Simplifying your Move with an EZ Phone Number to Help Clean Up!

I hate automated electronic messages being left on my voicemail. Usually I hit delete before the first sentence is completed by the annoying mechanical voice. However, the other day, I actually listened to one that I received. It offered some pretty good information. It was from the Salvation Army offering to send a truck out to pick up donations.
In Anoka County, there are many charities offering pick up service for gently used clothing, furniture and household items. Many of these groups like the Vietnam Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Lupus Foundation and Courage Center come on a designated route on a rotating basis. The organization will mail or call to notify homeowners when a truck in the area and ask if they have any items that they would like to donate.

The Salvation Army however is has a new tactic for getting donations of clothing and furniture. They left this message: Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to arrange a pick up! Now that is an easy number to remember.

As a Realtor, I am often asked by sellers where to donate furniture and other household items. The Salvation Army is not only a great organization to consider, they have made it simple to remember how to schedule that pick up!

So after staging your home or if you have leftover items from your moving sale, donate to the Salvation Army by giving 1-800-SA-TRUCK a call. It's a great way to simplify your move!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

Rethink Recycling—Use the 2008 Recyclopedia!

An amazing resource arrived in mailboxes throughout Ham Lake and Anoka County recently. The 2008 Recyclopedia! An A-Z directory of where and how to recycle everything.

Need to know where to dispose of an old computer, florescent bulbs or hazardous waste? It’s in the guide. Want to donate furniture, eyeglasses or clothing? Several resources are listed. Considering composting in your own backyard? There is a step-by-step guide to get you started.





The Recyclopedia contains over 40 pages of information to help Anoka County residents reduce, recycle and reuse.

As a Realtor serving Ham Lake and the surrounding area of Anoka County, I see some clients in a cleaning panic prior to a move. They will often get a dumpster to do a mass clean up of the inside and outside of their home. With a little planning, many items could be recycled or reused rather than sent to a landfill.

If you are considering a spring move, get your hands on the Recyclopedia for a way to reuse your unwanted items. Anoka County resident? Remember your trash could be someone else’s treasure.


If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Our Move is on Hold—Our Senior Dog Just Isn’t Ready

Our family was planning to move to a new home this year…but for several reasons, we decided against it. It is a buyer's market in Minnesota making it a great time to buy a home. With so many options and incredible deals being made on existing homes and new construction all across the Twin Cities, we couldn’t wait to get out there and find our new dream home.

Although there were several reasons we put our move on hold, the biggest one was our dog, Tikki. The Australian Shepard mix we’ve had since he was a pup is now 15 years old and is a bit set in his ways. The Minnesota buyer’s market means that our home must be in tip top shape. As a Realtor in Anoka County of Minnesota, I know this better than anyone.

That means the carpeting and flooring must all be replaced as Tikki has spent many a day on his favorite spots on the rug and discolored them beyond cleaning. It means that the doors that our loveable old dog scratched at when he wanted to go out need replacing. It means that all the yellowed spots in the grass will need to be reseeding. But most of all it means we would have to find a place to put our senior dog during showings.

The home and yard repairs are something would be able to do easily. We have spent a decade with the same flooring so it is time to replace. The yard work would not be difficult. But finding a place for a 75 pound dog for every showing is not an easy task. Tikki is not an outdoor dog and doesn’t live in a kennel. He is not indoor kennel trained either. We used to keep him in our unfinished basement, but he couldn’t see out and damaged our door. So we put him in the garage but he won’t even walk near the garage door anymore--Just sits down and refuses to enter.
When we moved 10 years ago, we would take Tikki for walks during showings, but his days of long walks are over. If he could climb up, we would take him in the car. But at his age, we would need a special ramp and then train him to climb in and out.

Some sellers MUST move. So what should you do with your pets? This is a huge consideration for all pet owners. You must consider how your home will appear to potential buyers. Some of them may be afraid of dogs or allergic to cats. If your friendly cat greets an allergic buyer at the door, the showing will not go well.

Important Things for Sellers with Pets to Consider:

**Your very friendly pet may feel the need to protect your home and not be so nice to intruders viewing the home.
**Pets must be in a safe place. Preferably not at the home.
**If you must keep your pet in the home, put in a kennel.
**Consider having your pet stay with a friend, doggie daycare or petsitter during showings. (

**Pet odors must be eliminated.
**If your pet sheds, make certain that you vacuum prior to every showing.

My family loves our old Tikki-dog and we are not in a position where we have to move. So we decided to wait a few more years before relocating. I guess the buyer’s market isn’t such a bad thing when you have an older dog.
If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.



Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Is Moving Making YOU Crazy?--How to Lower the Stress

Change is difficult. Especially when the change is so big and personal as moving to a new home. While difficult, it is also an exciting time. Change opens doors and provides opportunities that staying put doesn’t allow. But when your children are leaving the only home they have ever known, no matter what positive spin you put on it, there is bound to be some stress. So how to you make a move without your entire family going crazy?





Educate Yourself—It is important for you to realize that when making a move there are some unknowns that will come into play. Sometimes things will seem out of your control as appraisers, inspectors and real estate agents enter your life and home. The sellers of your new home, the buyers of your home and your mortgage broker will make requests and decisions that will directly affect your life.



Understanding the process of purchasing a home and the steps to a smooth transaction will help considerably. A caring, experienced Realtor will lead you through the home buying/selling process while tying up the loose ends. Your Realtor can’t prevent all of the stress but a good agent can predict some of the common situations that arise. By explaining each possible scenario in a timely manner and providing options and alternatives, your Realtor will keep the process moving forward with minimal stress to you.



Prepare the Kids—If you have been in your home for even a few years, this may be the only home your children have ever known or can easily remember. As tough as the change is for you, it will be more difficult on them. It will take some time to adjust to the thought of coming “home” to a new house.



Be positive when announcing the move! Show excitement when talking about the new neighborhood and school. Don’t expect that to be mirrored in your children right away but stay upbeat. If possible, arrange a tour of the new school and visit to the neighborhood and home. If your children will be changing schools mid-year, find out the new teachers name and email address. (We are a very connected society now and all teachers have email!) Email the new teacher and ask that he/she email your child about fun things that are going on in the classroom.



Let the kids help pack their important belongings. Reassure them that all of their precious things will be safe until they are unpacked at the new house.



Email will work great for staying connected to old friends and neighbors too. Have a neighborhood going away party and take photos so your children remember their old friends. Have an address book available for everyone to write down his or her email as well as current mailing address.



Don’t Panic—Moving is a H-U-G-E change in anyone’s life. It ranks up there as one of the most stressful situations families face. Moving has caused the most levelheaded person to go a little crazy. Working with an experience Realtor in your corner can be quite calming. Just knowing that this is a professional who helps families buy and sell homes every day can relieve some stress. Realtors have been through this many times before and understand what a major change it is for your family. It is their job and goal for you to have a successful closing and move.



Be Flexible—Sometimes it may become hard to remember that there is another family on the other side of the transaction. Things will come up that weren’t foreseen by either party. Inspections reveal unknown concerns. Moving trucks arrive late. Appliances suddenly stop working.



We don’t live in a perfect world and things can, do and will change. To keep the process moving forward and stress to a minimum, you may be asked to be flexible. Remind yourself to take a step back and look at the big picture. By reviewing the entire problem with logic, not just emotion, a win-win outcome can be achieved for most situations.



Reward and Pamper Yourself—This is a tough process! When things start feeling totally out of control, it is ok to walk away for a few hours, literally. Take a walk with the kids to the playground. Go to a movie or out to dinner with friends. Order a pizza and sit outside on the deck visiting with neighbors. Head to the gym and relax in the whirlpool. After an hour or two, you will be ready to face that packing or project with renewed energy!

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Moving with Pets--Important things to remember!

Moving can be especially difficult on one of your most important, but often overlooked, family members: your pet. I often hear from clients that their pets begin acting up weeks before the actual move. The resulting behavior can cause destruction in the home you are selling as well as concern for the pet’s reaction in their new location. If Fido or Kitty is a senior pet, a new home can be particularly traumatic. How do you relieve your pet’s anxiety? Preparation is the key.

Before the Move

Visit the Veterinarian for a complete examination. Verify and document that all vaccinations are up-to-date. Inquire about medications for stress and the options of administering before or during the move depending on your pet’s particular needs. Keep copies of your pet’s medical records, including a current photo, in an accessible place.

Check homeowners association and local authorities for pet restrictions before purchasing your home. Many cities and neighborhoods have restrictions on the type, size and number of pets you are allowed to keep in a home. Requesting this information prior to making an offer can save the heartache of your beloved pet being restricted from your new home.

Keep to a regular routine. If your move will require the use of a carrier, find one of good quality that is sturdy, comfortable and insulated. It needs to be large enough to accommodate your pet and allow movement. Have it out in your house and use it routinely, so that your pet is familiar with his temporary home and comfortable in it.

Moving long distance and traveling by car? Many hotels are pet friendly but some are not. Plan in advance your route and check with area hotels for the ones that will allow your pet to stay with you. Your pet will appreciate the chance to get out of the carrier in the evenings and spend time with you.

Moving Internationally? Pets could require 6-12 months of surveillance or quarantine before being allowed into a different country. Check restrictions and make preparations well in advance of the move so there are no surprises for your family.

Day of the Move

Make sure your pet is safe. Keep in a safe room/kennel or at a trusted neighbor’s or pet sitter’s home while your belongings are being loaded into the truck. (A pet sitter directory is available at http://www.olddogpaws.com/ ). Make sure it is a place your pet is familiar with as to not create additional stress. If you do leave your pet in a room in your home, remember to check in frequently. Leave a litter box for cats and let dogs out on a leash for breaks to avoid accidents.

Identify your pet. Make certain that your pet’s collar or tags have current information with a cell phone number and/or the new home information so you can be contacted in the event of an escape.

Time to load the pet carrier. Put in your pet’s favorite blanket, toy or bed along with food and water for the trip. Remember a container of additional food and water in case of spills. It is a good idea to pack paper towels and wet wipes to clean up any messes from sickness or accidents during the ride. Don’t leave your pet unattended for more than a few minutes at a time in his transportation kennel.

At Your New Home Sweet Home

Expect some behavior changes as your dog or cat becomes accustomed to his new surroundings. Use as many familiar items from your pets past to make him feel at home. This is not the time to try out a new food or bring in the new pet bed. Bring in his old toys, dishes and blankets to make your old friend comfortable. With lots of love and attention, Fido and Kitty will be back to normal in no time.