Month: July 2020

The rise of Canadian real estate has been a hot topic this past year. With many Canadian’s unable to buy on their own, they’re led to invest with others for the additional support or rent if that’s not an option.

Today, the notion of living with a roommate has become very common not just for those in their early 20s but for adults and families as well. Sharing a space whether it’s with your friend, partner or a stranger can be challenging. We made a list of some important questions to address before moving in with a roommate.

What’s your day-to-day schedule like?

Get a better idea of who the person is and what type of routine they have. Their routine will tell you how often they are home and what they do professionally and recreationally.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

Finding out what time a person generally goes to bed and wakes up will give you a lot of insight. If you have conflicting sleep patterns, be cautious of your noise level during these hours.

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday night?

If you are a homebody who likes to spend most Saturday nights curled up with a cozy blanket and a good movie, searching for a low-key roommate would be a better fit.

Do you have pets?

There are additional factors to consider when adding pets into the mix. Depending on the size, type and personality of the pet, there might be responsibilities not just for the owner but for the roommate as well. Make sure allergies aren’t an issue!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When living in close proximities with someone, you will discover what makes them tick sooner or later. Be open, honest and realistic about your expectations.

Are you neat or messy?

When it comes to cleaning, pulling your weight is important when living with a roommate. Make a cleaning/chore schedule to prevent miscommunication and confrontations in the future.

Do you like to cook at home?

This is a great follow up question that will open the dialogue to groceries and whether you will be sharing anything such as condiments or kitchen appliances. It will also indicate how often there will be dishes at which point you can clarify cleaning responsibilities.

How do you prefer to communicate and resolve conflict?

Some people prefer to communicate face to face and others via text or email. Perhaps a combination of sending a quick text letting your roommate know what the issue is and then discussing in person later will lead to a more productive outcome.

How do you plan on making rent/bill payments?

This question is very straightforward and necessary to discuss. Ensure your assets are protected by confirming who is in charge of what, how the payments will be made and what will be done if a payment cannot be made by one party.

These questions will lead to some great discussions between you and your potential roommate. After all, there are certain things you should know about each other before deciding whether to live together. There’s nothing worse than realizing after the fact you aren’t the right fit.

There is more to moving then just the move itself. Factor in as many variables as you can when creating your budget as it’s better to be over prepared than under.

Although you can never completely anticipate all the unexpected costs of moving, sticking to a budget and leaving extra room for last minute add-ons will make the process less stressful. Here are 4 things to help you prepare for the unexpected on your local or long distance move:

Temporary Accommodations

Sometimes there can be lag between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Whether the delay is planned or unexpected it can cause a rift in your plans. An over-night stay may be all you need but sometimes a long-term rental is necessary. There are affordable options available such as extended hotel stays, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb, or even renting an apartment or house. Planning for this type of expense as early as possible will help eliminate any surprises in terms of cost.

Storage

If your home isn’t ready for occupancy or you’re downsizing into a smaller space, you may find yourself in need of short or long term storage for your belongings. If you decide to hire a mover, full service moving companies often have storage options available. For longer-term storage needs, ask your mover what options they recommend or if a third party facility might be more cost effective.

Babysitter

Don’t forget to plan for the little ones! Arranging for a babysitter may cost extra but it will definitely save you time in the long run. Consider hiring a sitter not just for moving day, but for the days leading up to the move as well as you will be doing the majority of the packing and organizing then. You will have your hands full with the move; the last thing you need to worry about are what the kids are doing!

Replacing Old Items

One of the advantages of moving is being able to sort through your belongings as you pack. You can finally get rid of the old set of pots and pans you’ve been meaning to for decades and toss, sell or donate other dated items! Although purging feels great, make sure to consider the cost of replacing the old items with the new ones. Set aside a reasonable budget for this. If you are downsizing or upsizing, you may need to buy new furniture and appliances to fit your updated space.

Have you ever uttered the words, I won’t forget or I’ll write it down later? If there’s one piece of advice we can provide you when planning a move, it’s to stay organized.

There’s a lot to think about in the weeks and days leading up to a move that you don’t want to worry about whether or not you’ve forgotten something. Keeping everything as organized as possible will help lower your stress levels and make the process much easier. One of the best ways to prioritize and organize your time is with a moving a calendar. Here are 3 reasons why a calendar will help you and your family have a successful move:

Accomplish Your Objectives

There is a lot to think about and accomplish during the moving process from finding a mover, packing, setting up new accounts, etc. Even for highly organized people it can be overwhelming to stay on top of it all. Creating a moving calendar will allow you to see the big picture. You can spread out your tasks over time and plan out realistic deadlines and goals. Give yourself extra time to accomplish each task as things always take longer than expected!

Schedule in Other Activities

The more organized you are, the more time you’ll have to schedule in miscellaneous activities or much needed down time. Writing everything in a calendar will allow you to see where you can be flexible and fit in non-move related days. Making the time for fun activities and important people will help you destress and buckle down when necessary.

Countdown

Start a moving day countdown! If you have small children, a calendar countdown is a great way to get them involved. Creating a timeline of events will eliminate surprises and allow you and your children to prepare and adjust to all the changes. Not to mention it feels amazing getting to knock off all the accomplished tasks along the way!

Ultimately, a moving calendar will help you meet your deadlines and stay productive during a high stress time. A digital calendar is also a great option to consider as they often give you the opportunity to link to your phone or email and create reminders and alarms. You can even print off a copy to put on your fridge!

To make it easy for you, we’ve created a free personalized moving checklist and calendar right on our website. Visit our Moving Tips page and simply type your move date and family name to get your day by day guide. The moving calendar includes important tasks and timelines you may not have thought of and is a great tool to use when planning your move.

Corporate relocations are a frequent occurrence within global companies as 80% surveyed by Atlas Canada relocated employees between countries.

Making a move for your career can be a scary adjustment; picking up everything you own and moving somewhere you’ve never been. That being said, it can also be a great opportunity and a fresh change in your life. You may be asked to relocate across town, across the country or even overseas. The distance will all depend on the needs of your particular company. When deciding on whether relocating is for you, be sure to do as much research as you can before making the decision, and use all the resources available. Here are a couple ways to discover if a corporate relocation is for you.

Use Your Connections

When preparing for a move, there are many ways you can get ready just by using what you already have around you. One of the easiest resources available to you is reaching out to your coworkers that have relocated before, for tips on how to prepare for the moving process and what to expect. Maybe someone in your workspace has worked in the location you are relocating to and knows the office culture. Another great way to use your connections is by reaching out to people outside of work that might have lived in or visited the city before. This way you can get an outside look at the social atmosphere of the location.

Explore the City

Feel free to go check out the location as looking on the internet and word of mouth can only tell you so much. Take a trip out to the city and get a real look and feel of the area. There’s no better way to know if you will suit the city other than seeing it for yourself. Also, visit the office and the expected neighbourhood you will be living in; take a look at the commute and the social atmosphere. Maybe you’re into fitness for example. Take a look at the gyms or trails in the closest proximity of your new potential home. Don’t be afraid to also try something new. Perhaps you are moving somewhere up north and you’ve never lived in a colder climate before and always wanted to try skiing. Try to look at the move as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Taking a trip out to visit is the best way for you to know if the location suits you and/or your family.

Managing all your expenses can be one of the biggest challenges when moving to a new home.

The best way to control costs and stay in budget is make a list of all your potential expenses. This will allow you to see which areas are essential to spend in and which areas you can cut down. Below are 4 surefire ways you can cut costs and save money on your move without compromising on quality.

Hire a Credible Moving Company

If you are planning to hire a mover it’s important to be extra cautious in your research to make sure you choose a credible company. When searching the internet today, there are just as many rogue movers as there are legitimate ones. Rogue movers are attracting customers by creating slick websites, offering low ball prices, setting unrealistic service expectations and then holding a shipment hostage for more money. You will end up spending way more than you bargained for to get your belongings back and quite often items will be lost or damaged. Hiring a credible moving company from the beginning will ensure your belongings are in good hands. There are steps you can take to ensure the mover you hire is a credible company. Take a look at our “How to Choose a Mover” video for more information.

Sell Old Furniture and Knickknacks

Moving is a great opportunity to go through your belongings and discard of any old, unwanted items. Instead of tossing these items, consider selling them. A garage sale is one of the easiest ways to dispose of old junk and make some money while doing it. Just like the expression goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”! If you don’t have the time for a garage sale, try selling your items online instead. There are many free, user-friendly forums where you can buy and sell directly from your computer. If you prefer to donate, a local charity is a great option for any non-perishable items. The more you donate the more money you will end up saving in moving expenses.

Do Your Own Packing

Although many movers offer professional packing and unpacking services, the additional cost may be out of your budget. A great way to save some extra money during a move is to do some or all of your own packing. Ask family and friends to lend a helping hand; it can make the process much quicker. Remember to give yourself lots of time! Rushing through the packing can result in damages to your belongings. Ask your Atlas Agent for helpful brochures and visit our Packing Tips page for some great advice.

Collect Your Own Packing Supplies

Before purchasing any boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, etc. take a look around your house to see what packing supplies you have. The earlier you do this step, the more time you will have to start saving and collecting supplies. Give your local dollar store or liquor store a call to see if they have any spare boxes. Your workplace could also be a great option for extra materials. It never hurts to ask!

About one-quarter of Canada’s population are millennials; those born between the early 1980s to the early 2000s. With most of them finished or on the verge of finishing school, many are now taking a more active interest in home ownership. Already we are seeing trends in the way millennials are purchasing real estate and the location they are choosing. These young Canadians are paying close attention to the market and areas where they see growth in employment and affordable real estate. The majority of millennials are looking to purchase a home in the very near future, also taking in the investment opportunity that comes with purchasing real estate.

Purchasing

Today more millennials are expressing their confidence in purchasing a home, with the buying intentions increased by the economy, job security, and their parents. Young Canadians are saving and planning their finances for their future, especially for home buying. Millennials are watching the housing market closely with interest rates rising and the price of homes going up and down. Along with student debt on their backs, millennials are showing an interest in home buying as a top financial concern, with just over a quarter of them putting money toward this goal and saving for a down payment. On top of saving, many millennials are looking to their parents for some assistance in home buying. Most of their parents at the perfect age to start downsizing and give their kids a step up on the property ladder.

Location

Millennials are all about modernization and convenience; they are migrating to cities that are adapting to a new more modern way of living. When looking for real estate millennials are showing a trend in looking for multi-purpose rooms and unique interior designs such as ceilings. Millennials are looking at large urban centers such as Toronto and Vancouver (expected to expand into Ottawa and Montreal), for condos as they are more affordable and in their budget. These cities offer a large social atmosphere and an expanding work on public transit to make it easier to get around. In the larger cities, they also look at where job growth is happening and become more pulled to looking at real estate in these areas. If you’re looking for more information, on these large urban cities be sure to check out our City Guides page.

There is a lot going on when moving into a new home from relocating, to unpacking, to cleaning and everything in between. Now imagine having to juggle all that without lights, in the freezing cold and unable to find the paperwork for your utilities company. That’s a scary thought! To avoid these types of scenarios and make the transition a little easier on you, we’ve put together a list of 3 important tasks to complete before your move in date.

Create a Folder of Important Documents

Moving doesn’t just involve changing houses; it usually involves switching other major places as well like doctors, banks, schools, etc. Doing so requires a ton of paperwork – yuck! The best way to get ahead of all this paperwork is to start collecting and organizing it right away. Create a folder with labels and file your records accordingly. Don’t forget to make extra paper or digital copies in case something is misplaced in the hustle of the move. Some of these important documents include:

• Medical records – doctor, optometrist and dental
• Bank records
• School records
• Pet records
• Home/car insurance
• Utilities
• Moving paperwork

If possible, personally take this folder with you to your new home so that you have the information readily available should you need it.

Discontinue and Transfer Utilities

Utilities such as hydro, electrical, gas, internet, cable, phone, etc. are often forgotten about during the process of moving. Not only do you have to cancel the services at your old address, but also arrange for the reconnection at your new address. A simple address transfer may be possible if your current provider services your new neighbourhood. But most likely you will have to research new local suppliers in the area, especially if you are moving to a different city or country. Begin this process at least 3 weeks before your move in date, as notice is usually required for both discontinuing and setting up utilities. During peak moving season it can take up to 2-3 weeks for the arrangements to be made. Don’t risk moving into your new home without these essential utilities; it would be quite the challenge!

Find a New Specialist/Establishment

When it comes to important issues like your health, education and financial well-being, don’t take these matters lightly! Just like you would do your research before selecting a mover, do the same to find the best specialist/establishment for you and your family. Once you’ve found the right one, have your records transferred over to the new administration. Use your folder of important documents we discussed above to make this process quicker and easier!

Ultimately, there is a lot to think about and accomplish during the moving process.

Stress levels are high and a spare moment is hard to come by. Making sure the 3 tasks above are completed prior to your move date will make the transition much easier and less stressful.

Change the Locks

Being handed the keys to your new home is a very exciting time! However, don’t forget these keys once belonged to someone else. The previous homeowner may have given a spare key to family, friends or neighbours. The best way to feel safe and secure in your new home is to replace or rekey the old locks. Rekeying is an alternate way of changing the locks without having to fully replace them. If you want your locks to be a different colour or design, consider replacing the hardware completely.

Spring Cleaning

Take a day or two before moving in to give your house a good thorough clean from top to bottom. It is best to get this done before your belongings arrive so you aren’t stuck migrating around furniture. Start by tackling rooms that collect the most dirt such as the kitchen and bathroom. Buy new cleaning supplies like brooms, mops and sponges to get the best results.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Don’t underestimate the power of paint! A fresh coat can change the shape, size and atmosphere of a room all at once. It is also a great budget friendly way to add personal style to a space. Generally, light, cool colours make a room feel bigger whereas dark, warm colours tend to create a small, intimate setting. Once you have selected a colour scheme to match your taste, paint away!

Feng Shui

Create a happy well balanced home through feng shui decorating. The first rule in creating a good feng shui is eliminating all signs of clutter. Next, try incorporating as much natural and layered lighting as possible to make the room feel bright and airy. Finish the look by choosing the right colour scheme to match the mood you desire. For a more advanced feng shui, try adding dimension with shapes and texture.

Change the Landscape

Does your home have enough privacy and curb appeal? Consider adding fencing, trees, bushes and flowers to create a more private setting. Commemorate the year you arrived at your new home by planting a tree!

Have a Housewarming Party

Celebrate your new home with family and friends! Throw a gathering to show off your new living quarters and all the hard work you put in to making it your own. A housewarming is also a great way to meet your neighbours and get integrated into your new community.

Meet the Neighbours

The next time you see your neighbours, don’t be shy just say hi! All it takes is one friendly face to make a new setting feel more comfortable. Find out how long your neighbours have lived in the area and what they like or don’t like about it. Do they have a favourite restaurant or local shop? Are they married with young children? Perhaps a play date for the kids or double date for the adults is in your future! Ask these types of questions and you’ll find yourself not only building new connections for your family but getting acquainted with your neighbourhood at the same time. Who knows, you might be introducing yourself to a lifelong friend or at the very least someone to collect your mail while you’re on vacation.

Find Your Local Amenities

There are many free mobile apps that will search the surrounding town and nearby cities for all the local amenities available to you. Atlas also has a number of City Guides that provide you with all the essential information about your new city. These can be great resources to help you find things like your new favourite coffee shop or local recreation center and gym. Take advantage of our partnership with Welcome Wagon, a national Canadian service company designed to help families get familiar with their new community since 1930. Welcome Wagon offers personal visits, coupons to local stores and restaurants, organized events to meet your community and many more exclusive deals and services. Visit our Bonus Offers page to learn more about Welcome Wagon and more value added programs.

Transportation Options

Figuring out a new neighbourhood is a bit like finding your way through a maze. Take a walk or drive down the nearby streets to get familiar with the names of the roads. Map out how to get to and from important places like the local hospital, work, grocery store, pharmacy, gas stations, etc. Google Maps is a great tool to help you navigate throughout your city. With real time traffic updates, directions and route options, you will find your way around in no time.

Give It Time!

It’s important to realize that adapting to a new environment doesn’t happen overnight and it could take several months before you feel fully settled. There is no need to rush through or pressure yourself to feel comfortable right away. Take the time to enjoy the process of figuring out your city and truly make it your own.

Packing up the entire contents of your home can be quite overwhelming. You might be thinking to yourself, “Where do I start?”

The best way to tackle the anxiety of such a large project is to begin as soon as possible, stay organized and remember to take on one task at a time. To help make the process easier on you, we’ve created a start-to-finish guide on how to pack like a pro.

Gather Lots of Packing Materials

Before jumping into the actual packing, it is important to gather all the packing supplies needed to keep your belongings safe and organized. Doing this ahead of time will save your from unnecessary delays or disruptions. Some of the most basic supplies include:

• Sturdy boxes in a variety of shapes and sizes
• Bubble wrap/packing paper for wrapping breakables and filling small unused spaces
• Permanent markers
• Packing tape
• Scissors
• Labels
• Plastic baggies to keep small pieces together

You will be surprised at how quickly you use these supplies so don’t forget to stock up!

Purge

Go through each room and decide which items to keep, donate and toss. Keep in mind the layout and space you have to work with in your new home. Set aside all the items you will be donating and toss the ones that no longer have any use. Look at this process as a good spring cleaning that will leave you feeling lighter!

Start Packing a Low Traffic Room

Choose a room that isn’t used often such as a storage room or attic and start boxing rarely used items like seasonal décor, etc. As a general rule of thumb, always pack the items you seldom use first such as fine china in the kitchen or decorative pieces in the living room. The last thing you want to do is unpack a box before arriving at your new home to find something! Make sure to pack as much as you can in one room before moving onto another.

Weight

Be conscious of how much weight you are putting into each box sticking to 50 lbs. max per box. Control the weight by packing heavy items into smaller boxes and always make sure the lid closes flat so the boxes can stack properly in the moving truck.

Packing Items with Small Pieces

When disassembling furniture, packing electronics, etc. there will be small bolts, cords, knobs and pieces. It is very easy to lose or misplace these pieces if they aren’t packed properly. Use a plastic bag to keep all the loose items in one place making it easier to locate during the unpacking and reassembly process. Clearly label each bag so that you aren’t guessing what it belongs to! We recommend you have a “set up” box to put all the bags and pieces in.

Pack the Essentials Last

When packing a room you use all the time, make sure to leave your must have items to the very end; clothing, towels, toiletries, tissues, paper cups and plates, medication, etc. Pack the important, everyday items in a box clearly labelled as “essentials”. This box should ideally be carried with you to your new home. If it will be transported on the moving truck, set the box aside making sure it is loaded last and therefore the first to be unloaded at your new home.