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Moving into your first apartment? Making the move can be exciting, but it’s often overwhelming at the same time. Here are 8 tips to help your move go more smoothly. Save Money on Your Lease The best way to get the lowest rent on your apartment is to sign a contract for a 1- or 2-year lease. Paying by the month is more expensive because landlords never know when you’ll leave, and constant turnover costs them a lot of money. Signing up for long-term rentals in Destin, FL, gives them more security, and you’ll probably see a significant discount. When to Hire Movers Many people dislike hiring movers because they don’t want strangers handling their belongings or because they don’t want to pay the extra costs. In general, it’s fine to have your friends and family help you make the move. The major exception to this rule is if you have fragile, valuable possessions. Professional movers come with their own insurance, so you’ll be able to get a replacement if something is damaged. Find Free Boxes There’s often no need to buy boxes for your move, as long as you know where to look. Ask local stores if they have any boxes that they want to get rid of. Some of the best places to look are clothing stores, grocery stores, and office supply stores. You can also check Craigslist. Many people are happy to give away boxes after their own move. Use Less Bubble Wrap Another way to cut down on expenses is to avoid buying bubble wrap, tissue paper, and other packing materials. Instead, use old newspapers to fill in gaps in your boxes. Use your clothes and bedding to wrap fragile items like your dishes. Organize Your Boxes The more you organize your boxes, the easier your move will be. As you pack, label each box with its contents and the room it came from. Color-code each room with different colored tape or markers to make them even easier to identify. Another way to organize your boxes is to number them as you pack them. Begin with less important items, like seasonal clothes, and work your way to more important items. Then, when you reach your new apartment, start unpacking the highest-numbered boxes first and work your way back down. Before You Move In Your apartment has had a lot of other people living in it, and you can’t be sure they kept it perfectly clean. Before you move any of your belongings into your new home, spend a day giving it a thorough cleaning. This is the easiest time to do it, so all your stuff doesn’t get in the way. Take Pictures Another thing you should do before moving your stuff into your apartment is to take pictures of everything. This will be your evidence of any existing damage, so you’ll have proof when it comes time to move out. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of your old apartment once your things are gone so you can have proof that you didn’t leave any damage. This way you’ll be most likely to receive your full security deposit back. Change the Locks Once again, it’s important to remember how many other people have lived in your apartment. How many of them still have the keys? Ask your landlord when the last time he changed the locks on your doors was. If he didn’t change them after the last tenant, ask if you can have it done yourself. He should be happy to agree, especially with long-term rentals in Destin, FL. Just make sure he gets a copy of the new keys.
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