B4 • Friday, August 9, 2024
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
7 TIPS FOR MAKING A MOVE EASIER BRANDPOINT Have a move on the horizon? You may feel overwhelmed. But moving can be the perfect opportunity to declutter and set yourself up for a smooth ride into your new neighborhood. It’s likely that you want to keep control of how your belongings are packed and moved by taking charge of the move yourself. In fact, many people share this same sentiment — Penske Truck Rental’s Settling In: Consumer Moving Trends Survey found that 57 percent of people planning a move prefer to rent their own moving truck. If that sounds like you, here are tips to help you COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT successfully execute your move. Moving to a new place can lead to fun and exciting discoveries.
Pack carefully Pack valuable breakables in bubble wrap or other quality materials. You can recycle cardboard or use coffee filters between everyday dishes and bowls to prevent chips and scratches. Secure dresser drawers and appliance doors with rope and tape. Pro tip: Take pictures of the back of your TV before disconnecting so you’ll know how to re-wire, and tape remotes to the back.
Pro tip: Check the weather forecast to know what to expect, and leave extra time if needed. Avoid busy urban areas around holidays like Labor Day. Enjoy the move Enlist help from friends and family, take breaks and enjoy the experience! Moving to a new place can lead to fun and exciting discoveries, and the chance to make new friends. Explore your new area
Moving to a new place can be both exciting and challenging. Finding ways Familiarize yourself with to connect with your new your moving truck, includ- community can make the transition smoother. ing knowing what fuel it The Penske Settling In needs. survey found that certain Learn the height and activities helped movers width (clearance) dimensions to avoid mishaps en- acclimate to their new neighborhood and build a tering narrow drive-thru Plan ahead rental companies, like Pen- license, etc. boxes “donate,” “trash” and lanes or driving under low sense of community. Top activities included: The more you prep, the “recycle,” then ask yourself: bridges. Consider an extra ske, offer quick and easy w Utilities need to be exploring new restaurants better. Create a checklist “Do I want this item enough padlock for lengthy/overbookings, and additional turned off or transferred. and shops, meeting neighand calendar to stay on services that will make Moving to a new town? Re- to pack and move it?” If not, night stops. track. into one of those boxes it your move a breeze. You Organize heaviest items bors, discovering new search whether current Assess what you’re bring- can grab packing supplies, in an “I” formation, balanc- parks and outdoor spaces, providers can service your goes. Create a room-byfurniture pads, tow dollies new area or if you’ll need to room schedule on your cal- ing weight evenly, and use plus participating in local ing to your new home and switch. events. start planning for a moving and more right from the tie-downs to prevent slidendar to spread sorting Pro tip: Many tasks can The majority of people date. Once identified, you’ll pick-up location. over several days or weeks. ing. Smaller items and Pro tip: Save time on be performed online. Check moving to a new neighborneed to find a truck that’s For moving day, create a boxes can fit in gaps moving day by renting your provider websites for infor- bag for essentials like toilet- around heavy items to fill best suited for your move. hood (72 percent) found truck the day before the Not sure where to start? the truck. Keep anything that establishing a consismation. ries and phone chargers, Penske offers a “Truck Wiz- move. valuable or that you’ll then pack a toolkit with tent routine helped them Maximize decluttering things you’ll need for setneed to access easily in get used to their new area. ard” which provides cusDon’t miss the details You’ve probably always Moving can be a wontomized truck ting up your new home, like the cab. Moving requires bureau- wanted to declutter, but A larger vehicle can take derful experience, full of recommendations based on power strips, towels and time to get used to. Watch new adventures. Find tips moving provides the incen- trash bags. a quick questionnaire. After cratic details, including: your speed and proximity and resources to improve you identify the perfect size Pro tip: Label boxes on w Change of address tive to get it done. Start to other vehicles to avoid truck, you’re all set to book with the post office, your tops and sides so they’re your next move at Penwith areas you use least, sudden braking. your truck rental. Many easy to see. bank, credit cards, driver’s like guest rooms. Label skeTruckRental.com.
U.S. 30-year mortgage falls to its lowest level since May 2023 Makailah Gause REUTERS NEW YORK — The average rate on the popular U.S. 30-year mortgage plunged to its lowest level since May 2023 this week, following days of market turbulence resulting from last week’s softer-than-expected employment report. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.47 percent during the week ending Aug. 8, down from 6.73 percent in the prior week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said on Thursday. It averaged 6.96 percent during the same period a year ago. “The decline in mortgage rates does increase prospective homebuyers’ purchasing power and should begin to pique their interest in making a move,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in a statement. The drop comes on the heels of a week of financial market volatility that drove yields on the Treasury securities that are used as a benchmark for mortgage rates sharply lower and after the Federal Reserve indicated it could start cutting interest rates at its next meeting in September. “This drop in rates is already providing some existing homeowners the opportunity to refinance, with the refinance share of market mortgage applications reaching nearly 42 percent, the highest since March 2022,” said Khater.
Loading and driving your moving truck