For those who recently bought or sold a house, it may be only a matter of time before you need to pack up your belongings and move them to a new address. As such, you'll likely need to figure out how to properly pack your artwork to reduce the risk of damage while moving.

Luckily, we're here to help you take the guesswork out of packing your artwork prior to moving day.

Let's take a look at three best practices for packing artwork.

1. Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper

Acid-free tissue paper offers advanced protection against moisture – a serious problem that may cause artwork to fade or deteriorate.

You should have no trouble finding acid-free tissue paper at any store that sells moving and packing supplies. Plus, acid-free tissue paper usually is inexpensive and can make a world of difference as you pack up your artwork.

Ideally, you'll want to wrap an entire piece of art in acid-free tissue paper. This will offer immense protection until you unwrap your artwork once you reach your new home.

2. Take Advantage of Specialty Boxes

Specialty moving boxes are available for artwork. Pick up a few of these boxes, and you can pack your artwork accordingly.

Use caution as you place artwork inside a moving box. Ensure the artwork is secure inside the box before you seal the box as well.

Also, don't forget to label all moving boxes, including those that contain artwork. Place a "Fragile" label on boxes that contain artwork to further minimize the risk of damage during your move.

3. Store Artwork Carefully in a Moving Truck

When moving day arrives, you'll want to do everything possible to guarantee your artwork travels safely from Point A to Point B. If you place artwork on its edges and in a spot where it won't fall over inside a moving truck, you can limit the chance that your artwork will get damaged while in transit.

In addition, you may be able to wedge artwork between heavy objects in a moving truck. That way, you can secure your artwork throughout the moving cycle.

If you require extra help as you pack your artwork and other belongings, it often pays to hire a professional moving company. This business employs friendly, knowledgeable moving experts who can help you streamline the process of getting all of your belongings to a new address.

Lastly, a real estate agent is happy to put you in touch with moving companies in your area. This housing market professional understands the challenges associated with packing artwork and other items and can provide plenty of support as you get ready for moving day. Furthermore, a real estate agent will ensure anyone can achieve the optimal results during the homebuying or home selling cycle.

Simplify the process of packing up your artwork – use the aforementioned best practices, and you can quickly and effortlessly prepare your artwork for moving day.

If you plan to sell your house in the near future, it often pays to focus on your garage. In fact, doing so may help you find innovative ways to differentiate your residence from other available houses and boost your chances of a fast, profitable home sale.

Ultimately, there are many quick, easy ways to transform an ordinary home garage into an exceptional one – here are three tips to help you do just that.

1. Remove Clutter

From rusty automotive parts to assorted paint cans and tools, your garage may be filled with a wide range of excess items. However, if you spend some time decluttering, you can cut down on excess items and improve your garage's appearance.

Separate must-keep items from excess ones in your garage. Then, if you have an abundance of clutter, you can host a yard sale or list excess items online.

Furthermore, if you're struggling to get rid of garage clutter, you may be able to donate some items to charity. By doing so, you can do a good deed and eliminate clutter from your garage at the same time.

2. Perform Deep Cleaning

A neat, well-organized garage can make a world of difference in homebuyers' eyes. Thus, you should focus on cleaning your garage from top to bottom.

Sweeping the floors usually offers a great starting point for garage cleaning. You also can wipe down tool benches and other garage surfaces and vacuum your garage as needed.

In addition, don't forget to err on the side of caution as you clean your garage. And if it's been many months since you last cleaned your garage, you should wear goggles, hand protection and a face mask while you clean.

3. Consult with a Real Estate Agent

When it comes to getting a home garage show-ready, hiring a real estate agent is a must. With a real estate agent at your side, you can find the best ways to enhance your house's appearance both inside and out.

Typically, a real estate agent will meet with you before you list your house. He or she then will examine each area of your home – including the garage – and offer honest, unbiased home maintenance and improvement tips. That way, you can prioritize various home upgrades.

A real estate agent will even provide expert support throughout the home selling journey. For example, if you need extra help cleaning your garage, a real estate agent can put you in contact with professional home cleaning companies in your city or town. Or, if you're unsure about how much your home is actually worth, a real estate agent can provide housing market data to help you price your residence appropriately.

Unfortunately, home sellers sometimes ignore garage cleaning as they prep their residences for the real estate market. But with the aforementioned tips, you should have no trouble upgrading your garage and transforming this area into a key differentiator for your home.

Photo by Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock

After a significant storm or catastrophic event, you may determine that moving to a different climate is right for your household. The question becomes, do you repair all the damage to your home before you sell it, or do you offer it “as is” so that the buyer takes on that cost. Sometimes, if you take care of the damage problem quickly, you’re only left with minor repairs. Often, though, it can seem like the entire house needs fixing.

To figure out which is right for your situation, review these pros and cons of each choice.

Making Repairs vs. Selling "As-Is"

• Repairing water damaged areas will net you more if you have the resources and the time to make the repairs before you sell. You can ask a higher price when you sell. But often, this process involves waiting for insurance money, hiring contractors, completing repairs and having the adjuster inspect the work. Meanwhile, you must find a place to live while they fix the water-damaged areas. That means spending a lot for out-of-pocket expenses.
• Additionally, you’ll need to put extra effort into making sure that buyers feel comfortable and confident in the house’s repairs, which means hiring professional inspectors, documenting mold mitigation and repairing even minor damages. All this might not be worth the investment.
• When you don’t have the time or money to fix the repairs, you can sell your house “as-is," water damaged and all. You won’t get as much money for the property, but you can get out of it and into a new home sooner. In many instances, your knowledgeable agent can market to investors that willingly give you a cash sale offer. The best part about it is you won’t have to do anything. All the money you would have spent on repairs, contractors and professional inspectors can stay in your pocket or go toward your new home.

Selling to an Investor

Selling a water-damaged house to an investor is one of the best options. An investor will pay cash for your property without requiring you to fix anything. Here are the best practices to make it a great sale:

• Do not hide the water damage! Whatever you do, don’t try to hide that your home experienced flooding.
• Legally, whether selling "as is" to an investor or an interested buyer, disclosing water damage is a requirement; this is because water damage may introduce harmful chemicals, materials, or pathogens into the home, which can lead to mold growth in the future. Trying to cover up water damage can land you in court. Do yourself a favor. Let any buyer know about past water damage in your home.

How to Sell a Flood-Damaged House

If you have the money from an insurance payout, make the repairs. You can fetch a higher price on the market. But when this investment isn’t worth the cost, it’s often a better choice to sell your water-damaged home to an investor instead. If this sounds like a good possibility for you, ask your real estate professional to market your home to investors so you can resettle your household in a better home.