a potential buyer, you may want to consider offering your property to a real estate investor. Investors are often seeking properties with the potential for large profits on their behalf, so be prepared to take less than you originally expected if you go this route.

When Buying FBSO Real Estate

If you are buying a home that is FSBO, the first thing you should consider is your mortgage. Take your time and consider your options; there are several search engines and loan comparison calculators online that can help you compare and contrast different lenders and their mortgage offerings. Next, take a good look at your credit report; if you can obtain a copy from each of the three principal bureaus that would be best as each keeps slightly different records. If your score is under 700 you might have a harder time finding and qualifying for a mortgage loan as lending decisions are made based on these scores. If you have a score on the lower end of the spectrum you can also expect to have a higher interest rate which can potentially add thousands of dollars to your mortgage costs over time.

As a buyer, it may be in your best interest to apply for preapproved financing. While being preapproved does not mean that a buyer is guaranteed to secure financing, it does show that they can afford a certain amount and also shows sellers that they are serious about buying a home. Buyers can then use their prequalification to encourage sellers to lower their asking price; it is tough to find qualified buyers in today’s troubled economy, and a prequalification can definitely give buyers the upper hand in negotiations.

If you do not qualify for a traditional mortgage loan, there are still other options open to you depending on what the seller is open to using. You could work with the seller using a lease to own agreement, or having the seller carry the financing for a specific period of time while you improve your credit score and apply for a mortgage again later on.

Buying a home that is FSBO is really no different than doing so with a realtor. Regardless of who is doing the selling the laws are the same; Sellers must provide buyers with disclosers stating the known defects of the property, and any contracts or transfer documents are still filed through the proper legal channels.

When buyers are unable to qualify for bank financing, they might be able to enter into creative financing options such as owner will carry financing or lease purchase option agreements. These finance strategies give buyers time to improve credit scores so they can qualify for a bank loan within a few years.

Both buyers and sellers stand to save a lot of money when working with FSBO properties. The best piece of advice anyone can offer those engaging in an FSBO transaction is to hire a competent attorney with experience in real estate law. This way everyone can rest assured that all potential risks are covered, contracts are binding, and due diligence has been covered for everyone involved.

How to Find Out What Size Moving Truck You Need

One of the many obstacles of moving everything yourself is that you need to pick out a moving truck to rent. Getting too big or too small of a truck are both annoying errors that can cost you a lot extra. There is no magic formula to figure out what size you need, but we'v written this article to help you figure out it out. 

Pack Everything into Boxes First 

Packing everything before you rent the truck is a great way to figure out exactly how much space you will need from moving truck. This requires you pack everything that you can in boxes. For stuff you can't pack yet you can't guesstimate how many more boxes it will take to pack this stuff. For furniture and appliances you can just measure the cubic footage of those items. If you can't start packing before renting the moving van, you will need to guess to the best of your ability how many boxes you will be using. 

Calculate The Cubic Footage of Your Items

This step is a lot easier if you pre-buy boxes, so that you know the exact size of them. To get the cubic feet you will need to measure the width x length x height of each size box. If you know the sizes of the boxes already you can calculate the cubic footage of each individual box by how many boxes of that size you used. 

Remember Length x Width x Height = Cubic Footage

For example, if one of the sizes boxes you used was 5 x 4 x 5. You would calculate that out to equal 100 cubic feet. If you used 10 of those boxes, those boxes would take up 1,000 cubic feet.  

Alternatively you can measure around all the items. You will need to gather them in all in one area. You will measure the width, height and length of the area that the boxes take up then calculate the cubic footage of that area.

Knowing the exact cubic footage you'll be able to determine exactly what size moving van that you need.  

Go Out and See and Measure the Different Trucks 

You will need to measure the space inside of the moving truck to see exactly how much space that it offers. Some companies will offer a measurement, but it usually does not account for rubber lined wall guards or where the lining of the truck goes up to make space for the tires. This is especially an important step if you are going to have a tight fit. 

Compare the cubic footage of the truck to the size of your items. Then you will know which truck you will need come moving day. 

Make Sure that You have Plenty of Room 

I really can't imagine anything worse than realizing your moving truck is too small after you have filled it with all the items you can fit. If it is going to be a very tight squeeze, I would err on the size of caution and get a bigger truck. Even if it costs you a little extra money now, it will be better than the alternative of loading, unloading, getting a different truck then reloading. This has never happened to me personally, but I'm pretty sure my head would explode if it did! 

Happy moving!