Spring Clean

Check out this story from Aussie Homes blog. Aussie Home Loans

Time to De-clutter to make your home appear bigger and better.

Here are some tips to make your home look larger 

1.  Use same flooring material and color across rooms.  Whenever possible, continue that same surface across rooms. Whatever the surface, try to be consistent wherever possible.

2.  Use lighter colors.  Lighter makes the space look larger.  Same goes for walls.

3.  Use wider planks.  Wider makes the space look larger.  Same goes for - larger tiles make the space look larger.  

4.  Declutter.  The more you can see the floor and walls and space, the cleaner, neater and larger you space will look.   Storage is not as expensive as your think. http://www.storageking.com.au Look into storing big bulky items, old paperwork, books etc anything you don't use regularly such as camping equipment, suitcases, boxes, wine anything! 

Aussie Home Loans

1 in 4 want to move to the country

According to Domain domain news. 1 in 4 people out of 1000 people surveyed in Sydney would consider moving to the country. This is a large number of Sydneysiders considering a move to a rural setting.

Why Sydneysiders move:

• 36 per cent — change of lifestyle and freedom to pursue a dream, slower pace of life, more leisure time and flexibility
• 24 per cent — less stress, improve relationships (more time with family and to raise children), self esteem and personal satisfaction
• 7 per cent — make a new start, move away from family and friends
• 6 per cent — less financial stress, lower cost of living, lower mortgage

This news could be a boost for self storage and a boost in packaging material sales as people relocate they may have a need for moving boxes, storage, removalists and professional advice about moving. 

Domain has this advice for people moving 

How to make your move work

• Decide what your skills are
• Explore what you want to do in your next stage of life — continue in the career you are in or seek a change? 
• Look at your CV and make sure it’s up to date
• Find a town or city that has opportunities for work or business ownership
• Visit in different seasons and spend some long weekends and holidays deciding if the town is for you
• Ask locals what they like and dislike about the town
• Research schools and services
• Once you arrive, get involved in the community

Self Storage Tips

• Remember to sprinkle some naphthalene flakes among your books and clothing for long term storage
• Always pack the items you may need at the front of a storage unit and the large items you will not require at the back
• Do not store or wrap anything in plastic as this can cause humidity and mould
• Pack heavy items and boxes on the bottom.  Nothing should be placed on boxes marked fragile
• Use good packing boxes as they are of uniform size, easier to stack and hold the weight
• Use specialty designed boxes with foam inserts for frames
• Wrap breakables in bubble wrap
• Fridges, freezers and other white goods should be clean and dry before storing, with a deodoriser inside for freshness and the door left slightly ajar
• Stoves and other cooking equipment should be cleaned thoroughly
• Tools should always be cleaned before storage
• Remove batteries from all toys and equipment as leaking batteries can cause permanent damage
• Stack books flat - not on spines, in small cartons
• Computers, televisions and stereos should be packed in its original packaging if available.  Otherwise bubble wrap and good quality cartons will suffice. Fill the gaps with the wrap
• Plates and crockery should be individually wrapped in white paper. Fill all gaps with scrunched paper and label fragile
• Empty wardrobes and drawer units
• Dissemble beds
• Wrap furniture in blankets, not plastic
• Vacuum and clean upholstery and rugs prior to storage
• Wipe chrome and cast iron items with a cloth containing machine oil
• Empty mowers and machinery of fuel and oil to avoid leakage and a fire hazard.  Place on a piece of cardboard
• Store records and CD's on their edge
• Other large items wrap with blankets, bubble wrap or packaging materials.
• As food attracts vermin, most storage facilities will not allow food items to be stored unless in approved containers.  Tupperware appears to be the only approved brand.  Check with the facility before making the decision to store food or your insurance may be void.
• Computer disks should be stored with a specialised storage company designed to keep them safe and secure
• YOU CANNOT STORE IN A STORAGE FACILITY any hazardous materials, combustible materials or aerosols as they have the potential to combust or explode and destroy everything in the warehouse.   Examples are acid, gasoline poisons, charcoal, lighter fluid, fertilizer, paint, batteries, matches, nail polish and remover, ammunition, liquid bleach, aerosols, kerosene, pool chemicals, chemistry sets, fireworks, pesticides, motor oil, paint thinner, loaded weapons, weed killer, ammonia, propane tanks or cleaning fluid

Source: relocating.com.au  

Storage Nationally

Storage King provides National Account Management through their National Accounts Program. This program specialises in providing storage to companies on a ‘Multiple Site’ or ‘National’ level.

Storage King is Australasia’s largest self-storage provider, with interests in Australia, New Zealand & UK. With well over 90 centres located around Australia and boosted by an Alliance Network, Storage King can provide storage in all of Australia’s capital cities and most regional centres.
As well as being able to provide reduced rental rates, the Storage King National Accounts Program includes features aimed at simplifying the process of storing your goods around Australia.

• A National Account Coordinator
• One invoice for the management of your account
• Detailed information supplied to your logistics department and company representatives

Storage King will be able to provide you with safe, secure storage, that is tailored to your needs, conveniently located and above all, cost effective.
We invite you to consider the option of becoming a part of our National Accounts Program. By supplying us with detail of your current storage arrangements, we will be able to analyze your needs and provide you with an alternative that we are sure will benefit you and your company.
To arrange a free, no obligation consultation, simply contact:
Trent Baker 
National Accounts Coordinator
Storage King Pty Ltd
Ph: 07 3801 3331
Fax: 07 3801 3349
Mob: 0421 592 876
Email: nationalaccounts@storageking.com.au