Making the Move Easy for Your Pets

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homes for sale in Jacksonville FL, Jacksonville FL Real Estate, moving with pets, pets, tips for moving with pets

Moving is stressful. Organizing, packing, cleaning, scheduling… the number of tasks can seem overwhelming. One thing that makes the stress worthwhile is the idea that soon you’ll be settling into your new home.

But what about your pets? For them, moving is an extremely unsettling experience. While you know the big picture, your furry and feathered friends only see their world falling apart. This can result in stress-related behaviors or even illness. So how do you preserve your pets’ sanity during the change?

Here are some tips for moving with pets:

1. Pack gently and slowly. Nothing will stress out your animal more than a sudden uprooting of all they know. If possible, give yourself a long period of time to gradually box up your possessions. Whatever you do, leave your pets’ most cherished possessions and spaces untouched until the last moment.

2. Decide who will watch your pet during moving day. If you have a friend or new neighbor who is willing to pet-sit for you on moving day, take advantage of this opportunity. Preferably it will be someone your pet is familiar with. If all else falls through, consider using a service like rover.com to locate a pet sitter.3. Introduce your pet to the destination beforehand. Sometimes on a final walk-through before closing you might be able to bring your pet over to the new house for a “sniff test” of the property. It’s not even a bad idea to let them mark a bush or two outside on the sly so that when they arrive after moving day, the destination won’t feel quite as foreign. Walk the new neighborhood with your dogs and introduce them to neighbors you see along the route.

4. Check your new house for pet hazards. This might include lawn chemicals, pest poisons, escape holes in the fencing, or other formerly ignored danger zones.

5. Update all your pets’ ID tags and/or chips. You’ll need your new contact information (including your new vet) on collars, etc. Some pets will try to find their way to an old house after a move, so make sure if they get lost they’ll be returned correctly.

We want the transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone in your family. If you’re looking to buy or sell soon, let us help you and your animal companions find your next home: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside

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Need An Air Conditioner But Don’t Have Ducts?

As scorching or humid summer days approach, you may be second-guessing the purchase of that vintage or historic home you’ve had your eye on. In fact, in many places homes as new as 15 to 20 years may not have air conditioning. If your home doesn’t have ductwork and is missing the attic, basement or crawlspace to add it, what can you do?

In know, I know … visions of unsightly window air conditioners dance in your head and the though of giving up a window makes you wince. Be encouraged … other options exist to see you through the hottest days.

Ductless air conditioners

Used extensively in Europe and Asia, and often seen in hotels in the United States, a mini-split or ductless air conditioner mounts one unit on the inside wall and one unit on the outside wall. The inside unit blows cool air into the room and houses any climate controls and the outer unit that brings in the air and expels the “condensate” or moisture through a drain. Between the two systems run refrigerant lines, the power source and the tubing.

Mini-split systems work great for retrofitting an older home, or for adding air conditioning to a room addition not connected to the main ductwork. In fact, installation typically requires just a three-inch hole for the conduit to pass through. While often the two units mount back to back, if necessary, situating the outdoor unit as far as 50 feet away offers more flexibility. In fact, cooling rooms on the front of your home, but situating the condenser unit I a less conspicuous location allows for installation even in highly regulated neighborhoods.

While the systems themselves cost much more than a window unit—often $1500 to $2000 per 12,000 BTU/hour cooling capacity—energy savings could increase because there is less loss than a typical duct system and less air leakage than a window system. One additional advantage comes from the minimal exposure to pests through the small entry point into the wall.

Portable Air Conditioners

A portable air conditioner is a unit that houses the blower and condenser in a single unit. They expel warm air through a small vent duct placed in an exterior window. Some portable units have two ducts … one to bring in fresh air and one to expel warm air and moisture. Additionally, many have condensation trays similar to dehumidifiers that need emptying on a regular basis.

Some portable units make quite a bit of noise, and others weigh up to 85 lbs., so “portability” may be subjective.

Other options

If your climate’s hot or humid the whole summer, you’ll want to invest in some form of air conditioning, but in more moderate climates with just a couple weeks of hot days, consider cooling with more traditional methods like ceiling fans, tower fans or even better, a whole house fan. A whole house mounts in the ceiling at the home’s highest point … such as above the top of the stairwell landing … pulls air from windows through the house and vents into the attic. Ranging from $200 to $800, a whole house, high capacity fan runs more quietly and efficiently at lower speeds. Even at hotter temperatures, the moving air evaporates perspiration from the skin, allowing inhabitants to feel cooler.

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You know what else is hot?  The Hanley Home Team!  Please let us know how we can help you with all your real estate needs – 904-422-7626 Jennifer and Kevin Hanley, REALTORS – http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com – Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside