Planning a move ahead of time makes arriving at Indigo Palms by Crescent Homes a stress-free experience. With so many people moving into new homes in North Charleston, the following tips should help families avoid some of the common moving headaches.

Research Moving Companies
Most American families planning a long-distance, move from one large house to another use a moving company. Others prefer to do it alone and rent a moving truck themselves. Regardless of which method home buyers select, there are several things to know about moving companies and truck rental facilities. First, potential customers need to do their research by reading up on local companies and checking out reviews listed online. Try to narrow the options down to two or three companies, according to expert realtors. Once potential customers have two or three businesses in mind, shop between them for different quotes. Be wary of any hidden expenses buried in the contract. Moving companies may come out to the home in order to give a price quote based on the amount of furniture. However, homeowners should know that some companies charge an extra fee on moving day if the job is more difficult than expected, which usually translates into workers having to climb multiple sets of stairs in order to move furniture. Rental companies charge additional fees if the truck comes back without a full tank of gas. Avoid these unpleasant charges by carefully reading the contract and ask questions about the company's policy for lost packages or damaged furniture before signing the document.

Schedule Utilities
Once families have set a date with a moving company, go ahead and call the new utility company. Schedule the date for turning on the utilities at the new house a few days before moving just in case the utility company experiences some delay. Nobody wants to move into a house in the Deep South during the heat of summer only to learn that the air conditioning isn't working because there is no power. Planning

Packing up a house is an enormous task, but if broken down into steps it becomes manageable. Start out by making a list of everything that needs to get done by moving day. Try to set aside a few hours each day to complete one or two items on the list. Begin packing up non-essential items first, such as plates in the formal dining room or a spare closet in the guest bedroom. Organize the boxes by using different color-coded labels for each room, as this makes this much easier once the movers get to the new house. Leave essential items for last, and pack them into a bag each family member takes along on the trip. Items such as medicines, baby formula, toiletries, and a spare set of clothes should go in the bag. Families should also set aside important documents and pack them together in a box that goes with the family in the car.

Research Neighborhood
Moving to a new place is the start of a new beginning together as a family. Before arriving into the new home, take some time to research the area. Learn where the locals go to eat, or which schools have the highest test scores and if your family attends church, you should look into the local churches. Families with young children can find information about Charleston's parks, and amusement areas. Finally, in case of any emergencies, look into the local medical centers and hospitals. For example, one hospital may be known statewide for its exceptional Heart Center while another hospital has a state of the art Stroke Center. Learning about the local area will help new families feel more at home and give them a starting point as they begin to explore their new North Charleston neighborhood.

Stay Calm
Moving day is always hectic. Hopefully, if the family plans ahead, a lot of the little headaches that come with moving such as misplaced items or lost boxes don't become an issue. Prepare for the unexpected and remember that even though moving is a lot of work, at the end of the move the family has a brand new house to call home.

Indigo Palms by Crescent Homes are part of a vibrant community made of new homes in North Charleston. While moving to a new area always has its ups and downs, following these tips should make the overall experience enjoyable. Families will learn to love their neighborhood and be proud to call Indigo Palms their new home.

For more information about Indigo Palms or the North Charleston, SC area, email us at info@crescenthomes.net.

Indigo Palms
8400 Loggers Run
North Charleston, SC 29420
410.562.4939