Self Storage for Real Estate Agents

Never has a market been more competitive for real estate agents.  Houses are selling in Auckland like hot cakes at record prices but it would seem to win the right to sell, commissions are being dropped, incentives are being offered and you need a convincing package for your vendor to sign an exclusive.

Presentation, how can you present your offices at their best?

The whole deal is what it is all about, well kept presentation files, slick signage and access to home stagers or re-usable home decor to makeover a house at short notice for showings and open homes.  All of this can take up large amounts of space which unfortunately the majority of Auckland real estate offices don't have the space for.

Keeping your files safe and secure

Most real estate offices have boxes and boxes of files requiring safe, secure storage.   So with a lack of space where do real estate agents store? Usually in a reputable self storage facility. The costs are minimal, files are safe and you can still achieve a well organised space with easily accessible filing cabinets and alphabetised document boxes giving you the ability to keep your office clean and professional.  

Protect your investment, get rid of the clutter

Clutter is often the number one first impression guaranteed to turn potential clients off.  Keep all your signs, banners, brochures and promotional goodies in another part of your storage unit.  Signage takes up a huge amount of space and is easily damaged.  When you think of the cost involved in every open home with around 20-30 directional signs, lock boxes, brochures, banners and associated hardware it pays to keep as much as you can re-usable, clean and tidy.  

The extra edge

Often clients are looking for options to give them that extra edge.  Real Estate agents who can offer extra support to their clients by providing a safe secure storage unit to hold extra clutter while open homes are on can often mean the difference between a standard agent and one who is known for going the extra mile.  The additional commission when an uncluttered house sells for an inflated price more than pays for the space!

A real estate agent using self storage can also offer support to their clients looking to purchase a new home as well.  For many clients, during the transition period they will need to store their stuff and in this situation a real estate agent can refer a storage unit to the seller during that period, taking your estate service to the next level.  Having a great relationship with a self storage facility who offer cash back to realtors who bring business to them, can take the hassle out of real-estate work.  

Keeping your antiques and art safe in self storage

Whether you antiques and art are retained for precious memories or they are collectibles, when storing and transporting, you need to use extra caution to protect from damage and theft.

How to keep your antiques safe when packing

• Aquire a valuation for any good going into storage, you will be required by your storage company to purchase insurance while storing and may need to list some of these specific items on your insurance.
• Clean and dry thoroughly, this prevents airborne dust particles and mildew from staining and damaging your antiques whilst in storage.
• Treat each piece before storage e.g. for wooden antiques use a proper wood conditioner before storing to protect the integrity of the piece.
• Remove any loose or fragile parts to be wrapped separately and tape mirrors and glass.
• Only use acid-free paper when wrapping antique items
• Use layers of acid-free paper between layers of clothing and linen and where possible do not fold.
• Roll silverware individually in soft cotton clothes to protect from tarnishing.
• Cover or wrap furniture in a  protective layer and store each item separately.
• After items have been wrapped put extra fragile items into crates for extra protection.
• Remember you cannot go overboard with use of corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap or polystyrene peanuts to keep fragile items safe.
• Label everything and indicate correct orientation (this way up arrows).

How to properly pack art pieces

• Wrap every piece of art in acid-free polyester plastic specifically designed to store artwork.  
• Avoid using bubble wrap as the first layer as it may leave marks on your artwork.  
• Where possible use acid-free boxes specifically designed to store artwork. For expensive and fragile artwork it is worth the investment of custom built crates.
• Label all items correctly and indicate orientation, this is critical as framed painting may otherwise become dislodged and damaged.

Extra safety and security measures

• Choose a self storage facility that has individually alarmed units and pin code entry on security gates.
• Spend the money on purchasing a heavy duty lock.
• Ensure your insurance will fully cover your antiques and art while in insurance against theft, fire and flood damage.
• If unsure how to look after any antique or art items pop into a local dealer such as Antique Alley where they will be able to advise you on storage of each individual item. 

Lastly ... rest easy knowing you have done everything you can to keep your memories safe for future generations.

Seven tips to surviving a move with kids

As I was reading stuff.co.nz, there was an article about moving stress which had quoted some statistics as moving being relatively low on the stress scale.  As any of us know who have moved, it can be a hugely stressful affair, often made more stressful and logistically demanding when you add in the complications of some little angels posing as helpers.

If you have children and are thinking of moving here are our top seven tips to surviving a move with kids.

1.  Say goodbye to the house

For younger children especially, moving may be a stressful anxious time.  Let them go out with a bang, throw a goodbye party to the house sharing memories and visiting significant spots.  

2.  Give them work to do!

Bored helpers are similar to tornadoes when you are in packing mode.  Put them to work leading up to moving day so that they feel like they are a part of the move and to keep them busy.  Dependent on their age, they can help pack and label their own boxes, my daughter loves to draw pictures on any kind of box making her's instantly recognisable.  

3.  Let them pack their own bag 

I always let my kids bag take responsibility for packing their own suitcase with all the things they might need for the first night in their new house.  I write them a list to help them remember the things I want them to pack (e.g. toothbrush, change of underwear, the boring Mum things), but the rest is up to them. By letting them pack their own bag, they pick their favourite things which help them feel safe and secure in their new environment.  

4.  Negotiate a deal

I have found sticker charts with a list of jobs work well to keep them moving through the work are fantastic with the rewards coming in some of the tips below.  There has always been an extra reward if they are well behaved and helpful during the actual move, and when all else fails, I call in my Mum!

5.  Compile Activities do to during the actual move

It may seem obvious, but on of the best ways to keep kids entertained is to have plenty of things on hand for them to pass the time.  After forgetting to do this a couple of times and having my cellphone battery run down with my charger gone walkabout due to my disorganisation I now carry a minimum of the below.

• Activity pack with plenty of paper, scissors, glue, stickers and felt-tip pens. Stationery shops often have some great one ready made on special which can save you time.
• Travel Lego boxes, my biggest saving grace.  Take an old tupperware container or lunchbox, glue a baseplate in the lid and get the kids to choose their own lego pieces to create masterpieces on the move.
• Boggle, this is one of the greatest inventions for compact games on the move that keeps their competitive little minds engaged for hours.
• Books or the kindle (remember to charge it).  I have also found audio books great when they are getting tired and running low on energy.
• Not an activity but ..... plenty of food and water!

 

6.  Make a restaurant stop

With your kitchen packed up, a million and one things to do, packing nutritious meals other than snacks on the way is always the last thing on your list.  Kids love a stop at a family friendly restaurant (its a great reward for good behaviour) or even a picnic of fish and chips on the beach or in the park.

7.  Accept offers of help

When friends and family offer to help with the kids, bring you wine, dinner and breakfast or help unpack boxes, accept it with open arms.

Eleven easy storage hacks to create space in your wardrobe

Being able to create enough space to fit everything in your wardrobe can feel like a never ending battle, especially in New Zealand with our love of outdoors and adventure sports, never mind the ever changing seasons and temperatures.  However, there are some quick easy storage hacks you can to to create more space in your wardrobe.  

1.  Store out of season clothing and sports gear elsewhere

Clear out what you won't be using for the next six months, neatly pack in boxes and put it into a self-storage unit.  There are many available throughout the country.  One of the newest to open is SpaceMax in Henderson, Auckland.  A self-storage unit will give you the peace of mind of round the clock security and month to month flexible rental periods.  

2.  Recycle fizzy drink tabs to create more hanger space

Save yourself valuable time and space.  This is a simple way to keep those tops, bottoms and accessories in one place and to be able to hang more than one piece of clothing on a single hanger and space those hangers out so they don't all bunch together.  

3.  Purge your wardrobe

Have a clean out every six months.  Fewer items mean better organisation in your wardrobe.  One of the best tricks I have been taught is to turn all of your hangers so the open end faces out towards your room.  As you wear things turn them back the other way.  Every six months take out everything still facing in the original direction and store the things you really love and can't bear to throw away and sell or donate the rest.  

4.  See-through boxes

If your shelves and drawers in your wardrobe are getting a bit chaotic get your hands on some clear boxes in different shapes and sizes like these brilliant ones from Ikea.  This keeps everything visible and easy to find and can house all those little things like accessories that often end up lost at the back of a sock drawer or wardrobe.

5.  Organise those shoes

If the bottom of your wardrobe looks like a shoe hurricane has paid a visit, a simple shoe rack or shelves can quickly create space inside your wardrobe.  Or be creative, clear boxes with beautiful shoes in them can form a display feature in your bedroom or in a prominent place inside your house.

6.  Remember the doors

Install hooks and rods on the back of the wardrobe doors to store everyday items like belts, scarves, shoes and even costume jewellery.

7.  Give your jandals some love

With a small amount of creative genius metal coat hangers can be used to store your jandals and get them off the pile on the floor.  Read more about how to create beautiful jandal holders here Jandal Love.

8.  Go Vertical

People often forget about the empty space just above the clothes railing.  Adding some temporary shelves or clear plastic boxes to store some extra items, especially those which aren't used to often is a great way to utilise space.

9.  Look after handbags with shower curtain hooks

To keep your handbags damage free and out of reach of little girls playing 'Ladies', use shower curtain hooks along the railing or rod of your wardrobe.

10.  Refold your t-shirts

Folding t-shirts neatly into thirds and organising vertically rather than stacked on top of one another means you can see what you are looking for and your increase your storage space.  This is especially great for teenage wardrobes!  

11.  Garment Tags

If your wardrobe is like mine and you have clothes stored in garment bags it is easy to forget they are there.  Take a picture of the item and glue it onto a tag that you can hang on the coat hanger.  Now you will always know what is inside!