Making a Successful Move with Your Pet

When making your moving plans, don’t forget to include your beloved pets. Although they present a new set of challenges, it doesn’t have to add to your stress if you take the following steps before your big move.

Visit the vet
Schedule a pre-move visit with your veterinarian for a checkup and to make sure that all vaccinations are current. Use this time to get copies of your pet’s records, a recommendation for a veterinarian in your new location, and possibly a tranquilizer to give your pet during transportation.

Research laws in new area
Research the requirements regarding animals in your new locality. Nearly every state has laws regarding entry of dogs, cats, horses, birds and other pets. For example, most states require interstate health certificates for dogs and horses coming from another state.

If you own an exotic animal such as a ferret or potbellied pig, check to see if it is allowed as a pet in your new city. Some states require an entry permit. You can obtain compliance information from the state veterinarian or other appropriate authority. It’s important to get this information well ahead of your move so that you can get any necessary examinations or documents.

Make sure your pet’s identity and rabies tags are current. You should also have a special travel identification tag just in case they become lost during the move. The tag should include the pet’s name, your name and new address, and an alternate contact.

Decide on transportation mode
Decide how you will be transporting your pet. Animals are not allowed on moving vans, so your choices are by car or air.

By car
If traveling by car, the American Animal Hospital Association suggests that you take your pet on short rides before the trip so that he can get accustomed to the movement. The day of the trip, don’t feed your pet for several hours before departure. It’s also a good idea to take him on a long walk before heading out.

Pack a travel kit to include food, food and water dishes, can opener, scooper, paper towels for clean ups, and plastic bags. You may also want to include a blanket to cover your car seats, plus treats and a favorite toy. If you are traveling with birds or other small pets, such as a hamster, make sure they are in a stable cage with proper ventilation. A kennel for cat or dog may also be a good idea.

If your trip will require an overnight stay, find out well in advance of your trip whether pets are allowed at the lodging of your choice. The website www.petswelcome.com is a great place to search for lodging that accommodates pets.

By air
Traveling by air definitely requires preplanning. Each airline has its own policy regarding pet transportation. In addition, there are federal requirements you must follow. For example, dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days. In addition, cages and containers must meet certain standards.

You need to decide if your pet will accompany you in the cabin or be checked as baggage, or shipped separately by air freight. Check with your airline to make sure that pets are allowed to travel in the cabin and obtain guidelines. The U.S. Federal Animal Welfare Act requires that pets traveling in the passenger cabin be in a carrier that can fit underneath the seat without blocking the main aisle. The container must remain stowed the entire flight.

If your pet will be transported as baggage or by freight, make shipping arrangements as far in advance as possible so that space can be reserved. It is recommended that you schedule a non-stop flight on a weekday. You also need to supply the air carrier written instructions for food and water.

Other precautions to take when transporting your pet by air include:

• Before traveling, get your pet accustomed to the kennel in which it will be shipped.
• Don’t give your pet solid food six hours prior to the flight. Providing water a few hours before the flight is advisable.
• Write your contact information on the container and make sure your pet is wearing a tag with the same information.

The Federal Aviation Administration (www.faa.gov) and Department of Transportation’s (airconsumer.ost.dot.gov) websites have valuable information regarding traveling with pets.

Transitioning to new home
Once you are in your new home there are some things you can do to help ease the transition for your pet. If you have a dog, take him for a walk immediately so that he can become familiar with the new area. Cats, on the other hand, have a tendency to run away searching for their old home. They should be kept indoors for several weeks until they become comfortable in the new home and familiar with its scents and noises.

Veterinarians also advise that you bring water from your old home, because a change in water sources can sometimes cause your pet to become sick.

Like humans, pets are can become stressed when change occurs. By planning ahead, you can help to make sure your pet has a smooth transition to its new environment.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Choosing the Right Home and the Right Community

If you are buying a home, one of the first things your real estate professional will do before taking you on home tours is interview you to determine the type of house you want, such as a 2,000-square-foot four-bedroom, split level with a formal dining room and two-car garage. But just as important is the type of community you want to live in. Knowing what your requirements are will help narrow your home search and save time.

To expedite the house-hunting process, start by making a list of the dream home factors that are most important to you and your family’s lifestyle. Consider style, location, proximity to work and schools, yard size, children in the community and, of course, price.

Price and location generally are the key factors you’ll use to identify the communities that best suit you. If you are moving within the same city, you may want to start your community search by getting in your car and exploring. There are also resources on the Internet that let you compare communities.

You’ll want to ask yourself critical questions, such as: Do you dream of something quaint and charming that can only be found in an older area? Or, do you prefer everything new? Are you willing to sacrifice size and space for architectural detailing? What about drive and commute time to the office and schools? Will you forgo the number of bedrooms and a big yard for proximity to a lake or other recreational areas?

Whether you have children or not, buying a home in a community with good schools is important. It not only adds value to your property, but also is an attractive feature when and if you decide to sell. There are plenty of resources available to get information about schools within the communities you are considering. Various Internet sites offer school reports and profiles. They provide statistical data such as graduation rates, college-bound percentages, and standardized test scores. You can also learn about special programs the schools offer. In addition to these reports, many schools have their own Web sites you can peruse. And of course you can always talk to people in the area or take a tour of the school.

Additional factors you’ll want to consider during your community search are crime, recreational activities, proximity to shopping and restaurants, and other specific family needs.

Once you’ve narrowed your search to two or three communities that fit your price range and lifestyle, make comparisons of price and sales activity. Your real estate professional can help you determine which communities are most sales-worthy at present, and which are more likely to continue to be.

There are many factors involved in selecting the right community for you and your family. Discuss your options with your real estate professional. This will provide the information he or she needs to help you find property listings to tour. Remember, a targeted approach to house hunting is less time consuming, less expensive and more efficient.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Helping Your Children Through Your Family's Move

Moving is an exciting time full of commotion that can be tough on everyone, including the children. The impact the move will have on kids usually is age-related. Babies, toddlers and young children tend to deal well with moving, while adolescents may resent and resist the move. Here are a few timeless tips that may help all families on the move:

• Clearly explain why you’re moving. Children like to be in the loop and talking to them about the move, what it means and what it will entail can help limit move-related anxiety.
• Familiarize the children with the new location by providing them with exciting information about the area. Some useful tools include maps, news stories and pictures. Highlight some of the location’s points of interest that you think your children will appreciate, like an amusement park or nearby lake.

• Make sure everyone has packed and clearly labeled their most-used items and keep these items easily accessible. For a small child, this could include a few favorite toys or a security item. Older kids may not be able to survive without certain electronics or favorite clothing items.

Moving Babies and Toddlers

Babies and toddlers typically are easy to move, but they also can become confused or scared. Consider the following tips for them:

• Pack their rooms last and keep favorite toys and other must-haves close at hand.

• Try to stick to established routines like lunchtime and naptime.

• Once in the new house, young children may need to be reminded about which household appliances are dangerous and other safety precautions or rules they learned at the previous house.

Moving Preschoolers and School-Age Children

Kids this age can get excited about moving and may be eager to help. If you’re moving with school-age children, consider the following tips:

• Let the children help pack their own rooms and once you’re in the new house, let them help decorate and arrange their new rooms.

• Locate the recreational facilities and children’s group activity centers. Once you’re in the new location, enrolling your children in group activities can help them quickly make new friends.

Moving Adolescents

Adolescents are deeply involved in their social network. Child development experts suggest these kids receive news of the move as soon as possible. They will need more time to get used to idea and to say good-bye to their friends. Some other tips to consider:

• Spend time together getting to know the new area by driving around and noticing what other kids are doing and wearing. Discuss how you can help your child “fit in.”

• If your child is a senior in high school, some child-development experts suggest letting the child stay behind to finish the school year. These experts emphasize that this decision only makes sense if your child’s living conditions will be appropriate and safe.

Moving is an exciting time when families tend to work together to make sure the adventure goes smoothly. Your real estate professional has helped many families move and is a great resource for more information about moving with children.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Is Your Partner Relocating? Tips to ease the stress

A new career opportunity sometimes means that your family will need to relocate to another town. The decision to move is often arrived after careful consideration of various factors including the other partner’s career; the effect on the children’s educational and recreational activities; and financial issues. In addition, it often means leaving behind family and friends.

If you are the “trailing” partner, it may fall to you to get the new home up and running, the kids in schools, and possibly find a new position for yourself. This can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help relieve the stress of relocation and turn your move into a successful endeavor.

Take your time.
As with all moves, there are so many things you need to do before making a house your home. From dealing with utility companies, to unpacking and decorating the home, to finding a new doctor, your to-do list will seem endless and you can easily become overwhelmed. Don’t try to accomplish everything at once. Make a list and divide it into three categories: immediate, secondary and down the road. Set your own timetable. Remember, you are the boss of this project, so the only person you have to please is yourself.

Get out and meet people.
More than likely, you won’t know many people in your new community. Your partner will have an opportunity to build relationships with coworkers. You, however, will have to find other ways to meet people. Besides introducing yourself to neighbors, find a place of worship, volunteer in a community organization, join a social club or gym, or just say hello to people. Ask your real estate professional to recommend organizations.

Reevaluate your career goals.
If you had to leave a job behind, check to see if your partner’s company offers any employment assistance for relocating partners. Many companies have formal and informal programs, offering as little as resume support to as much as arranging job interviews.

Your real estate professional can also be a great resource. He or she usually has some insight on the area’s job market and may be able to give you names of career counselors or leads to firms that are hiring.

If you’ve desired making a career change, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. You may even want to consider an entrepreneurial career that you can take anywhere.
And, if you decide to stay at home, consider fulfilling some personal goals such as advancing your education, starting a new hobby or volunteering.

Most importantly, don’t push yourself by setting unrealistic goals. Moving is a process and it will take time for you to get acclimated to your new home and community. Make this move not only a golden opportunity for your partner, but for yourself as well.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.