How Dogs Can Impact Home Owners Insurance

Did you know that your dog may be the cause of your increasing property insurance costs? Many insurance companies have strict policies on dog owner applicants. The breed of dog can also impact your premium costs. This article shares details on twelve different dog breeds and how they are calculated for home owners insurance policies.

You love your dog, but your home insurance carrier doesn’t. Even though your dog has never bitten anyone, your provider considers it aggressive, simply on the basis of its breed. The result: You could be denied a policy for your home or be charged much higher premiums.Some carriers will cover the house for fire, wind and other specified damage but exclude any claim related to the dog. Sound unfair?

— 12 Dogs Breeds That Could Jack Up Your Insurance Costs

Money Saving Moving Tips

Have you ever heard of a moving company giving tips to save you money on your move? Well, we do! Our goal is to help our customers move their cherished possessions from one place to the next while giving them a fair price on the deal. Why spend more money than you need to? Check out our Money Saving Hints online and call us for your next move!

Free Estimate

Are you looking to move near the Phoenix area or within the state of Arizona? Fill out our free online form to get an estimated quote for your big move. Whether you're moving your family or your business, we're here to help. At Bulwark Moving we strive to exceed our customer's expectations. Call us for more information and to discuss your free quote today!

How to Win in Today's Rental Market

If you're ready to brave the real estate rental market now's the time to make your move. Rental properties are in high demand and the competition is fierce but you can still land a great deal with a strategic plan. This article shares a few pointers on today's rental market and how you can score an amazing place to rent with just a little due diligence.

Demand for rental properties has been on the rise since the housing market collapsed in 2007, when millions of Americans lost their homes to foreclosure and moved into rental units. At the same time, construction was stalled because builders couldn’t get loans. Between 2007 and 2013, the U.S. added more than 6 million tenants, compared with only about 200,000 homeowners, according to Stan Humphries, Zillow’s chief economist. And now? An improving economy has many Americans finding jobs and thus looking for rental units, which means you can expect additional competition.

— Everything You Need to Know About Today's Rental Market

Are You Ready for an HOA?

Getting ready for your big move and not sure what to expect from the Home Owners Association? Don't be alarmed. Transitioning from renting to owning can be an overwhelming task but preparing for those changes makes them a lot easier to digest. This article breaks down the basics of Home Owners Associations, shedding light on what may be expected of you and what you can expect from them.

To interpret and enforce the rules and regulations, most HOAs elect a board of directors who follow the regulations of the community and make prudent financial and operational decisions. As an owner, you get to vote for the board members (this process is usually outlined in the community bylaws). However, most owners in a typical community don’t go to board meetings and don’t get involved in the operations of the community. And that’s fine, as there’s no requirement for an owner to vote or otherwise be involved. Most owners only show up to meetings when HOA fees are raised or if they are affected by a particular issue. Keep in mind though, if you have an issue or disagree with a restriction in your community, you should attend the board meetings and work with the HOA toward finding a solution that the majority of owners can agree with.

— The Ins and Outs of Home Owners Associations

Turning Old Wooden Floors Into Beauty

Wait! Before eliminating the beautiful home you viewed because of the awful floors read this article! If windows are the eyes of every home, the floors are the feet and we all know the most important feature of your attire are your shoes. So how can you switch out the current worn down wooden pair for a shiny sleek floor in your new home? We'll show you how...

Whether you’re moving into a fixer-upper or just looking to spruce up your existing space, refinishing hardwood floors can add warmth and beauty to almost any home. The cost to refinish hardwood floors depends on where you live, the type of wood, how large an area you’re planning to refinish and the condition of your floors. But, even before you start getting bids on your project, you need to determine whether your floors truly need to be refinished (sanding off the existing finish down to bare wood) or whether they should simply be “screened and recoated” (sprucing up an existing coat of polyurethane by lightly sanding the old finish and top-coating it).

— Refinish Wood Floors

No Hidden Fees with Bulwark Moving

You don't have to worry about hidden fees and additional add-ons with Bulwark Moving. Once we have signed a contract with the customer, there is no added cost for moving more items than originally agreed. You only pay the hourly rate and a single truck charge. If the added stop is near the original path to the ultimate destination there is no additional truck charge. That means there are no guessing games when it comes to moving with us. We are committed to high quality service with integrity. If you're looking to move your business or your home to a new location in the Phoenix area and beyond, we're here to help.  Read more of our Frequently Asked Questions for all of your moving inquiries.

Regain Your Remodeling Mojo

Every masterpiece begins with an idea or concept. If you're preparing for your next big move and looking for a home to remodel this article is chocked full of ideas to help spark your inner creative flow. Pinterest and online magazines like Houzze have taken the concept of idea boards to a whole new level. Check out these great tips to get your process started.

Begin by envisioning your future space. What will be the focal point? Which colors and textures would you like to incorporate into the design? Magazines are a classic source for ideas, but these days, DIY enthusiasts use online design boards, social media platforms and renovation blogs to get their creative juices flowing. Historical architecture, modern art and even local buildings also can inspire flair at home.“Sometimes a unique storefront display, or the architecture and lines of a cityscape can create a concept for the perfect look,” said Dina Riccobono of Pfister Faucets. Rely on your intuition. Aaron Schoenberger of Fix & Flip Network keeps future owners in mind before making definitive plans for a fixer-upper.“When looking to remodel a home I am inspired by a variety of things. For one, I consider the purpose of the remodel (i.e., will the home be my primary residence or rented/sold) and base the project on that. The purpose gives me inspiration,” the house-flipping expert said.

— Getting in the Remodeling Mindset

Front Door Dilemmas?

Your new home's front door is the welcome party for every visitor. It reflects the vibe of the home itself and the people who live there. Is your front door a mirror image of your personality or does it look more like the reflection of its former tenant? Here are some neat ways to spruce up your front door and put a little of your flavor into your home's first impressions.

There are nearly limitless possibilities for decorating your front door. You could simply paint it a different color (or colors), hang a wreath in the center or add a dramatic house number above or to the side. Other options include installing long shutters on either side or adding a playful, historic or decorative specialty door knocker. Online retailer Architectural Depot sells a wide range of knockers, from chili peppers to poodles, that are sure to make you smile when you come home at the end of a long day.

— 5 Ways to Dress Up Your Front Door

Keep Your Credit Safe While Moving

Everyone knows the best way to protect fragile items during the moving process. We carefully wrap glass figurines and china plates inside layers upon layers of paper, fabric, bubble wrap and tape. Protecting important personals and treasures is a part of the normal moving routine. Protecting our credit, which is just as important if not more vital, isn't a common practice in the process of moving. This article points out why you should be more concerned with protecting your credit than your china.

Packing up and moving can be challenging. With so many things to remember and do, it is easy to place thoughts about your credit’s well-being in the background. Moving will occasionally be part of your life story, and there are ways to approach this new chapter — and protect your credit score in the process.

— Protect Your Credit During Your Move

Why Every Renter Needs Renter's Insurance

You've finally found the perfect rental for you and your family. Now it's time to pack up and move. Don't forget one vital piece in your transition, renter's insurance. This insurance benefits both parties in a rental transaction, covering your assets and your new landlord's. Take your time when choosing a policy and be sure to read all of the fine print before signing!

Renters insurance protects both the interests of the tenant (by protecting their belongings from covered perils) and the landlord (by keeping tenants safe, satisfied and paying rent for the full term of the lease). However, only about 35 percent of renters purchase insurance protection; that compares poorly with the percentage of homeowners who purchase coverage — around 96 percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute. A big reason for the disparity: Virtually all lenders require mortgage holders to buy and maintain homeowners insurance. But that doesn’t explain why more renters don’t protect their valuables. Likely reasons include mistaken assumptions about tenant/landlord responsibilities.

— Why Renters Insurance Matters

A Room with a View

Be sure to get all the details regarding your property's sight lines for your next big move. There are many factors to consider when relocating and highlighted view points are usually expensive bonuses for home purchases. Check for zoning regulations and review your new communities ordinances for any rules that will affect your landscaping and home improvement plans.

A view can often be the most valuable part of a piece of property. Water, mountains, even territorial views of foliage add a sense of wonder, serenity and enrichment to what we see when we look out our windows. Therefore, any encroachment or threat to that highly prized view should be taken seriously. But what, if anything, can a homeowner do when someone — or something — threatens to take that view away? It all depends on where you live and who has jurisdiction over your neighborhood. And it ranges from absolutely nothing to very specific rules.

— Tips for Protecting Your View

Tips for Finding the Perfect Rental

After the financial meltdown of 2008, renting became a much more common practice among Americans. At Bulwark Moving, we help families in the Phoenix area relocate to new rentals quite often. We thought it would  be great to share a few tips for choosing the right rental to make your search a little easier. Check out this article for helpful tips on renting the perfect place for you!

Before beginning your search, decide what kind of rental best fits your needs. Renters with pets, for example, should consider leasing from private owners rather than multi-family property managers. Finance writer Michelle Schroeder gauged practicality before deciding which lease to sign. “We knew we wanted a house so that we could have a dog. I was a naive 18 year old, but luckily a family member was looking for a reliable renter,” she said. You should also pay close attention to amenities and exterior features before making final decisions. Rand Owens, vice president of marketing at Happy Inspector, says high rises and rentals in noisy environments, or rentals with close proximity to freeways or train tracks were all eliminated from his search.

— How to Find the Perfect Rental

Don't Let This Happen to You...

A Very Common Scenario:

The customers are excited because they received an online moving quote at an hourly rate that is very low priced. When the movers arrive, the customers sign the contract. As the crew begins the move, they load the most expensive items first. Everything is fine until the movers are at the final destination and almost finished unloading. At this point the movers begin to strong arm the customer by telling them about all of the extra fees that they have incurred. There are items on the bill that reflect charges for additional travel fees, lunch breaks, stairs, shrink wrap, long carries, fuel, fueling time, blankets and moving heavy or large items. They might have also charged extra for the dismantling and reassembly of beds, tables, cabinets and sofas, These additional fraudulant charges are the 'Bait and Switch' of a dishonest mover. They will point out to the customer that they signed and agreed to these conditions on the contract. If the customer refuses to pay the amount, the movers close the truck and threaten to drive away with the customers furnishings. After reviewing the contract, it is obvious that the only way to regain the belongings is to pay the unexpected extra charges.

This is never the case at Bulwark Moving. We are 100% committed to providing superior customer service with honesty and integrity. We take your trust seriously and plan to keep it by exceeding your expectations with every service visit and relocation we provide for you and your family.

Why You Should Break Up with Your Insurance Company

There are many things to consider before deciding on your home insurance provider. It sort of reminds us of dating, you should get to know a little about each other before making any rash decisions. Be sure to cover all of  the variables  attached to home owners insurance. Premiums, coverage,service and flexibility are huge determining factors. Here are five compelling reasons why you should break up  with your insurance company.

When you and your home insurance provider entered into holy insurance matrimony, you may not have noticed all the little things that bothered you. You may have been blinded by love — or convenience — and rushed into a policy without getting to know the company. And now, you are feeling trapped in a relationship with a carrier that isn’t your best match. Luckily, home insurance policies aren’t forever. And if you have serious problems with your current provider, it may be time to part ways. So how do you know if it’s time to throw in the towel?

— 5 Reasons to Drop Your Insurance Company