|
|
| Customer Service Information |
|
|
Top Tips for the Temporary Move
Question: "It's only three months. Or six months. Or a year. How bad can it be?" Answer: Truly, truly awful. You may need a temporary move because your career calls for a short-term assignment. You may be renting while you build your dream house. You may have relocated temporarily to help a close friend or family member. Short-term moves can be more difficult - and can cost you more money - than a "permanent" move. Why? First, many communities are designed for home buyers and vacationers. When Geraldine Ferraro's son was sentenced to a year's probation on a drug charge, he was criticized for serving his sentence in a luxury apartment. His mother pointed out that there were simply no low-cost, short-term rental options in that wealthy community. I believe her. Second, even when short-term options exist, they may be less desirable. College towns tend to offer short-term student housing and longer-term faculty housing. Short-term leases may be located in noisy student complexes or less desirable neighborhoods. Informal leasing? Sometimes you can lease from someone who is also going away. These situations can be ideal. However, you will be living among someone else's treasured possessions. Jennifer rented a house in the midwest while the owners spent a happy year in Italy. "They claimed that all their furniture was antique, even though it wasn't. I had to tiptoe around their junk and they took all my deposit to remove the non-existent cat hair." You may be asked to give monthly rides to a needy relative, water the plants or take care of the pets. Inevitably, the rides will switch to weekly, the plants will die and the pets will take their cues from the stars of the movie, The Incredible Journey. I'd like to tell you to get everything in writing and refuse special requests, but you probably won't do it. I wouldn't either. What can you do? First, if at all possible, take a house-hunting trip. Spend a minimum of two full days. It will be expensive, but the alternatives are worse. Second, visit at least three rental options, if indeed three options exist. If a friend or leasing agent shows you around, do not make any commitment, even if the friend tells you that the park is your only other option. The next day, get a local paper and explore additional options, by yourself or with another agent. Often you will find that the first friend or agent was terrific and you can't do better on your own. Well, now you have built a relationship of trust and you're no worse off. But be ready for downside surprises too. Third, try to find a month-to-month rental. Do not sign a full year's lease until you have absolutely ruled out other options. Fourth, if you leave a security deposit, ask the landlord for references. Many landlords are honest, but others will realize you won't buy a plane ticket to file a claim for a $500 deposit. Explore your options if you find yourself in a dispute: Small Claims Court, Real Estate Board, Consumer Affairs agencies. Often the threat of a report will encourage a recalcitrant landlord to start thinking good thoughts about good karma. Never say, "It's only..." Regardless, I've learned not to say, "It's only a year," or, "It's only six months." Six months can seem like forever. Worse, you can lose large sums of money if you have to leave early or if you find your rental is not habitable. And you want to look back on your temporary move as a fun time and not a series of hassles. If you enjoyed this article, you'd really like my weekly ezine. You''ll get two Special Reports as a bonus when you sign up. The best resource for moving: My book, Making the Big Move. Now available for instant download. About The Author Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com. "Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
C-R-I-T-I-C-I-S-M Yuk! Rebuild Those Plans Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm and energy. The business was a seminar business with a focus on self-development. We loved the concept of helping others be more and achieve more. The business fit our backgrounds and we truly loved it. Fighting Terrorism With Enchantment Many of you may look at my title and wonder if I have 'lost my marbles.' Let me explain. First let me quote from a wonderful article that was passed around on the web by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D. entitled: Healing From Terrorism Sickness. She states: "The main goal of terrorism is 'intentional trauma' to the living. The concept of doing ongoing psychic injury to thousands and millions 'all at the same time' is an important tactic of terrorists ... innocent persons becoming afraid of life ... (this) hurts the human spirit and heart." Why Positive Thinking Doesnt Work! There was someone I used to work with who, well aware of their tendency to look at the negative side of things, used to constantly tell themselves to "think more positively". Cleaned Up or Cleaned Out? I need your help. I did a good deed recently, but I was gripped by second thoughts. I want to know if you think I should have done this. Here is what happened: Positioned For Success - The Refined Art Of Taking A Chance ARE YOU IN... OR OUT? Make a Personal Commitment to Change Your Life! So, is this really where you thought you'd be? You're 25, or 35, or even 50 or ?? and you're not doing the job you thought you'd be...or you're not living where you thought you'd be. Maybe you haven't written that novel you wanted to? Maybe you haven't travelled to all those places you dreamed about as a kid? Maybe your health isn't so great. So, what's gotten in the way of your dreams? Tough question isn't it? Anger: The Power is On! When you feel lost and confused, it is easy to give your power to anyone who appears on your doorstep -- a coach, a counselor, even a good friend or relative. People in transition, who are seeking direction, are especially vulnerable to anyone who offers help. The US government has developed programs to protect newly-bereaved citizens who are vulnerable to claims from funeral services. Enlarge Your Vision Millions struggle through life barely earning enough to survive. Many are trapped in a job they hate, but are making just enough that they think they can't afford to start at the bottom in something else. They go through the motions at work, spend a frustrating time stuck in traffic getting home, and are too exhausted to have a pleasant conversation with their family. The Top Ten Ways To Be Positive In The Workplace Of Life There is a growing volume of research that shows' staying positive is better for your health; you can cope better with stress. It's better for relationships; you keep from judging people and getting the bad habit of gossiping. It takes much more energy to be negative, always worrying, thinking of the " what if's", the "should's". Being positive, living in the present will lighten your life and the mood of others around you. First Aid For The Soul A Model of the dysfunctional, unconscious human psyche. A way through, from confusion to consciousness. Adding Meaning To Your Life You got up today to go to work, to come home, to battle with the kids, to go to bed. Tomorrow, you'll do the same thing again. If you are struggling with depression, it may be very difficult to find a ways to motivate yourself to go through this role over and over again. It makes no difference who you are. Depression is a disease that effects us without thought of who, what, where or why. But, there is a way to get through the days of depression. The Enchantress Within Each of Us Returns?Making Potholders, One Stitch at a Time! When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine most little girls are. At six years of age I had my toys, my fire station with a real bell, my fire trucks and other cars, my paper dolls, my coloring books and large box of Crayola assorted crayons, my picture books and stuffed animals. One of my most important possessions was a 'working' toy which was my ceramic pig that served as my personal banker. This pig controlled my destiny to some extent, because when there was enough change inside of him, I got to go downtown Bridgeport with my mother and guess what? I picked out a new toy! Now I was going on seven and saving every penny toward a Toni doll. Did you know you could perm her hair? I couldn't wait! Magic Mirror Exercise Good morning I love you. The Gift of Envy The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as a maid at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel and Casino. My uniform consisted of an orange-and-blue plaid smock like those worn by pretzel vendors at major league football games. The smock was matched with a pair of dark blue polyester pants with a thick elastic waistband and crotch that hung to mid-thigh. It was a uniform custom fit for pregnant maids, or maids with extremely short legs. I was neither. Positive Affirmations Never used 'em. Not likely to start now. Growth From Discontent: Lifes Way Of Giving You A Little Push That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi you had for lunch. It's your soul trying to give you a nudge to do something. A word for that feeling is "discontent." Discontent is a state of not being satisfied or fulfilled in your current situation. The TRUTH About What REALLY Causes Negative Thoughts Do you feel that your negative thoughts are holding you back from being happy in life? You're about to discover HOW you can still live HAPPILY when things don't go your way... even if your life is filled with conflict and turmoil right now... and you can't see a way out. The Illusion of Failure The most dangerous thing is illusion. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Don?t Worry, Be Happy! Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
|
