Moving Homes with Pets

If you’re a pet-owner looking to relocate soon, here are a few tips for you on how to make your beloved companion’s move as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Choose a pet-friendly abode and neighborhood. As much as it is crucial for your new home to be comfortable for you, your new home should be able to meet your pet’s needs as well. Some apartment and condo complexes prohibit pets, while busy streets can pose a risk to your pet should it be left unattended. Take some time and walk around the neighborhood to assess if it’s safe for your four-legged or feathered friend. Homes with ample yard space or are located near a park are great for pets such as dogs. Looking for a reputable veterinary clinic and emergency hospital near your new home is also advisable.

Schedule an appointment with your vet. Consult your veterinarian if your pet is in proper shape to travel. Getting shots for your friend is also a good move, as updated shot records might be needed for boarding and traveling. While you’re at it, make sure to get copies of your pet’s records and vaccination certificates. You’ll never know when you’ll need to show documentation. If you’re traveling long distances, ask your vet for a sedative and make sure you know how to give proper dosages. Stock up on your pet’s medications and food as well.

Make proper transportation reservations. If you and your companion are traveling by air, confirm your chosen airline if it accepts pets. If it does, then it’s important to verify the airline’s regulations and check the condition of the cargo area (especially if you’re traveling with a large pet). Being put in the cargo area is considered to be a stressful and dangerous mode of travel for pets, so make sure your pet is comfortable and has everything it needs. Notifying the captain or a flight attendant that pets are on board is also helpful. For more information on how to minimize the risks of having a pet in the cargo area of an airplane, see http://www.wikihow.com/Minimize-Risk-to-a-Pet-in-the-Cargo-Area-of-an-Airplane.

Recreate familiar home surroundings. Once you and your companion have finally moved to a new home, it’s important to make your pet feel comfortable as it might get frightened or stressed in new surroundings. It’s helpful to place familiar objects such as toys in spots or locations that are relatively the same as in your previous home. Stick to your pet’s established routine as well; if it’s used to eating twice a day, now is not the time to introduce a new feeding schedule. Remember, just like it takes time for you to adjust to new surroundings, your animal companion needs time, too.

Selling your home in Los Angeles? Focus on curb appeal

First impressions last – and it only takes a few seconds for you to make a good one. With homebuyers becoming more informed and discerning, you need to grab their attention by making sure that your home is putting its best foot forward.

To increase your home’s appeal and to help distinguish it from its neighbors, there are plenty of design and decorating ideas that you can apply. Here are some ideas that you might want to try:

1. Make it pop

An interesting pop of color is a great way to catch somebody’s attention and to make a home’s façade achieve instant appeal and character. One way to do this is by using bright colors like red, orange or yellow – just don’t be too heavy-handed about it. One of the most common ways homeowners apply this is by painting their front doors a bright color. You may also do something unexpected like adding colorful lawn fixtures and accessories. Maybe put some colorful plant beds of beautiful flowers like African bush daisies or other plants that are native to California.

2. Choose a focal point or highlight

One of the ways you can make your home stand out is by choosing a focal point. You can make use of outdoor landscape lighting or overhead light fixtures to highlight different parts of your home to create a dramatic effect. If you’ve got a landscaped front lawn, you may opt to highlight a plant or tree in your front yard, which creates an object of interest and helps to increase your home’s curb appeal.

3. Composing elements and accessorizing

Arranging elements in your home in a more symmetrical manner creates a balanced aesthetic, which is very pleasing to the eye. When it comes to accessorizing, you may add sculptures or garden fixtures like wind chimes or fountains and even install a lighted garden path to make your home more inviting and more dramatic in the evenings.