Now that we are into those chilly winter months it's time to make sure you are thinking and acting efficiently when it comes to keeping the heat in your home!

Follow the tips below for keeping your home warm this winter.

• Leave your faucets dripping slightly especially the ones that are served by exposed pipes, this will help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Disconnect water to hoses or lines from your outside spigots as well as any outdoor sprinkler systems!
• Lay down rugs over your wood floors during the winter, not only will it be cozy on bare feet but it will help to keep you room warmer, by trapping heat!
• Float your furniture away from walls that may have heating vents!
• Insulate unfinished rooms such as garages and sunrooms if they contain exposed pipes
• Keep your house warm – at least 60-65 degrees! Or install a programmable thermostat, which will help to keep you bill low and efficiency high! This Old House suggests the following:
• 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 68 degrees
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 60 degrees
• 5:30 to 11 p.m. = 68 degrees
• 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 60 degrees
• Check to see if your ceiling fan has a winter or revere setting. By moving your ceiling fan in the opposite direction, clockwise spinning will push heat back down that is rising. Try this at a low speed!
  • Keep your garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage
  • Open your cabinet’s doors in the kitchen & bathroom under the sink so allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • If you have radiators put tinfoil on the back of the radiator – this reflects heat back into the room – but make sure to monitor closely. This helps to trap the heat and let it spread evenly throughout the room versus up towards the ceiling.
• Stay warm this winter by trying these tips, and before your know it spring will be upon us!

• Create A System: simplify the moving process by making a packing plan and schedule
• Choose Wisely: you will want to make sure your transportation has enough room for all your things, especially if the move is far and you are not planning on taking 2 trips. Generally the contents of a 1 bedroom apartment will fit in a 16-foot cube truck, while 2 or 3 bedrooms usually will fit in a 24- or 26-foot truck.
• Make a plan: before you start packing or contact movers, create an itemized list of everything that should be done and follow it as you go. This will make the move easier for yourself and others who are helping you. If you are using movers, make an inventory as you pack and check it when you unpack to make sure none of your items were lost.
• Communicate: once you have a plan, make sure your movers are aware of your requirements. The more communication there is the more prepared everyone will be. For example if you are moving into a condo or apartment, contact the landlord and ask if there is anything you should know about moving into the building
• Get Rid of It: Before you start packing, get your junk under control! Go room to room and decide what you can live without, what you can sell, donate or just toss.
• Label Everything: this will help make unpacking simpler by giving each box a label and a number.
• Save a box to ship: Once everything is cleared out, you still may stumble upon a few forgotten items. Keep an extra empty box so when it's time to lock up and leave you can simply ship the forgotten items to your new home.

Hopefully all these tips from thenest.com will help you with your next move, maybe into a new house for the New Year? For more tips on how to make your move as stress-free as possible, view our moving checklist!

Its true that winter can be a slow when trying to set up showings to sell your home! With a few tips from Veterans United Real Estate and Realtor.com you will be able to feel a little bit better about selling your home this winter!

• Display the year-round beauty - make sure there are seasonally appropriate exterior photos of your property but also have on hand photos from the spring, summer & fall will give buyers a sense of year-round beauty.
• "Warm & cozy" is key - create this ambiance to encourage the right buyer reaction, turn on the heat, highlight a functional fireplace, and use throws and rugs to instantly warm a room.
• Decorate tastefully - classic Christmas lights or a scented holiday candle can welcome buyers and lift spirits. Take advantage of the holiday season by encouraging sellers to incorporate attractive holiday decor.
• Keep the tight lending climate in mind when pricing and marketing your winter listings.
• Inventory often shrinks during the winter. With fewer houses on the market, its easier to give your listing a comparative advantage.
• Place a holiday welcome mat outside the front door to welcome potential buyers with some holiday cheer.
• Keep your driveway and walkway free of snow and ice!  Don't make it hard for buyers to get inside your home. If your not currently living in the home you're trying to sell, hire someone to take care of this maintenance for you, it will be well worth the cost!
• Keep your home well lit! If your home is vacant keep your lights on a timer, prospective buyers may do a "drive-by" before scheduling a showing and a well lit home looks engaging and inviting!