How to change voter registration after moving

After completing a successful house move, you’ll still have a long list of essential things to do – from tackling unpacking to changing your address, registering your car, finding new health care providers for your family, finding a good school for your children, and so on.

One such major post-move task that you may forget about is to change your voter registration after the move. Keep in mind that you should re-register or change your voter registration information anytime you’ve changed your name or you’ve moved permanently. It’s simple: when you move, your address changes too, and by law, you’re not permitted to vote in more than one place.

Read on to learn how to update voter registration after moving – a necessary step to ensuring that you won’t find out, all of a sudden, that you’re ineligible to vote when you make your way to the polls at Election Day.

WHEN to re-register or change your voter registration information
Unless you no longer wish to be a voter – in which case you’ll need to cancel your voter registration, you’ll need to update your voter registration when you move.

It’s important to understand that you can’t vote in more than one place, meaning that when you register to vote in a new location, you’ll also need to provide your previous address so that your new election office can inform your old election office to cancel your voter registration with them.

You just moved home, are you still registered to vote? It depends. Now, if you’ve moved within the same county, then you’re required to fill in a new voter registration form in order to update your registration address.

On the other hand, if you’ve moved to a new county OR relocated to a new state, then you must re-register to vote in your new city or town. That is true unless you’ve moved to North Dakota – the only U.S. state that does NOT require citizens to register when they want to become eligible voters.

To check your voter registration, visit Vote.org (Are You Registered to Vote?) to verify your voter registration online.


HOW SOON to update your voter registration after the move
As you can imagine, there are voter registration deadlines and the worst part is that those deadlines are different for each state. In any case, you’ll need to know how much time you’ve got to take care of this task – should you do it right away or can you afford to postpone it a few weeks until you’ve finished with the most pressing tasks in your post-move to-do list?

In most states, the voter registration deadline varies between two and four weeks before an election – federal, state, and local elections, as well as primary, general, and special elections. However, some states do allow for same-day voter registration. As mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t worry about your voter registration status if you’ve just moved to North Dakota.

To find out the Election Dates and Deadlines in the state you just moved to, visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and plan accordingly.

HOW to register to vote after a move
You can choose between 3 ways to change your voter registration after moving: in person, via snail mail or online. And depending on the state you just moved to, you may have all three options to register to vote available to you, or you may have only some of them.

So, make sure you’ve included the task of changing voter registration in your post-relocation checklist. Here’s how to do it:

Option 1. Register to vote IN PERSON
If you have enough time, visit your local election office in person and fill out a voter registration application form. Some states will also allow you to update your voter registration information at other public facilities such as the DMV offices, recruitment centers of the U.S. Army, or state or county public assistance offices.

Visit this page to find the state and local election offices where you can complete your in-person voter registration.

Option 2. Register to vote via MAIL
Another way to register to vote after moving to another state is to do it by snail mail. To do so, you’ll need to fill out the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can download the Form in 9 other languages besides English: Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bengali, and Khmer.

How you fill out that form is up to you: you can print it out first and then fill in the required information by hand, OR you can complete it on-screen and then print it out. The important thing is to follow the state-specific instructions on page 3 of the Form.

Once you’ve filled out the form, sign your name whenever indicated and mail it to your state and local election office where it will be duly processed. When mailing the form, make sure the envelope has the proper amount of postage in order to reach its destination.

Option 3. Register to vote ONLINE
Without a doubt, the easiest and most convenient way to change your voter registration information after moving is to do it ONLINE.

Unfortunately, not all states offer online voter registration yet. At the moment, a total of 37 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia, offer you the chance to register to vote online. To check whether your state is one of the states with online voter registration, visit the Online Registration Page of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Updating voter registration online is basically the same process as filling out a paper application and mailing it to your state and local election office for processing. The only difference is that you, as a voter, fill out that form electronically, and then that paperless form is reviewed and if confirmed to be a valid request, is then sent to the corresponding election officials.

Visit the Can I Vote page to begin your online voter registration process.

It’s interesting to note that the state of Arizona is the innovator in paperless voter registration – it implemented its registration system back in 2002.

Regardless of which of the three voter registration methods you’ve chosen, you will be asked to present a valid ID that confirms that you are a resident of that state. Each state requires different voter IDs so it’s good to be prepared. Check the voter ID requirements of your state on the Vote.org’s page Voter ID Laws.

Keep in mind that it’ll take a few weeks for your voter registration information to be processed. Then, it’ll be another 5-7 weeks before you receive your voter registration card in the mail.

What To Expect & What Not To Do When Movers Pack For You

Packers are generally highly experienced employees of a moving company. They have years of experience in packing household goods; they move very quickly and efficiently; they are tasked to pack tightly and carefully; and their goal is to pack each carton to capacity without either over packing it (making it too heavy) or under packing it (more paper than needed). They have been trained to meet high industry standards and, in most cases, can make packing look easier than it is. When packers enter your home, they will walk with you and listen to any concerns you may have for special care items. Once they have a good understanding of what needs to be done, they will move to pack your home quickly.

Here are some common questions about the process:

What will they do?
The first step is to protect your home. They will normally start by protecting your floors. Next they will bring packing material, cartons, tape and paper inside your home. They then will most often split into different rooms of your home. One person may work in your kitchen while another may begin in one of your bedrooms. The packers will not mark individual items on the cartons; they will only identify the room of the house the carton comes from. If you want to notate items on a carton for your own convenience, that’s something you’ll need to do. At the end of a full day, two professional packers should be able to effectively pack between 100-150 cartons.

Will my things be damaged?
Good packers have been trained to wrap and protect items by specific placement inside a box or carton. This does not mean that items are never broken, as many different circumstances can influence whether or not something ends up breaking, but damage is much less common when using a professional packer than when you pack yourself.

How do they pack so fast?
Packers do not have any sentimental attachment like you do to your items, so they are able to function in their roles much like a robot – very systematically. Emotions, memories and decisions on what goes and what stays is not something that concerns them so they can effectively complete their job in a much shorter period of time. It will be important that you have a clear idea of what is going and what is not going prior to packing day because, if not, it becomes virtually impossible for packers to adjust and it becomes a costly process to you if you are changing your mind on what to take and what to leave behind while packers are working in your home.

Do I need really need to be there while packers are packing?
Simply, yes. You do need to be present for your packing. You should also make sure that children and pets are not in or around the packers as this can slow the job and create unsafe distractions. There are also often parts and pieces that will be lying loose while in the process of disassembly and packing. This could be considered hazardous to the safety of children and pets, so it’s best to make sure they’re occupied somewhere else.

How do they know what to pack and what to leave?
It is important to understand that packers will never try to determine what is trash or which items that should not be packed. They will enter your home and pack it as they find it. It’s best, then, that you are ready for their arrival by ensuring that all trash, newspapers, magazines and items for Goodwill that you do not want to move have been removed from your home prior to the day of service. You’ll also want to make sure your laundry is clean and removed from the washer and dryer, and that your dishwasher is empty. Remember, packers pack what they see throughout the home so packers will not check the washer, dryer or dishwasher. Lastly, If you intend to take any items with you personally, set aside a room or closet for those items and label that room as “do not pack” or “going with us.”

How do they fill every box?
There may be times when your packers have completed the packing in a room they are working in and will not have filled the carton. In this case, they will continue to place articles from another location into that carton to properly fill the carton to capacity. This is standard and customary, and helps to prevent damage to items inside the box. You may notice this when you are unpacking your items at your final destination, so just know that it’s all part of the process.

Who determines when everything is done and packed?
At the end of the day, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything that needs packed has been packed prior to releasing the packing team. In order to do this, you should walk through your home with your team lead and open all cupboards, cabinets, closets and drawers. Look at all shelves in the pantry and closets. Once your packing team has left, any unpacked items are then your responsibility to prepare prior to the driver’s arrival. If you ask your driver to pack items, he or she will normally require payment for it; these are services that are normally considered to be above what was quoted for your packing team.

Will I like it?
If you are prepared properly, you’ll love the experience. How great is it to not have to pack before you move? Simply put, it’s awesome! In order to maximize the stress-reduction effect, though, it requires your advance preparation because it may not happen exactly like you thought it might. Any moving company wants you to be ready for their arrival and you should feel free to communicate openly with your moving consultant and/or relocation coordinator with any questions throughout the process so they can help you make the most of your upcoming move.

Lastly, and just to help make each packing job the best it can be, here are some pro tips:

You may want to label the bedrooms with children’s names or other names that mean something to you so that the packer will know the name to place on cartons packed into that room.
Consider having some zipper bags available for screws, nuts and bolts needed for any items that are disassembled. Packers will normally provide a box for parts, so aside from the nuts and bolts from disassembled articles, this carton is a good place to put all remote controls and a cordless telephone so that you will know where to find them when the driver delivers your shipment.
If you have items that are of special significance to you, address those items with your moving consultant and your team leader upon their arrival so they can be prepared to handle them with special care.
Be prepared to identify items that cannot be packed and remove them from your home prior to packing day. Examples include fingernail polish remover and liquid cleaners. Your moving consultant and/or your coordinator will review this complete list with you. Should you have any questions they can address them with you in advance of packing day.
Nancy Blegen is an experienced customer service manager for Bailey’s Moving and Storage, which serves customers looking to move to or from Utah and Colorado.

What To Watch Out For During Summer Moves

Summer offers lots of daylight and warm temperatures that can make moves easier, but there are a few season-specific hazards to watch out for on moving day as well.

Bad weather can rear its ugly head, so make sure to have a lightweight raincoat or poncho on hand, as well as some extra towels. Summer is also a perfect time to carry invasive species from one area of the country to another, so carefully inspect belongings to make sure you aren't bringing any unwanted guests. Finally, have loose breathable clothes and lots of water on hand in case moving day is especially hot.

To make your summer move a success no matter the conditions on the big day, speak to the experts at Atlas.

Palletizing Boxes and Crating Machinery

For packing, sometimes you need to move more than you were expecting. If you are, say, a small ice cream shop, you might start thinking about how you would move all of your machinery to and from your new location. A scientist, perhaps – then who is going to Pack and Crate your telescopes in the most safe and attentive fashion?  The owner of an arcade paradise – then who’s gonna play the game of crating and shipping your cabinets? These clients and more have worked with Packing Service, Inc. ever since 2003.  Crating Machinery big and small, we are go-getters in the moving industry that will get you in and out in no time. From Palletizing Boxes to packing furniture for shipping, we got you covered. Whatever you think of, we can probably ship it with a Flat Rate Quote to boot. We are Crating Machinery based on the item’s weight and height. If you decide to work with us, you’ll definitely hear that question a lot, along with how much of it will you pack and when you need it. We want to work on your schedule, deciding how expeditious the Pack and Crate process must be for your earliest convenience. We pack china, furniture, kitchens, and are palletizing boxes, machinery and more for both domestic and international shipping. When you work with Packing Service Inc, we make sure that you are getting the best moving experience around. Life can be pretty hectic, and things go awry all the time. Let us work with you to practice the best methods of Crating Machinery with expert packers and movers at your front door working how you want them to. Why not Pack and Crate with the best? We are palletizing boxes and equipment for all of our awesome customers, ensuring our 97% Customer Satisfaction Rating. The sky’s the limit for your next move. Don’t be bound by companies only working in your country or city. Packing Service, Inc. is the go-to when it comes to Pack and Crate. We are palletizing machinery for a flat rate quote, and all we need is your information and more to get started.

Why Choose Firemen Movers as a Reliable Storage Company in Toronto?

Moving presents many challenges, both foreseeable and unforeseen. While you may hope to be able to get all your valuable possessions into your new home on schedule, it may be necessary to use a storage company in Toronto for moving and storage solutions.

Why Do You Need a Storage Company?

Besides having an excessive amount of items, there are many other reasons why you may need storage services. If you plan on travelling, if there are delays in taking possession, or if all of the living areas of your new home aren’t completely ready when you need to move in, then a storage company can come to your rescue.

You might have boxes of items that you don’t want or need to move right away, and that will require a safe, secure, and flexible storage option. Storage services can be extremely helpful in this case.

Storage Services We Offer

Firemen Movers is pleased to be able to offer storage options that fit all of your needs. Gain peace of mind from the many precautions we take to ensure your possessions remain in perfect condition. We have a secure vault that is located inside of a heated warehouse that has modern security systems and is monitored 24/7 by closed circuit video cameras.

Temporary Storage

If you need to keep your items somewhere for a short period of time, then our temporary storage solution is a great answer. We have flexible size options from 35 feet and up, and offer seamless pick up, storage, and delivery of your items. You also have the option of extending your storage as needed.

Long-Term

There are several factors to think about if you know that your items will be in storage for an extended period of time. Considerations like having a temperature-controlled, secure facility are of critical importance for long-term storage solutions. You also need to have access to your items on an ongoing basis. Firemen Movers Inc. offers all of these options, and much more with our long-term storage plans.

Benefits of Choosing Firemen Movers as a Reliable Storage Company

Choose Firemen Movers for all your storage solutions within the Greater Toronto Area. Remember that with us, the first two weeks of storage are free. In addition to being able to provide both short-term and long-term storage services, we also offer free moving blankets for your items while they are in storage so that all your items can remain wrapped up safely.

We are a company with over ten years of experience in moving people’s valuables throughout Ontario. Our reliable, professional movers know how to put special care and effort into each aspect of moving. We also have many pragmatic solutions from storage to delivery that can save you time, headaches, and stress when dealing with your move. At Firemen Movers, we offer support for each phase of your move. Contact us today for more information or to get a quote for our services.

How to File a Complaint Against Movers: The 6-Step Complaint Process

The home moving process is rather unpredictable and a relocation success rate of 100% is rarely attainable. No matter how carefully you research your movers when planning your upcoming move, you just can’t have complete control over all aspects of the house move.

For instance, you may hire a moving company and trust their professionalism and experience only to be left disappointed by their service, attitude, or both. But while largely inconsiderate or plain rude movers is something you may be willing to dismiss for the sake of avoiding any confrontations, a late shipment, lost or damaged belongings, or overcharging is a reason enough to seriously consider filing a claim against your movers.

If you’re really unhappy with your moving company and you strongly feel that they should be held responsible for their actions, then you should do what’s necessary to seek your consumer rights. Be proactive!

Follow the next 6 steps to learn how to file a complaint against movers.

WHY file a complaint against a moving company

There are several good reasons why you may want to formally complain about movers and packers – formally because if you complain only to your friends about how you were wronged by a moving company, you’ll probably get the sympathy of your pals but nothing else – and definitely not an actual resolution of the issue.

The 3 most common reasons WHY you may wish to lodge a formal complaint about a moving company are:

Movers were late for delivery

This is one of the most common reasons for disputes between professional movers and consumers. If your movers are late, first, double check the delivery date marked on the Bill of Lading. If the date is correct and your movers are late for delivery, contact the moving company at once and request more information.

Your movers should have been here A LONG TIME AGO. It’s time to stop looking at your watch and do something about it.

There’s no need to panic here as the nature of the delay may be out of your movers’ control – inclement weather, technical issues with the truck, and so on. Or it could be just a scheduling error. In any case, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions and just wait until you gather more information about why your movers have not arrived yet.

When speaking with the head office of the moving company, don’t forget to mention that the late delivery has caused you great inconvenience and that you intend to demand compensation for the lost time and any extra costs.

Movers damaged or lost your belongings

Damaged goods and missing household items are two very common reasons to file a complaint about a moving company. You must inspect your boxes, furniture pieces or any other type of items as soon as they are delivered to the new home. Check them against the detailed home inventory list and if something is missing, then notify your movers immediately WITHOUT signing the Bill of Lading.

Also, do a quick inspection for visible damage of your household items. Note that there usually isn’t enough time for thorough inspection at the time of delivery so you can do it after your movers are gone. Simply note down any damage in the inventory list, make photos as proof, and then contact the moving company to inform them and work out a solution.

If you have purchased adequate moving insurance prior to the move, then the complaint process should be much easier.

Movers overcharged you

Before you agree to hire a moving company, always request at least 3 cost estimates from various movers. Doing so will protect you from a possible low-ball estimate – a fraudulent technique where a moving company offers a very low quote with the purpose of securing the job, and then it demands an amount that is much higher than the original offer.

The common scenario used by bad movers is to make up “credible” reasons for demanding more money from you – unexpected difficulties, higher risks when handling bulkier items, hidden fees and charges customers you not aware of, and a number of other scamming techniques. Worst of all, a rogue mover could hold your goods hostage and demand much more money than agreed as ransom in order to release your items.

In short, file a complaint against your movers if you do feel you were overcharged.

The 3 relocation scenarios above are bad enough to make you want to make a complaint about a moving company. Other possible reasons to seek your rights as a shipper of household goods include:

• 
  

  The movers damaged your priceless antique china cabinet. Now WHAT?
  the movers were very late for pick-up;
• the movers handled your items carelessly and caused minor or not-so-minor damage to your prized possessions;
• the movers did not do enough to protect your home and, as a result, minor or serious property damage was caused;
• the movers showed blatant rudeness and disrespect toward you or other members of your family;
• the movers deliberately worked very slowly and had too many breaks in order to prolong the duration of the move (usually the case of local moves where the price is calculated on an hourly basis);
• the movers did something that’s not listed here, and that something is totally unacceptable for you as a consumer of relocation services.

How to file a complaint against a moving company in 6 steps

Once you are sure you have a good reason to file a moving claim against your moving company, it’s time to do it without delay. Filing a claim with movers is a 6-step process that escalates with each following step.

Hopefully, you won’t have to go any further than the initial step.

Step 1. File a complaint with your moving company

The very first thing you should do in case of an unresolved issue with your mover is to contact them and try to resolve that problem peacefully. A peaceful resolution will save both parties a lot of time, money, and most importantly – nerves. So, speak with your moving company and state your case calmly and objectively, and provide as much evidence as possible.

You may need to file a claim against your mover in writing so that the complaint can become official. Try to control the situation by not becoming too angry, aggressive or abusive because that would only complicate things. In case you’re dealing with a reputable moving company, your claim should be processed fairly quickly with satisfactory results.

However, if your movers ignore you or act as if nothing happened, then it’s time to proceed to Step 2.

Step 2. Write a moving review

Writing a consumer review about your moving company may be the extra step you need to reach an agreement with the pros. Moving companies are fully aware that many people use the Internet to find good movers and check movers’ online reviews before they can make up their mind which company to hire. So, a bad moving review online is not something to be taken too lightly.

Rate your moving company’s services and write your side of the story in a detailed and objective way. The great thing about consumer reviews is that the mover in question can provide their version of what happened under your review, which can often be the beginning of proper communication between you and the company.

Do not underestimate the negotiating power of moving reviews! Ultimately, if you and your mover reach a reasonable solution that satisfies both sides, then you can modify or even remove the bad review from the moving companies reviews website.

Currently, the best websites where you can leave a moving review about a moving company are MyMovingReviews and Yelp.

Step 3. File a complaint against your mover with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Seek your rights as a shipper of household goods and file a complaint against your bad movers.

If your movers did not pay much attention to the formal complaint you filed with them and did not care about the bad reviews you left about them, then it’s time to inform the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) about the case.

File a claim with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) about possible issues connected with final overcharging, lost or damaged household items, failure to deliver the goods by the date on the Bill of Lading, or problems with the license or insurance of the moving company. After your complaint is lodged, the FMCSA will demand that the mover acknowledge your claim within 30 days, with an additional period of 120 days to either resolve or deny the claim.

File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation by filling out the Household Goods Consumer Complaint form or by calling the FMCSA’s hotline at (888) 368-7238 (Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST).

When submitting the complaint against your mover over the phone, a qualified government official will help you do it properly. Once accepted, your formal claim will be registered and noted in the moving company’s public record.

How to file a moving fraud complaint (United States Department of Transportation)

Step 4. File a complaint against your mover with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

What you need to do next is to lodge a formal complaint about your mover with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can do that online through their convenient moving company complaint page or you can visit personally one of their nationwide offices should you happen to live close to one.

After your complaint is officially lodged, the BBB will contact the moving company in question within 48 hours, which will then give the mover 14 days to come up with a reply to the pending claim. In the end, you will be informed about the result of your complaint by a BBB representative.

It’s good to know that in most cases, claims filed against moving companies with the Better Business Bureau will get resolved within approximately one month.

Step 5. File a moving claim against your mover with the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)

You’ve already set the wheels in motion, so you’re strongly recommended to go all the way. The next stop on your mission to seek justice is to submit a complaint about your moving company with the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). You can do that easily by visiting AMSA’s website and submitting a complaint about your moving company.

Use this form to submit a complaint with AMSA that regards a shipment delay, the quality of relocation service, or another type of complaint that won’t fall within the guidelines for arbitration.

If you do happen to have a dispute with your moving company regarding lost or damaged items during the move or additional charges billed to you by the moving company after the move was over, then you will need to fill out the Request for Arbitration Form.

Once you’ve lodged a complaint about your mover with AMSA, the latter will contact the moving company under AMSA’s Dispute Settlement Problem and will try to obtain a written explanation of the unfortunate circumstances that triggered the complained in the first place.

You won’t be charged for filing a complaint with the American Moving and Storage Association.

Step 6. Seek resolution in a small claims court

There are many good movers out there… you just need to find and hire them.

Sometimes the above 5 steps for complaining about movers prove insufficient to resolve the issue you’re having with your moving company. If you’re not satisfied with the results of your formal complaints, then you may be willing to try the final step – to seek justice at a small claims court for whatever went wrong during the house move.

However, before you decide to go all the way, make sure you consult with a legal professional because the legal fees of a small claims case can easily go way above what you could receive as compensation from the moving company.

IMPORTANT: Prevention is still the best medicine.

Make sure you know how to find a reliable moving company so that you won’t have to file a complaint against your movers after the move. It takes exactly 7 steps to find movers you can really trust.

Also, click here to learn the best ways to avoid moving scams and thus protect your move.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Historic Home

From its quirky features to its unique charm, there’s plenty to love about a historic home. For those thinking of purchasing one, there’s also plenty to consider. As anyone who’s watched HGTV can tell you, owning a historic home often comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of buying a historic home.

Pros

• They offer plenty of character and charm – Stepping inside a historic home is a bit like stepping back in time. From the ornate fireplaces and antique door knockers to the intricate crown molding and vintage built-ins, there are so many fun details to love about an old home. It may even take months (or years) before you notice them all.
• They are packed with history – In addition to the charming characteristics, a historic home houses its own interesting history. Within the home’s walls have lived dozens of owners – all with their own unique stories. If you’re a history buff or someone who loves the idea of a house having “good karma,” you will love living in a historic home.
• You are helping to keep this history alive – By purchasing a historic home, you are helping to keep history alive. Over time, you’re sure to keep up with the home’s necessary repairs and needed updates. You may even add on to the home or renovate its interior. When you make the home your own while preserving it at the same time, you’re breathing new life into a historic treasure.
• They come in a wide range of stunning architectural styles – If a cookie cutter home isn’t for you, you’ll enjoy living in a house with a distinct old-world style. Historic homes are often constructed in stunning architectural styles, including Mid-century, Georgian, Colonial, Federal, Victorian, Spanish and more.
• You may get financial benefits – According to Porch.com, if you’re thinking of buying a historic home “state and local governments may offer you tax incentives or lower interest loans to restore these historical homes or just to purchase and preserve them.” Additionally, given that many historic districts require homeowners to keep houses looking a certain way, there’s a greater likelihood that the neighborhood’s property value won’t drop (think: the neighbors won’t be allowed to construct an absurdly ugly add-on to their house.).

Cons

• Historic homes often require a lot of work – If you’re buying a historic home, you better have a toolkit ready. Given that most historic homes are at least 50 years old, they’re going to require a lot of work. From water damage and electrical issues to structural problems and termite damage, historic homes that haven’t been properly preserved will most certainly fall into disrepair. If you decide to take on this kind of historic home, just make sure you have the finances to restore the property.
• Designated historic districts come with strict rules – Perhaps the biggest con to owning a historic home is that owners must adhere to strict rules and guidelines laid out by local laws. That means owners may not be able to change or add-on to their home without the permission of the city. Having to cut through this extra red tape just to change a home’s exterior is the reason why many choose not to move to a historic home. To find out the specific rules of a designated historic district in your town, I recommend contacting your city’s development office.
• There may be mismatched renovations and updates – If multiple families have lived in a historic home over the course of 50 to 100 years (or more), you can only imagine how many changes have been made to the house. From kitchen renovations to home additions, there’s a good chance at least some of the updates don’t match. Especially if the repairs were made in different decades (think: a 60’s style kitchen with an 80s style bathroom).
• Your insurance may be expensive – Hate to break it to you – but if you’re buying a historic home, your insurance could sky rocket. According to esurance.com, “many personal insurance companies don’t offer the type of coverage you’ll need to insure your home, meaning you often have to go with historic property insurance, which can be more expensive.” Additionally, an older home with structural issues (i.e. an old roof or outdated building materials) means your insurance rates could be higher.
• You may have unwanted surprises – Think: asbestos, mold or termites (oh my!). To avoid purchasing a home with these issues, have an experienced and reliable home inspector thoroughly inspect the home first. Chances are, historic homes that haven’t been properly preserved aren’t up to code. Unless you’re willing to take on a project, you’ll need to ensure that the historic home is a safe place to live (at the very least!).

How to know if your home is “historic”

What’s the difference between an old house and a historic house? The National Registry of Historic Places, managed by the National Park Service. It’s this official list that differentiates an old home from a historic home. Historic homes have been officially registered and designated as “historic” due to their age, architectural style and/or overall significance. When house hunting, make sure to ask your Realtor whether or not you’re looking in a designated historic neighborhood. As mentioned above, these districts often come with certain rules about what you can and cannot do to the outside of a house in that neighborhood. While this helps maintain the neighborhood’s overall look and appeal, many homeowners find the rules to be restrictive.

Should you buy a historic home?

Before buying a historic home, be sure to weigh the pros and cons mentioned above. If the joys of owning a historic home filled with its own history, charm and character outweighs the pain of possible repairs, high insurance rates and strict rules – then you have your answer. While historic homes are often considered “high maintenance,” owners will tell you that they are well-worth the extra time and effort required.

Ready to move?

If you decide you’re ready to take on a historic home, you’ll need the right movers to get you there. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!