Moving into a new home in Sierra Vista is great. Packing up everything up in your old home, not so much. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Follow these tips for a stress-free move:
Gather Supplies
Start gathering moving supplies as soon as you have a move-in date. You will need boxes in all sizes as well as specialty boxes for things like moving flat-screen televisions. You will also need bubble wrap, packing tape, markers or a label maker, box cutters and a dolly for the heavy lifting.
Plan It Out
Not everything needs to be packed at the same time. Create a checklist and a calendar. The checklist tells you what to pack; the calendar when to pack it. As a rule, items you don’t use often can be packed one to three months ahead of your move. As you pack, get rid of items you never use so they don’t follow you to your new home.
The Kitchen
Kitchens are the hardest to pack. There’s just so much stuff! Wrap your dishes in bubble wrap and pack them vertically to keep them from breaking. Glasses should be packed in boxes with dividers. If you have a silverware tray, remove it from the drawer, wrap it in plastic and set the whole thing in a box. Remove blades and attachments from small appliances before wrapping. You can put them in bags and tape them to the appliance. You may be tempted to pack as much in one box as you can. Don’t. Heavy boxes are hard to lift and can break, sending your dishes to the floor.
Home Office
Home offices can be tricky to pack ahead of time if you plan to work up until the day you move. Pack up as many office supplies as you can in the month before the move. The night before, pack up your electronic devices. Be sure to store power strips, cords and chargers together so you won’t be searching for them the day after the move.
Clothes
Clothes are easy to pack. Purchase wardrobe boxes and just hang them up. Pack any clothes that are out of season first. To move the clothing you keep in drawers, just pull out the drawers, wrap them in plastic and place on the moving truck. If you don’t want to invest in moving boxes, use trash bags or suitcases.
The Bathroom
Declutter your bathroom before packing anything. Have one box for each bathroom. Keep toiletries together. Pack your medications in a to-go bag and make sure it is in the car on the day of the move.
Spare Rooms
Spare rooms can usually be packed up at least a month in advance. Wrap comforters, pillows and sheets in plastic before storing in a box. If you don’t need the bed, disassemble it. Valuables can be moved to another room for safekeeping.
Kids’ Rooms
Get your kids involved in the packing. Have them pack their clothes, school supplies and other items. Favorite toys should not be packed until a few days before.
Furniture, Mirrors and Art
Wrap mirrors and art in bubble wrap. If they don’t fit in boxes, label them by whatever room they will go in. Remove legs from tables and chairs to make them easier to maneuver. Cover the tops of tables with blankets to keep them from getting scratched.
General Tips
Take a picture of what’s inside each box. Give the box a number and write down what’s inside. That way you know where everything is and don’t waste time opening boxes filled with stuff you don’t need. Pack a box of essential items for each room. Those could include tools, bathroom items like toilet paper, pet food, first aid kit and clothes.
Make Easter “eggs-tra” special for your kids by letting them express themselves creatively. From fun egg-decorating ideas to fool-proof festive food, we’ve put together a list of activities everyone will love. In between activities, why not take a look at our finely crafted homes in Sierra Vista?
It’s All About the Eggs
Sure there are bunnies and chicks, but Easter is really all about the eggs. Make your Easter eggs sparkle with a little glue and lots of glitter. Get cracking with these fun rainbow eggs. Got a toddler? These three Easter egg dyeing crafts are easy and fun. Skip the dye altogether and pull out the Sharpies for these tie-dyed eggs.
Who Doesn’t Want Bunny Ears?
Easter bonnets are so last year. Make these adorable pipe cleaner bunny ears instead. Check out this cute template for making cute paper plate Easter Bunny hats. Paper plates also make great bunny masks.
Faux Eggs
Don’t want to decorate real eggs this year? No problem. Break out the colored paper and make these bright 3D eggs. Find some egg-shaped rocks and let the kids go wild with acrylic paint. Preschoolers will love adding dried pasta to these paper Easter eggs. Use your Easter egg cookie cutters to craft these salt doughmasterpieces.
Great Garlands and Wreathes
Hang these kid-created garlands around the house to welcome the Easter bunny. It just takes a little paint and a lot of shaving cream to make these marbled paper Easter eggs. Older children will enjoy making these Easter egg wreathes. “Chick” out these adorable yarn garlands.
Festive Food Fun
Teens in particular will have a great time making these bunny ice cream cones. No kid will be able to resist these carrot-themed chocolate dipped strawberries. Peeps are just marshmallows, and marshmallows are the main ingredient in s’mores. These Peeps go vroom!
Teasing out the right home loan from the many available options can seem overwhelming. A qualified lender can help, but it’s important to understand the vocabulary. Here are some home loan terms you should know:
Conventional Loan
When you think of a loan, you probably think of a conventional or conforming loan. An example is the ubiquitous 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. These loans are perfect for buyers with a strong credit history because they are tied more directly to your credit score and down payment. There are several pros to this type of loan:
- If your credit score is high enough, you may not have to put 20 percent down.
- If you choose to put 20 percent down, you won’t need private mortgage insurance (PMI).
- There is usually no upfront mortgage fee.
- Fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages are available.
- You can choose loan terms from 10 to 30 years.
There are some cons:
- If you are approved for a conventional loan with a lower-than-ideal credit history, you may be on the hook for a higher interest rate.
- These loans are not backed by the federal government which means the lender is at more risk. That means the requirements will be more stringent.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A fixed-rate loan means that your mortgage rate stays the same throughout the life of your loan. These loans are available on 10-, 15-, 20-, 30- and 40-year terms, but 15 and 30 terms are the most common. Some things to keep in mind:
- 15-year mortgages come with higher monthly payments but usually have lower interest rates and less total interest compared to longer-term loans.
- 30-year mortgages offer lower monthly payments than 15-year mortgages but at higher interest rates. You also will pay more in interest than you would with a 15-year loan.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
The initial rate of these loans is fixed for a period of time. Your rate then adjusts to current market rates. The fixed rates are usually quite low, potentially saving you a bundle. You do risk interest rates rising which will cause your monthly payment to rise, as well.
FHA Loan
FHA loans offer prospective homebuyers low down payment requirements, more lenient credit score standards and flexible income guidelines making them an excellent choice for first-time homebuyers. The mortgage is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration making them less risky for lenders to offer.
On the pro side:
- You may only need as little as 3 percent of the home price as your down payment.
- Your credit score can be as low as 580 with 3.5 percent down or 500 with 10 percent down.
- 15- and 30-year loan terms are usually available
- Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages are available.
- Down payment gifts and/or down payment assistance can cover 100 percent of the down payment and closing costs.
On the con side:
- You will need to purchase PMI up front.
- FHA loan limits are lower than conforming loan limits so you might not be able to get the amount you need for the home you want.
VA Loan
If you served in the military, you can qualify for a loan with no down payment whatsoever. Interest rates are lower than standard loans and you do not need to purchase mortgage insurance. Veterans, active-duty service members and surviving spouses are all eligible.
USDA Loan
These loans are intended for low-income to moderate-income home buyers who plan to purchase a home in a rural area. Eligibility requirements are strict, but if you qualify, you will not have to make a down payment or pay for mortgage insurance. Credit scores starting at 640 are eligible. Income limits must be met and a fixed-rate, 30-year term is the only option.
Jumbo Loans
If you have really good credit, a large cash reserve and want to purchase an extremely expensive home, you may be a candidate for a jumbo loan. Jumbo loans are for homebuyers whose loan amount exceeds Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s stated loan limits. These loans usually come with higher monthly payments, but the down payment can be as low as 5 percent with some lenders.
How Do You Choose?
Now that you know the basics you can begin deciding. Pick a few that seem right for you. Use this handy mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payment. Compare them here. Then speak to your lender. It won’t be long before you find the right mortgage, leading you to your perfect home in Sierra Vista.
Skip the chocolates this Valentine’s Day and give your special someone what she really craves — a day of pampering. Where? Any of these great spas near Sierra Vista.
Located less than 30 minutes away, Woodhouse is the ultimate luxury spa. Plush robes, loose-leaf teas, a calming environment and an extensive menu of spa services promote relaxation and well-being. Purchase a single treatment or go all out with one of their signature packages for a day she will never forget.
Professional, luxurious spa services at an affordable price — what could be better? Treat her to a hot stone massage coupled with a cold stone face massage. Or purchase a membership so she can get a massage or facial every month.
Winter skin is no joke. Treat her to a soothing facial surrounded by luxury. The posh day spa provides complimentary wine or spa water and well-appointed spa suites.
Medical spas provide more than massages and facials. Staffed by doctors, they offer an array of cosmetic enhancement services including Botox, micro-needling, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) treatments and spider vein therapy as well as weight loss help and an IV drip bar.
Help enhance her natural beauty with cutting-edge treatments, including cosmetic injectables, facials, waxing, body contouring, weight loss programs and more.
Start her down the road to self-care with a Massage Envy membership. Members get one 60-minute massage, total body stretch, or customized facial session each month.
Start 2023 right by saving money on the purchase of a new home in Sierra Vista. Some of our builders are offering incentives that will lower your interest rate, pay your closing costs or reduce the price of your new home. Take a look and choose your savings.
Lock in a low 4.99 percent interest rate and save hundreds off your monthly mortgage payment with Davidson Homes. Even better, it’s a fixed interest rate so you will save money every month throughout the life of your loan. Just finance through Davidson Home Mortgage and close by Feb. 3.
Start the new year with a new home and $30,000 in money-saving incentives from Liberty Home Builders. From now until January 31, the builder will give you credit toward your choice of a price reduction, closing costs or a rate buy down.
Raise a toast to 2023 and save money with Meritage Homes. The builder is offering huge incentives when you purchase a select home by Jan. 15 including your choice of up to $10,000 toward price reduction, $10,000 toward closing costs, a 5.99 percent locked in interest rate or a welcome package including a washer, dryer and refrigerator.
