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2020 National Movers Migration Report

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  • 2020 National Movers Migration Report

    2020 National Movers Migration Report

    The United Van Lines 44th Annual National Movers Study has arrived again. 2020 was one heck of a year and the Covid-19 pandemic only accelerated previous moving trends of Westward and Southward migration.

    This past year, Virginia experienced slightly more residents leaving the state than entering: movers leaving the state made up about 53% of total interstate moves while inbound movers comprised the other 47%. Nearly half of the outbound movers cited job opportunities elsewhere as their reason for moving.

    Meanwhile, major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, and Newark experienced a sizable exodus while small cities such as Wilmington, NC and Boise, ID saw a net gain in movers.

    The top inbound states of 2020 were:

    • Idaho
    • South Carolina
    • Oregon
    • South Dakota
    • Arizona
    • North Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Alabama
    • Florida
    • Arkansas

    The top outbound states for 2020 were:

    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Illinois  
    • Connecticut
    • California
    • Kansas
    • North Dakota
    • Massachusetts
    • Ohio
    • Maryland

  • The Art of Downsizing

    The Art of Downsizing

    Downsizing can feel overwhelming. There is likely a story or a purpose behind almost every item in your home. When you’re moving to a smaller space, determining which things to keep and which to discard requires thought and planning. 

    These four steps can take you from too-much to just-enough to promote a peaceful move.

    Step 1: Work through your emotions.

    There are multiple benefits to downsizing – if there weren’t, nobody would do it. Benefits of downsizing include:

    • Spending less time cleaning your home and getting more time back in your day to do the things you love the most.
    • A potential decrease in your house payment and property taxes
    • Reducing clutter and eliminating things that don’t bring you joy or serve an essential purpose
    • Helping others in the process if you sell your items for less than you paid or donate them to good causes
    • Lowering your heating and air bill when you move to a smaller space

    In many cases, downsizing is done either in anticipating aging or as a result of aging. In these cases, downsizing often comes with even more benefits – no stairs, full lawn service, closer to family, etc.

    Even with all of these benefits, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions associated with the move. Remind yourself of the reasons you’re downsizing and work with a counselor or therapist if you’re struggling.

    Step 2: Stop bringing new items into the home.

    As soon as you know, you’ll be downsizing shortly, stop bringing new items into the home. You’ll never get ahead if something comes in every time something goes out.

    • Avoid temptation by avoiding online shopping sites and visiting stores that sell non-essential items.
    • Practice gratitude for the things you have; take time every day to journal or reflect on the things you’re most grateful for.
    • Unsubscribe from sales and marketing emails to remove the temptation to buy.
    • Let the gift-givers in your life know that you’re downsizing and encourage them to gift experiences or gift cards instead.

    Step 3: Tackle the house one room at a time.

    When you step back and look at everything you own, the project can feel overwhelming. Instead, make a list and tackle it one room at a time. As you sort through each room, make three piles: keep, sell, and donate.

    To help reduce your clutter, use this guide:

    • If it hasn’t been used or worn in a year, donate it. Return to an item at least twice before determining if you should put it in the “keep” pile. This includes everything from clothing to miscellaneous kitchen items.
    • Donate all duplicate items and keep your favorite. 
    • Consider renting equipment that you only use once or twice a year – like a carpet cleaner, camping equipment, lawn equipment, etc.
    • Ask family members if they want any sentimental or special items or furniture that won’t fit in your new home. Give them a time limit to decide and collect it.
    • Scan old paperwork to store it electronically.

    Moving On

    Downsizing can be a rewarding, life-changing decision when it supports your personal, professional, or financial goals – and it can be relatively easy to navigate when you break it down into bite-sized pieces.

    Make your move easier; contact us. We can provide a quote and help your moving process be smooth and less stressful.

     

  • United Van Lines Migration Study: More People Moving Into Virginia Than Moving Out

    United Van Lines Migration Study: More People Moving Into Virginia Than Moving Out

    The United Van Lines 43rd Annual National Movers Study is out. During 2019, Virginia experienced slightly more people migrating to the state than leaving. 53% of interstate movers coming to the state, with 47% of interstate movers leaving the state.

    The majority of incoming movers cited job opportunities as their primary reason for moving to VA; nearly 3 out of every 5 movers. Moving for family was a distance second; only 1 out of every 4 movers came for family.

    One interesting stat is the age range of incoming movers. All five age brackets accounted for about one-fifth of incoming movers.

    The majority of those leaving Virginia also cited job opportunities elsewhere. Older people were more likely to leave the state than younger people.

    The stats from 2019 are similar to the previous year.

  • Moving to an Assisted Living Community

    Moving to an Assisted Living Community

    The decision to move yourself or a loved one into an assisted living community is one of the most difficult that families will make. But once the choice is made, a whole new set of challenges await and it can be a daunting and emotionally draining experience.

    To help families with the process of moving to assisted living care, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help with the transition.

    Supporting the Transition

    One of the most important things to do during the transition is to remain positive, especially relatives. It’s a difficult decision to make but once it’s made, don’t criticize it. 

    Offer support and remember that the move is about the resident and not yourself. The choices you make should be for their benefit, ensuring that they’re comfortable and happy in their new home.

    It’s a big change so the best thing you can do is to empathize and stay positive. Remember to visit and call frequently, especially in the first several days and weeks while the resident is still getting settled. Having loved ones around on a consistent basis can help to smooth the transition immensely.

    Address Concerns Early

    Because it’s such a big change, it’s perfectly normal for new residents to have concerns. It’s important to identify what those concerns are such as privacy, meeting friends, daily routines, etc.

    Read materials offered by the home that may address your worries and speak to staff about any questions or unknowns. 

    Look into programs and activities offered by the home. You may be able to begin participating before you move in. It’s a great way to get acclimated and grow more comfortable with the new community.

    Choosing What to Bring

    It’s a good idea to start the moving process early. That way you’re not trying to rush everything in one weekend.

    You’ll need to decide which items are to be brought and which can’t be. Before starting that process, it’s a good idea to get a layout of your room/suite, its dimensions, and what furniture the community provides. The residence should also provide a list of suggested items to bring.

    This will make deciding what to bring much easier. Sort your items by “move,” to take with; “family,” for sentimental items to hold onto; “donate,” for functioning but non-sentimental items; and “trash.” Although you won’t be able to take the whole house with you, you’d be surprised how much a few treasured items can make the place feel like home.

    When beginning the packing process, start with rooms that aren’t used very often. These items should mostly go in the family, donate, and trash piles. Work your way into more commonly used rooms. Be sure to recognize your limits and ask family or friends for help. 

    Many assisted living homes have staff members to help with the moving process, especially with the heavy lifting. Be sure to inquire about those services. And once your belongings are in your suite, have loved ones help arrange it the way you like. This will go a long way in helping it feel like home.

    Moving to Assisted Living

    Moving to assisted living is a big transition. It’s important that loved ones are there to show their support, emotional and otherwise. Hopefully, these tips have been useful

    If you’re looking for more helpful tips or a moving company to help with your transition, contact Brooks Transfer & Storage today for a free quote.

    For detailed information on Assisted Living Facilities in Virginia Beach, VA check out Caring.com’s directory

  • 12 Brilliant Packing Tips that Will Make Moving Easier

    12 Brilliant Packing Tips that Will Make Moving Easier

    Even if finances are not a concern for your upcoming move, moving can be difficult and stressful.  Brooks Transfer & Storage, Inc. is here to offer some helpful tips to make moving less stressful and difficult.  So as you prepare for your next move, consider taking action by using some or all of these recommendations:

    Packing Tips for Your Next Move

    1. Spend some time getting organized –  Make a list of all that will need to be done and refer back to the list frequently.  It helps to check things off that list when you have completed tasks.
    2. Label everything – Another organizing tip is to label and number all of your boxes.  If you really like organizing complex tasks like moving, you could also consider color coding your boxes to make delivering them to the appropriate room in your new home easier.
    3. Start packing early –  Procrastination is your enemy when it comes to moving.  Give yourself as much time as possible by packing belongings you do not need right now but will want to have with you when you move into your new place.
    4. Pack an overnight bag – When you get closer to your move date, pack an overnight bag with toiletries, medication, and other items you need on a daily basis.
    5. Don’t forget additional essentials – Other essential items should be packed in a clear plastic bin so that you can easily identify them among all of your belongings.
    6. Carefully pick your packing materials – Save money (and the environment) by packing fragile items in kitchen and bath towels instead of using packing peanuts or bubble wrap.
    7. Use socks for glass materials – Fragile items like wine glasses or eyeglasses can be wrapped in clean socks.
    8. Newspaper is your friend – Wrap plates in newspaper to prevent scratching and use towels in the boxes to provide shock absorption.  Also, pack plates on their edges. If the box they are packed in is dropped, fewer plates will be broken this way, as compared to stacking them like we do in cabinets.
    9. Use plastic bags for small items – Use sandwich and snack bags to hold small items, like the hardware for beds, furniture, and children’s toys when they are disassembled, as well as remote controls for TVs and electronics.
    10. Take pictures of electronics – Speaking of electronics, take some pictures of the rear of your devices so that reconnecting is easier when you get to your new home.
    11. Be courteous to friends and family who’ve offered to help – This may sound obvious, but if you have friends helping you move, be courteous to them by making sure everything they are helping to move is packed up when they arrive and offer them food and drinks while they work.
    12. Organize your packing process – Whenever possible, avoid packing items from different rooms in the same box.  If you are moving into a smaller place and know you will be consolidating some rooms, you may want to combine such items.  But if you will not be combining rooms in your new place, it is best to keep those items separate.

    Let the Pros at Brooks Transfer & Storage Handle Your Next Move

    Let our team at Brooks Transfer & Storage know how we can help you with your next move.  Contact us today at 800-544-1265 or 757- 427-9500 for a free estimate.

     

     

  • How to Move with Pets

    How to Move with Pets

    We all know that moving is one of life’s most stressful events. And, when you move with pets, this stress can be compounded for you and for your four-legged friend.  There are some things that you can do to help your pet acclimate to a new environment, so that they stay safe and make the transition as easy as possible.

    Tips when Moving with Pets

    • Walk around your new neighborhood: Before you move in, you may want to walk around the new area without your pet and see if you see kids, other dogs or cats, busy streets, that might be a potential hazard for your pet.
    • Pack their favorite room last: The packing up process can be extremely stressful for both cats and dogs.  It is usually helpful to keep a pet’s favorite room intact until last, so that they have a place to retreat to during the chaos that feels safe and comfortable.  Bring boxes in early so that cats and dogs can smell them and get used to them being around.
    • Moving Day: When moving day arrives, keep your pets in your old home, in a room with the door closes so that they are not able to sneak out and take off.  Keep your pet’s routine (feeding, walks) as consistent as possible.
    • Transporting your pet: If you are concerned about your pet having trouble riding in a car/truck/plane to get to your new home, spend time before the move acclimating your pet to a crate (if he/she is not used to one). Feed your cat/dog in the crate occasionally, put a blanket inside, and even take a short drive to see how your pet will do in a car.  Keeping your pet in a crate for transport will keep them safe.
    • New Home: In your new home, plan to introduce the area slowly.  A large, new space can be overwhelming for a cat or for a dog.  You can start by setting up a room for them with things from their favorite room in your old home.  Once they get used to this new space, slowly introduce them to other rooms in the home.  If you have a cat, keep the litter box in this new “safe” space move it slowly (approximately one foot/day) to a permanent location.

    Brooks Transfer & Storage – Experienced And Reliable Moving Company in VA

    Brooks Transfer & Storage Co., Inc. can help you move all of your belongings to your new home, so you can focus on making the transition easier for your family and your pets. Our professional residential moving team has been serving the Hampton Roads, VA area for more than a century.  For more information or to request a quote, call us today at 800-544-1265 or 757-427-9500.

     

     

  • Plastic Crates; A Packing Alternative to Cardboard Boxes

    Plastic Crates; A Packing Alternative to Cardboard Boxes

    Plastic Crates: A Packing Alternative to Cardboard Boxes

    It’s a trend that the moving and storage industry has seen over the past 20 years; the use of hard plastic, reusable crates instead of cardboard boxes for the packing of loose items.  It is especially commonplace to see them being used for Office Relocations.  They are much easier to handle, won’t crush, can be used for letter and legal sized documents, hanging files can be placed directly on the metal runners and believe it or not, they are eco-friendly.

    Whether you need 10 or 1,000, we have “Brooks Bins” available for rent.  These are our blue, logoed containers and here is some specific information on them:

    • Ergonomic carrying handles are designed for safer lifting
    • Reinforced tie holes for minimizing lid damage
    • Multi-fingered lid design provides tamper-resistant security
    • “Traction” bottom surface prevents slippage on conveyors
    • Recessed cross strapping lid for added security
    • Solid nesting stops allow increased stacking height of empty containers
    • Textured label areas for easy label removal
    • All-plastic construction makes recycling easy
    • Extremely cost effective when comparing them to cardboard tote cartons
    • Total capacity is 2.5 cubic feet
    • Dollies have 4” easy roll wheels and can handle up to 4 loaded crates
    • Can be reused hundreds of times and have a lifespan of approximately 17 years
    • Designed and manufactured right here in Virginia

    For an estimate on your next Office Move, please call Brooks Transfer at 757-427-9500 or send us an email at info@brookstransfer.com

  • Brooks Transfer Helps Those That Have Been Victims of Moving Fraud

    Brooks Transfer Helps Those That Have Been Victims of Moving Fraud

    Brooks Transfer Helps Those That Have Been Victims of Moving Fraud

    Brooks Transfer & Storage, an agent for United Van Lines, is a proud participant in Move Rescue, a program dedicated to helping consumers that have been victimized by moving scams. Each year Move Rescue receives hundreds of calls from consumers who feel like they have been victimized by mover fraud.  In the worst cases, criminals posing as professional movers hold the consumers’ possessions hostage in undisclosed warehouses, and demand thousands of dollars in additional payment to deliver the customers’ items.

    Last October, Brooks Transfer and Move Rescue were able to help a consumer in that very situation. The consumer was moving from Virginia to California. After her goods were loaded and taken away, her carrier demanded thousands of dollars above the original estimate. With help from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Move Rescue, she was able to arrange for the release of her things. Brooks Transfer picked up her items from storage and delivered them to her new home at no additional cost.

    We are proud and honored to be aligned with such a great program and one that can actually do something for victims of fraud.  You don’t see this type of action in any other service based industry, Move Rescue is certainly a pioneer.

    By taking a few simple steps, consumers can avoid mover fraud while choosing a moving company. Brooks Transfer & Storage and United Van Lines offer the following tips to avoid moving fraud:

    • Ask for an in-home estimate. Since transportation charges are based on move distance and weight, the company should physically look at your belongings.
    • Don’t be hooked by the lowest price. Get three estimates. If one is much lower than the others, that is a red flag.
    • Don’t pay a deposit up front. Most companies only request payment at the time of delivery.
    • Do your research and verify company affiliations.– Find a list of movers licensed for interstate moves by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at gov. Some disreputable movers lure customers by using names similar to reputable companies. Check the reputable company’s website to see if the mover is affiliated.
    • Get it in writing. Get pickup and delivery dates in writing.
    • Know your rights. Federal law requires movers to give customers a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” brochure prior to an interstate move.

     

  • Sales Achievement and Recognition Through United Van Lines’ Masters Club

    Sales Achievement and Recognition Through United Van Lines’ Masters Club

    Sales Achievement and Recognition Through United Van Lines’ Masters Club

    Running Unigroup, a comprehensive transportation and logistics company and the holding company for United Van Lines, is no small task and takes tens of thousands of employees, contractors and agents.  Most often, people only remember the front line personnel such as the Drivers and their helpers that perform the actual work in getting shipments packed, loaded, driven and delivered.  However, think of how the job was sold or the people on the phone answering questions or the folks dispatching the crews or the personnel billing the shipment etc.  It certainly takes an army.

    Employee recognition is important in every organization and it contributes to a positive working environment by helping with morale, loyalty, self-worth, “ownership” etc.  It’s always nice to be recognized for your hard work and Unigroup has done this for the Sales Representatives through a program started sixteen years ago called the Masters Club.

    The Masters Club Program is a recognition program for United agency representatives that rewards and highlights outstanding sales performance.  It recognizes top salespeople in five business segment categories: National Account Household Goods, Residential Household Goods, Logistics (includes Special Products, Special Commodities, Trade Shows, and Electronics), International and Total (combination of two or more of these categories).

    The Masters Club program provides the opportunity for participating sales representatives to receive recognition by reaching individual goals.  Brooks Transfer & Storage Co., Inc is pleased to announce that both of their Residential Household Goods Move Consultants, Mike Denny and Mike Steele, achieved Masters Club for 2016!  Denny has received this honor 10 times since the awards inception and Steele had received it for the past 4 consecutive years.  I would like to personally thank both of these gentlemen for their hard work, they both deserve this honor!

    Jeff Brooks