Moving your photos take some preparation in order to ensure that your catalog of memories stay with you.  Digital photography has made this tremendously easy.  Most of you will have your pictures stored electronically, which will make them very portable.  However, for all of those old-school photographs and negatives that you have of your family, there are some other things to consider.  For these photos, some extra care should be taken to prepare them for transport.  This is especially important for those that are older and have family significance.  

High temperatures and humidity can damage these photographs and negatives.  Therefore, you want to consider storing them properly with acid free paper between each photograph and keep them dry.  Further, if you are dealing with high humidity, you will want to consider avoiding plastic sleeves for storage, because the photos can stick to the surface which will cause damage.  When you are preparing the photos for your move, you want to make sure that when handling these photos you take extra care.  Depending on the photos, you may want to consider using gloves.  The oil on your skin can cause damage to these old photographs.  

When storing these photos for your move, you want to consider getting a box that is dark and not clear.  This will help prevent exposure to UV rays.  

Another way to ensure you always have these family memories, is to scan them digitally.  This way you will always have access to them and a backup copy.

Highland Moving and Storage listed their top destination provinces that Albertans are moving to. British Columbia and Ontario topped the list, followed by Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. Since January 2011 to May 2012 there have been 1064 move enquiries from Albertans wanting to move  to other provinces and territories.

Moving pets during the summer can pose a challenge because of the hotter temperatures.  It is so important to take the time to educate yourself about your options.  Whether you are hiring someone to transport your pet or you are doing it yourself, you need to be aware of potential travel restrictions because of the heat.  This is especially important if you have chosen to fly your pet.  If your pet is too big to travel in the passenger compartment, they will have to travel in the bulk head.  Because of this,  there are restrictions on traveling during certain temperatures.  

If you are traveling by car, take care not to leave your pet in the car during extreme heat.  Make sure to pack water containers so that you can make sure they stay hydrated during the journey.  

Before you move, make sure to consult your vet.  You not only want to assess the travel readiness of your pet but you also will need to get copies of vaccinations and health assessments.   While at this appointment you want to make sure you have medication refilled and vaccinations current.  This will ensure that you have all of your paperwork and are prepared for you pet’s journey.  For further information, see this great list of tips put together by your professionals at HIghland. 

For various reasons, you may be downsizing for a move.  The kids are gone and you have found yourself in a home that is now to large to manage.  Moving as you downsize is another chapter in life that is filled with excitement and emotion.  For those of you who have found yourself in this situation, moving on from your family home where the memories are so strong can be emotionally charged.  However, there are many things to keep in mind as you begin the process. 

The first thing you need to do is to begin to detach yourself from your current home.  It is the most difficult but the most important to the success of the move and your transition.  You will not be ready to ‘move on’ if you can’t leave your current home behind.  Therefore, find the right time to make the decision and stick with it.  Begin to detach by selling or giving some of your things away that will not fit in your new place.  This is a step in the right direction and an opportunity to help gain some cash to help fund your relocation. Filtering through your things will give you a chance to go down memory lane and come to terms with your decision.  Having someone close to help you will make all the difference.  Weeding through your items will also help you save on the cost of your move because you will be moving less of your things.  It will also give you an opportunity to pass things down to your family in an organized fashion.  As you move forward, you want to meet with your Highland professionals to understand the process.  They will be more than willing to help you get ready for your move.  Further, if you have designated a family member to help during the move, please make sure to let your professionals here at Highland know.  This way that can help both of you through the process.  

Keep in mind that finding the right place to move will make all the difference.  You will now look forward to the your new life in your new location and begin to fill that space with wonderful memories.

When looking for a realtor, it is important to make the right selection.  In order to be successful, you should be comfortable with your realtor and confident that he or she is the right person for the job.  Here are five questions that you should ask to help you make the right choice.

1. How long have you sold real estate and how long have you been a realtor in this market?  You want to get a clear understanding of the agent’s experience and their knowledge of the market conditions in your area. 
2. What is their specialty?  Are they a buyer’s or seller’s agent or both?  You want to know if they specialize in different transactions.  If they do, you may want to reconsider if their specialty does not best meet your current needs.  
3. Exclusive Agreements.  Sometimes a realtor will ask you to sign an exclusive agreement.  If so, definitely take the time to understand what you are agreeing to and signing.
4. Technical capabilities.  You want to assess the realtor’s access to technology and their savvy.  This is especially important if you are technologically savvy yourself.  You want assess your compatibility.  If you communicate with texts, email and instant messaging, you want your realtor to keep up with you.  So take the time to evaluate this before you get frustrated.
5. Personality and hobbies.  This is more subjective.  I mention this just because you will be spending a great deal of time with this person.  Therefore, you want to be sure to get along with your realtor.  Further, you not only will be spending a great deal of time but also it can be stressful.  Therefore, your personalities should be compatible.  This way you will be able to feel comfortable with this person and feel confident that they will navigate you successfully through the process.

I have just one word of caution.  If you find yourself in a position where you may be represented by the same agent for both sides of the transaction, be careful.  Although realtors are professional and will do their best, it is difficult to serve two masters.  Therefore, just keep that in mind before you make that choice.