CREIG SAYS...

Dear Friend:

Corporate relocation is something that many people consider to get ahead in the job they are currently in, and May is a popular month for many job seekers looking to relocate. In fact, the number of people that moved to another state for their job increased 11% just last year, meaning more and more people are willing to move for their job. The Washington area has the fourth-largest job base among metro areas, behind New York, the LA Basin, and Chicago. The MD/DC job market is a competitive place, especially in large companies or corporations. The abundance of business, employment, educational, and cultural opportunities means more and more people are moving into the area.

One of the greatest benefits of working with The Northrop Team is that we have corporate relocation specialists who possess an elevated level of expertise and experience beyond what you can expect from most real estate experts. A realtor specializing in relocation is trained to be a family advocate in all aspects of your move. In the confusion of a move to a new city, you can count on our real estate relocation experts to take you on area tours, assist in a spouse's job search, locate short-term rental or storage facilities should you need them, help with school selection, and provide a host of other resources on all aspects of your new community.

The Northrop Team sells homes in all Maryland locations transferees desire. We have offices in Howard, Carroll, Frederick, and now Montgomery County. Just this week we officially moved into our new Rockville office in the White Flint Shopping Center on Rockville Pike in North Bethesda!

So if you or someone who know is looking to move into the Maryland area, our team is here to help you enjoy the process.

Don't forget to celebrate all of the wonderful moms in your life this month. Happy Mother's Day to you all!


Creig Northrop
President

·  To view Northrop Team listings, click here.

·  To view Northrop Team Open Houses, click here.

UNPACK WITH A PLAN

Whether it's a move across town or across the country, we take great pride in smoothing the way. In fact, we routinely coordinate hundreds of details for relocating families, from helping to arrange flights, hotels, child care and tours of the area, to providing detailed information on everything from school systems, churches and vital community statistics. We know the potential headaches involved with a move. "Relocating can be one of the most difficult challenges a family faces. We want to take as much difficulty out of the move as possible. After all, that's our job," says Creig Northrop.

Once the moving truck is unloaded, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the stacks of boxes all around you. One of the best moving / packing tips around is to unpack with a plan. Unpacking in an organized manner can make the transition to your new home less stressful and can save you a lot of time and hassles. Try these tips for moving into your new house - and see the difference that having a plan can make!

1. Unpack Essentials First
If you packed with a plan, you should have a few boxes of essentials marked to be unpacked first. These boxes should include items like toiletries, pet supplies, basic tools, cleaning supplies, a couple changes of clothes, snacks, and so forth. Go ahead and unpack these boxes right away and distribute these essential items to their respective rooms (for example, put toiletries in the bathroom).

2. Clean and Prep Your New Home
Though it's tempting to dive right in and start unloading boxes, it's a good idea to clean, prep, and get organized. Here are some moving tips to help you prepare to unpack at your new home:

• Before you start unpacking in earnest, take the time to clean the house thoroughly. It's much easier to wipe down shelves, clean windows, and mop under appliances before your personal belongings are in place.
• Take the time now to complete any prep work. You can line kitchen and bathroom shelves with paper. You might also want to take the time to install closet systems in bedroom closets, if necessary. Once these jobs are done, you'll be able to unpack and put items away more quickly and efficiently.
• You'll also want to think through the best places to put certain items. For example, in the kitchen, plan to put dishes and glassware in the cupboards above the dishwasher, coffee cups above the coffeepot, vinegars and oils near the stove, and knives and cutting boards near your primary workspace. Plan to store infrequently used items, like the fondue pot and punch bowl, in out-of-the-way cupboards and cabinets. Deciding what goes where - not just in the kitchen, but throughout the house - before you begin to unpack will save you time in the long run.

3. Go Room by Room
Once you've unpacked essentials and cleaned/prepped your new home, it's time to start going through boxes. Focus on one room at a time, and unpack essentials first. Though it can feel like an insurmountable task, rest assured: Your house is going to feel like home in no time!

• Kitchen and Baths. In the kitchen, unpack most-used items first. Items that you won't need right away can be set aside to unpack at a later time. In the bathrooms, hang shower curtains, unpack toiletries, and put out toilet paper and soap.
• Bedrooms. In your bedrooms, try to have the beds set up and made with clean sheets by the first night. Beyond that, take your time unpacking your clothing and bedroom accessories. Again, now is a good time to think through the best way to organize your closet.
• Living Room. Unpacking the living room should be a combined effort by everyone in the household. There will be a lot of items to be placed and electronics to hook up.
• Garage. Having an organized garage is a daunting task for most. If you didn't already take the time to set up shelves and hooks for placement of tools, yard supplies, and sports equipment, now is a good time to do so. Having organizational systems in place now might help you curb the tendency for making piles later.

4. Play Interior Designer
Arranging furniture is an integral part of getting settled into your new home. Place furniture so the room feels open and functional. Keep traffic patterns open; don't place furniture in front of doorways. Strive for balance by distributing heavier pieces of furniture around the room. Work with a natural focal point, like a fireplace or picture window, or create a focal point.

When preparing to shift furniture around, it's a good idea to make a sketch of the room, including where you would like certain items placed. Erasing an armoire, rather than lifting it, could save you a trip to the chiropractor.

Your house probably won't look like what you'd envisioned for a few more months, but here are some quick and easy tips for making your house feel like home more quickly:

• Hang shades, blinds, or curtains for instant privacy and a homey feel.
• Consider painting rooms a different color, or stenciling around an archway.
• Refinish old cabinets or add new knobs.
• Hang family photographs, mirrors, and framed artwork.
• Add potted plants for extra color or to fill empty corners.

Helpful Tips for Setting Up

• As boxes are unpacked, take an inventory of everything you have to make sure nothing has been lost. If you have any broken or damaged items, make sure to keep them as evidence. You must file all insurance claims within a limited number of days after the move, depending on your moving company's regulations.
• If you're setting up a computer or stereo equipment, you may want to consider purchasing a surge protector for the safety of these items and yourself.
• As you unpack boxes, collapse them for storage or recycling.
• Start a log of home repairs and maintenance that needs to be done.
• Create a shopping list to make sure you have everything you need.

With these helpful tips you can survive the packing phase and the hustle-and-bustle of moving week. Now it's time to unpack and settle in to your new home.

ATTENTION FREDERICK RESIDENTS!
Here are two events you don't want to miss…

Frederick Running Festival
Saturday, May 3rd-Sunday May 4th

The Northrop Team is proud to be HOME STRETCH sponsors of this year's Frederick Running Festival. See you at the finish line!

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Saturday May 3: The Health & Fitness Expo

11-8:30pm: Packet Pick-up and Sports Expo
6-8pm---Kick-Off Party with Live Music, Irish Dancers, bag pipers and more!
7pm---Twilight 5K Race
8pm---Twilight Awards Ceremony

Sunday May 4: Race Day

6:30am---Marathon, Half-Marathon, and Team Relay Races Start
8-2pm--- Sports Expo and Celebration Village Activities
8-2pm--- Live Music on the Stage
12pm--- Awards Ceremony

All events take place at the Frederick Fairgrounds.

Visit www.frederickmarathon.org for details and directions.

FREDERICK REAL ESTATE OPEN FORUM
Talk with the Experts
Saturday, May 10th
10am-12 pm

The Spring market is here and it's time to find out how to accomplish your personal real estate goals from the # 1 Real Estate Team in Maryland. Join us and learn about:

• Home Sale Prices in your Neighborhood
• Home Appraisals
• Expected Days on Market
• Short Sales & Financial Distress
• First Time Home Buying
• Building Wealth Through Investments
• Can You Sell Your Home Today-Yes You Can!
• How New Loan Limits in MD help Buyers and Sellers
• How to Stage Your Home for a Successful Sale...and more

Plus, participants are eligible to receive exclusive discounts from our mortgage, title insurance and home service partners:

• $500 Lender Credit from Prosperity Mortgage
• $200 Credit toward Settlement Services
• Home Service Connections discounts and specials: 15% off local moves, moving supplies, storage, home inspections, appliance repairs and much more!