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You’ve just closed on the home of your dreams, and now moving day is finally here! And if that isn’t stressful enough, you need to get your pet safely from point A to point B without causing either of you too much anxiety. If you’re moving with your dog or cat, or both, then you may be wondering how to make the transition as smooth and hassle-free as possible. What obstacles will you encounter along the way, and how can you prepare for what lies ahead with a minimal amount of stress? After all, Fido and Kitty may feel uncertain and even frightened in a new environment, not knowing what to expect. And since most of us consider our pets family, finding safe and comfortable ways to move them, causing them as little upset as possible, is a high priority. So, if you want to learn how best to navigate your move with your furry companion, read on for 5 great tips to ensure you and your pet experience a smooth and safe transition to your new home!

1. Preparing Your Pet for the Move

You can never be too prepared when moving with your pet. Some can experience major anxiety and stress when moving, especially cats. Pet experts suggest taking your dog for a short walk around the new neighborhood a few times if possible, to acclimate them to their new environment. Once your pet is familiar with some of the new sights, sounds and smells it may encounter, you can face moving day with more confidence.

Flying on a plane with a dog or cat can often be challenging. Your airline will have specific rules for flying with pets. Call the airline ahead of time to see what precautions to take to ensure they’ll be as comfortable as possible.

2. Research a New Veterinarian in Your Area

If you are moving to a new area, you should begin researching a new veterinarian asap. Ask your present vet or new neighbors for recommendations. Make sure to note the address and phone number of the closest pet emergency hospital to be prepared if something unexpected happens during the move. You’ll also have one less thing to worry about if you ensure your pet’s vaccinations and prescriptions are up to date before you move.

3. Your Pet’s Moving Day Essentials Kit

Remember to set aside a labeled box for your pet’s belongings. Keep their favorite toys on hand to make them feel more comfortable in their carrier or crate. Also, it’s a good idea on a long trip to keep your pet’s food and bowls, treats, grooming supplies, leash, litter boxes and cleaning supplies handy. Keep your new vet and the Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888) 426-4435 accessible. It’s unlikely, but sometimes, a beloved pet may temporarily get lost in the confusion of moving. To prevent this from happening, ensure your pet gets chipped before you move, or if that’s not an option, ensure its collar tag is up to date with your correct phone number and new address.

4.Traveling the Day of Your Move

Whether your new home is 20 miles away or 1,000 miles away, traveling in a car with your pet isn’t always fun. Vets say to resist the urge to take Fluffy out of the carrier or crate while the car is in motion. Remember that just like a human, an unrestrained pet can get seriously hurt in an accident. Experts agree that restraining your dog or cat in the back seat with a crate or pet-safe seat belt is the safest practice for everyone. Your pet will feel more secure, and you’ll breathe a sigh of relief knowing it will arrive safely at your destination. Most cats are especially stressed in cars, so keeping them in their crate at all times is the smart choice. On a longer drive, to prevent bathroom accidents, make sure to stop every two hours to allow your pet to relieve itself, drink water and stretch its legs. While this is not difficult for dogs, for cats, experimentation with their litter box and its placement may require some patience.

5. Adjusting to a New Home

Adjusting to a new home takes time and patience for the whole family, especially your pets. Some may adapt quickly, while others may adjust in time. Dogs usually have an easier time than cats, who will ultimately need more time to explore their new environment on their own terms without any pressure. The main thing pet experts say is to maintain your pets’ consistency with meals and potty breaks. Always ensure that there is a designated place for water, food bowls and litter boxes. Try taking your dogs out for walks several times a day to tire them out when they seem stressed.

Moving with pets is never easy but following these essential tips may help make the transition to loving their new home much quicker and easier.

Pets Make a House a Home

At Premier Mortgage Associates, we know your furry companion means everything to you, providing endless hours of joy and making your house feel more like a home. Whether you’ve found a property with a big yard that offers more space for your pet to run around, or an area with walking trails and a dog park, our experienced team is ready to assist you in financing the home of your dreams. For more than 25 years, Premier Mortgage Associates has been helping clients find exceptional loan products to fit their budget and lifestyle. Our mortgage specialists are the best in the business and are passionate about helping their clients.

Has your dream of homeownership been dashed because your credit score doesn’t measure up? Well, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans just like you have less than stellar credit scores that can impact the ability to purchase a home, new car and get personal loans or more credit. If you’re saving to buy a home soon, then arming yourself with a good or excellent credit score is essential. Interest rates are still at record lows, and if you plan to take advantage of these competitive rates, your credit needs to be in top shape. Finance experts agree that checking in on your financial health, including your credit score, is one of the smartest moves you can make. Your FICO score is one of the most important indicators of your credit health. The scores range from 300 to 850, with scores between 800 and 850 rated as superior by lenders. Aim high and make it a routine to do something every month to improve and raise your score. Consolidate your debts into a credit card with a low balance transfer and try to pay off as much of your debt as you can. Check out these other practical suggestions to get smart about credit and give your score a boost:

Pay your credit card bills on time.

It seems like a no-brainer. But you’d be surprised how many people forget to pay their bills on time. When it comes to your credit health, late payments are a detriment. It’s important to keep track of when your bills are due, whether you pay them online or through the mail. Late fees can be exorbitant, some up to $40 a cycle and can negatively impact your credit score for up to seven years. Yes, seven years! When you pay your bills on time, it shows lenders you are responsible and can be trusted to pay back their loan on time.

Lower your utilization rate.

Your credit score is affected by your utilization rate. So, if you have a $2,000 limit on one card and your balance is $1,000, your utilization rate is 50%. Financial experts agree that your overall credit utilization should not exceed 30%. A good strategy to lower your utilization rate is to pay off your balances every month. If that’s not possible, you should try to pay more than the minimum payment. Even $10 extra more per month will help you get there faster.

Keep old credit cards to establish a long history.

Your credit card’s age can impact your score—positively. How long you hold on to your credit cards accounts for 10% of your credit score. You may be inclined to cut up your credit card after you’ve paid it off like a job well done—but not so fast! If possible, your older cards should be held on to because they help establish a beneficial credit history.

Pay down your cards to lower your DTI ratio.

It’s essential to pay the minimum balance on your credit cards and loans at the very least. The more you can throw at your balance every month, the better. That’s because lenders look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when determining how much house you can afford. A DTI is determined by the amount of debt and how it relates to your income. In general, the lower your DTI ratio, the better the chance you’ll have of obtaining a mortgage at a rate you want. Lenders like to see a DTI ratio lower than 36%, with no more than 28% of your debt going to your mortgage payment each month.

Don’t open new lines of credit or take out new loans.

Your credit history is one of your credit score’s main components, and new credit inquiries, called “hard” inquiries, can harm your score and mortgage eligibility. Hard inquiries can stay on your credit report for years. So, if purchasing a home in the near future is your goal, then hold off on buying that new car, large appliance, or new computer for the time being because it could impact your credit score negatively.

The Bottom Line

There are many ways you can improve your credit score and build it up, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an easy fix. Take the time to do it right by consistently paying your bills on time, not spending more than you earn and putting as much money as possible towards the monthly balance. In time you’ll see that balance shrink and your credit score rise leading to better loan opportunities! The mortgage specialists at Premier Mortgage Associates have been helping people achieve the dream of homeownership for over 25 years. We know that qualifying for a mortgage can be frustrating at times, and you may not always know who to trust or turn to for advice. We’re a trusted lender with a reputation for customer satisfaction. We’ll help you make smart decisions by presenting you with your best options. And to ensure you don’t make any mistakes, we will be with you every step of the way.  To learn more about our loan products and programs, contact one of our mortgage specialists today!