When contemplating your big move, one of your considerations may be whether you choose a furnished or unfurnished property. Here’s a list of the pros and cons for each option to help you decide.

Furnished Properties: The Pros

Depending on your budget you might find anything from a property that has the necessities such as kitchen appliances and beds to a move-in-ready, fully-equipped location with top-of-the-line furnishings. Some good reasons for moving to a furnished property:

1. Make your move less of a hassle

Organizing and moving your large furniture can be challenging. Not only do you have to have the skill to wrap it, but you also need to measure the item, and decide where it will go in the new house. The final hurdle is if it will even fit through the front stairs and up the turns in the staircase. So, simply put, no furniture equals less to move. You will only have boxes to organize.

2. Save money

This is both a pro and a con. Not having to splash the cash on expensive furniture will make your move much more affordable. However, furnished properties are generally more costly than unfurnished ones. Research properly to see which option is financially viable for you.

3. Ideal for short-term leases

Unfurnished properties are ideal for people looking for a short-term rental and anyone who is moving for the first time. They provide an added sense of flexibility while still offering an excellent home.

Furnished Properties: The Cons

We’ve taken a look at the pros, but what about the flip side? There are some aspects of moving into a furnished property that people are less fond of.

1. Less able to personalize

Moving into a furnished property means that the decoration and furniture have already been decided. At this point, you should hope that your landlord has good taste. Some landlords may allow you to repaint the walls, but not much else. The downside is that this may affect how ‘at-home’ you feel in your new property.

2. Expensive initial purchase or higher rent

Furnished properties are designed so that you can move into them right away, completely hassle-free. As a result, the price tag of furnished properties are considerably higher than their unfurnished counterparts.  

Quick and Easy

We think it is relatively safe to conclude that furnished properties are a great option if you have no furniture of your own, are looking for a short lease, or you want a quick move.

Unfurnished Properties: The Pros

Properties that are unfurnished are an empty box on which you can put your own stamp. They do not include beds, sofas or any equipment. Depending on the terms, some of them may consist of items such as a washing machine and refrigerator. You will need to provide everything to fill the property.

1. Make your house your home

With a full artistic license, you can decorate your house however you want. Being able to turn your house into an area that represents your own style will make you feel settled.  Decorating is an element of moving that many people love the most. You can get really creative and start a decorating board on Pinterest to help with your design ideas.

2. A shopper’s dream

There is nothing like a blank slate to get the creative juices flowing. Think of your new unfurnished property as one giant empty canvas and write a list of what you would like to see in it. After this, the only thing left to do is go shopping!

Unfurnished Properties: The Cons

So far it sounds great, but what are the cons for considering an unfurnished property to call home?

1. Living in a blank space

Although the blank canvas was on the ‘pro-side,’ it also features on our cons list. If you do not have the furniture to fill the property, then you may end up using plastic outdoor chairs with a television on a box in the living room. If this doesn’t sound like fun then either avoid unfurnished properties or make sure that you have everything you want in advance of your move.

2. Less maintenance support

With an unfurnished property, you really are on your own. If something breaks down or goes wrong, then you will be responsible for fixing it.

You Like Things Your Way

Unfurnished properties are ideal for anyone who has a lot of furniture or is looking forward to creating their own space from scratch. It gives you the flexibility to furnish and decorate as you like. You have ultimate control.

Let Us Help You

Whichever option you decide, we’ll gladly help you successfully plan your move today.

Are you planning to move while pregnant? Here are some suggestions to help ease the stress for a smooth relocation before the baby comes.

So, you’re preparing to move. The process is undoubtedly a challenge, but moving while pregnant is even more demanding.

Sometimes it’s unavoidable. You may not have the option of waiting to relocate until after the baby is born. If so, here are some safe moving tips during pregnancy.

1. Talk to Your Doctor

Before anything else, discuss the move with your doctor. Confirm that it is safe for you to participate in the moving process while pregnant. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, pregnant women under the 20-week mark should avoid lifting anything heavier than 18 pounds. Past the 20-week mark, this should be reduced to a maximum of 13 pounds.

If you are moving to a new area, make sure you have established a new doctor before the move. Arrange to have your medical files forwarded to the new healthcare provider.

2. Declutter

As a soon-to-be parent, you are probably anxious to get into your new home and begin to nest and ready it for the baby. Do yourself a favor, before you pack your boxes for the move, sift through your stuff and eliminate unnecessary items. If you declutter before the move it will save time and money on the move, the unpacking, as well as space in your new home.

3. Plan Ahead

Whether you’re moving nearby or far away, creating a realistic timeline is essential. Space out your tasks as much as possible so that you don’t leave too much to do so close to the moving date. Create a moving checklist and take it one step at a time.

4. Ask for Help

Having a group of friends and family to help during the moving process and on your moving day is a great help. Assign them tasks from your to-do list. Have them pack bags and boxes, load heavy items, help with the cleaning, and make sure that you do not forget anything important. Be sure to give your friends and family plenty of notice.

If friends and family are not an option, contact local movers to help with the process.

5. Create a Moving-Day Pack

Looking after your health when expecting a baby is essential. Be sure to pack a bag that you can keep near you at all times during your move. This moving-day pack should include healthy snacks and plenty of electrolytes to give your body positive energy throughout the day. Be sure to include medication, toiletries, and a phone charger.

6. Clean With Eco-Friendly Products

For safety reasons, pregnant women need to avoid cleaning products with ammonia and bleach. As such, you should either hire a professional cleaner to help with the final cleaning.

7. Research Parent and Baby Social Groups

It is a great idea to build a parent and baby social group so that you can connect with new friends when you move. Start with Facebook and see what groups there are in the local area. Check with local park districts for appropriate events and groups.

Relax and Unwind

Moving can be stressful so take the time to relax and check-in regularly with your doctor. If you follow these suggestions, we’re sure that your move will be successful. Just imagine it now, your lovely new home completely organized in time for the arrival of your baby.

Let us know if we can assist with your move. Contact us for a quote today.

Sometimes in life, we discover that our expectations don’t match up to the reality, and moving is no different. If you are reading this article, you are probably thinking about moving or are in the process of moving. We want to be sure that your move is smooth and stress-free. So, we have listened to our customers and pulled together this list of moving expectations and the actual reality that some of them have faced. Here’s how to avoid making moving mistakes.

Planning

Expectation: “I’m an organized person. I will be packed and done labeling my boxes a week before the move.”

Reality: “Uh oh! The movers arrive soon, and I’m not done packing and labeling.”

We all like to think of ourselves as being 100% organized and on top of everything. However, after a busy day at work, who gets excited about going home to start packing? That is precisely why we recommend that you have at least a two- month moving plan. Eliminate the uncertainty in your move by preparing a detailed list of things to do before the move.

Budgeting

Expectation: “I will keep track of my moving expenses so that I don’t overspend.”

Reality: “Yikes! Why has my move cost three times the amount I predicted?”

It is essential to create and keep a detailed moving budget. This budget should include everything from storage costs to packing tape. Overspending is one of the main pitfalls when it comes to moving. There are many online budget templates to help your account for all your moving day costs.

Coordinating

Expectation: “I’m sure my friends will help me on moving day.”

Reality: “Oh no! The friends I thought were going to help me on moving day have all backed out.”

There is an old saying that ‘more hands make light work,’ and that is definitely true when it comes to moving. As part of your planning process, you need to coordinate with people to help with the move.

If you plan to count on friends to help with the move, make sure that you have them solidly locked in for move day. If your friends are not dependable for this enormous task, hire professional movers for peace of mind.

Settling In

Expectation: “I’ll be unpacked and settled in a day.”

Reality: “I’ve been here a month, and I’m still living out of boxes.”

While it is unlikely it will take only a day to settle into your new home, your pre-move preparation and organization will go a long way once moved. Hopefully, you culled through your clutter and brought only the things you need in the new house. In addition, you have labeled everything so that the boxes have all ended up in the proper rooms.

Try to focus on unpacking one room at a time. Avoid getting distracted by television or electronics until you have everything unpacked. Allow yourself to enjoy the unpacking process.

Enjoy Your New Home

Hopefully these suggestions about planning, budgeting, and coordinating help you prepare for your move. It also helps to chat with friends and family that have experience with moving so that you can set realistic expectations for yourself with your own move.

Remember, we’re here to help make sure that your move is quick, easy and efficient. Contact Browning Moving & Storage for help with your upcoming move. 

You’re about to move out of your rented apartment into a new home. First, you have to pass the final inspection. That means it is the perfect time to start cleaning!

Cleaning can be a daunting task, particularly if you’ve spent many years in the property. You never know what dirt and grime might be hiding in nooks and crannies. So, let our ultimate guide to cleaning help you make your home spotless. The good news is that these tips and tricks are less toxic than store bought cleaners and use items that you are likely to have on hand.

1. Get Rid of Greasy Stains

We all hate those greasy stains on the oven and hobs. Don’t stand there for hours scrubbing like a maniac, mix some baking soda and water until it forms a paste. Then slather it on the area, leave for a few minutes and wipe off. Presto! It looks brand new again.

2. Say Goodbye to a Grimy Microwave

Microwaves are another difficult appliance to clean. The best way to tackle your microwave mess is to pour two cups of water into a microwavable bowl or measuring cup and add two lemons cut in half. Turn the microwave on to high for two minutes and watch the effective steam-clean take place. Simply wipe the residue with a dry cloth.

3. Shine Your Stainless Steel Sink

Over the years stainless steel can look worn out. Give yours a new breath of life by cleaning it with baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar. Use an old toothbrush as a scrubber and your once dull sink will sparkle.

4. Disinfect Wooden Utensils

If your wooden chopping boards and spoons look like they have seen better days, give them new life. Eliminate old cooking stains by rubbing half a lemon, a dash of salt, and a few drops of water onto each utensil. Leave for an hour and stains will lift easily when washed as usual.

5. Polish Mirrors and Windows

Cleaning windows and mirrors can be a headache, and getting a streak-free result can be tricky. Merely brew some strong black tea, then let it cool for about an hour. Transfer the tea cleaner into a spray bottle and apply to windows and mirrors. Use a microfiber cloth, or better yet, newspaper to wipe it off for a streak-free shine.

6. Sanitize the Toilet

Pour a half a cup of baking soda and a half a cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. The mixture will froth as it starts to clean. Leave it to work for 15 minutes then use a toilet brush to scrub the sides of the toilet bowl and flush.

7. Clear Slow Drains

For this one, you’ll need four Alka-Seltzer tablets and one cup of distilled vinegar. Drop the tablets down the blocked drain, then slowly pour in the vinegar. Wait ten minutes for the cleaning action to take place and afterward rinse with boiling water. The pipe will be cleaner, and the water will drain quicker.

8. Brighten Your Tiles

Take a mason-style jar with a lid and combine one cup of kosher salt, baking powder, and Borax. Screw the lid on tightly and give the jar a good shake to make sure that the ingredients are all mixed. For a deep clean, you can concentrate the mixture on tiled areas that need scouring. Or, use on all the tiles to lift general dirt stains for sparkling tiles. Gently scrub the tiles with a soft sponge, rinse with tepid tap water and dry with a towel.

9. Clean Your Shower Head

If your shower head is covered in limescale, fill a regular sized sandwich bag with one cup white vinegar and tie around your shower head with a rubber band. Be sure that the shower head is fully submerged in the vinegar. Leave overnight and return to a sparkling, grime-free shower head in the morning.

10. Shine Your Hardwood Floors

This miracle mixture will give your dull and lifeless wooden floors a new lease on life. You will need a large measuring jug filled with two cups of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon castile soap. For a nice fragrance add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the mixture before transferring it to an easy to use spray bottle. Spray directly onto the wooden floor and rub with a dry cloth. The harder you rub, the more shine you will get.

Leave Your Old Home Sparkling

When you move out of your rental be sure that you get your full deposit returned by doing some deep cleaning. With these tips, you are certain to make your old home sparkle. The great news is that you don’t need to use harsh, expensive cleaning products because these tips and tricks use regular household items.