Moving is an emotional and stressful time. Just remember that it is natural to have doubts, jitters, and concerns when making a move to a new home and/or a new location. One of the jobs of a
HomeBuyerConsultant is to help reduce the stress of a move.
HomeBuyerConsultants.Com
Inc. provides this checklist to help you plan and execute
your move with as little stress as possible. Go through the
checklist and check off the applicable items for your move (some
items do not apply for a local move).
2 months before the move date:
-Set up a file folder to keep all
moving records, notes, receipts, checklist, etc. so you can keep
the move information easily available and organized. Know what
you need to keep for a relocation package or taxes and have a
file for them.
-From the mail you receive,
start making a list of who will need a change of
address notification. List banks, credit cards,
insurance, government agencies, friends, family, etc.
-Reserve a rental moving truck if
you are moving yourself or arrange the move with a reputable
moving company (check with your Better Business Bureau and
AMSA).
-Assure that you have sufficient
insurance (your own and/or the moving company) to cover your
property during the move and storage. (Suggest you have photos
or video of furniture and expensive items being moved.)
-Obtain boxes, packing material, markers,
and tape (check with your mover).
-Start packing things you won't need
to use before the move.
-Label all packed boxes as to their
contents to facilitate
unloading and unpacking at your new location.
-Plan ahead for what you really
need to move to your new location.
-Set aside items you really
don't need to move to your new location.
-Have a garage or moving sale to get rid
of items you no longer need.
During the month before the move date:
-Items that did not sell and
items set aside after the sale, donate to charity (tax
deduction).
-Continue packing items you
won't need to use before the move.
-Obtain from the post office
forms to forward your mail and change of address cards .
-Make change of address
notifications (with the change date specified) to all who
need it (banks, credit card, subscriptions, relatives, business
associates, Social Security, pensions, investments, cellular phones,
etc.). Magazines and other 2nd class mail will not be
forwarded.
-Notify current utilities
of the disconnect date.
-Notify utilities at your new
location of the connect date.
-Notify insurance agent and/or company
of the date to cancel your homeowner's insurance.
-Gather any personal papers,
medical records, dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc. that you might
need.
-Gather appliance owner's manuals, active warranties, list of
service providers, keys, garage door openers, alarm information,
etc. for your current home and package them to leave for the new
owners.
-Make any special
arrangements, if needed, to move pets.
-Arrange for a little help from
your friends and family for baby sitting, cleaning, and/or loading
assistance on moving day if you will need it.
-Plan your menus to use up the food in
your freezer and refrigerator.
During the week before the move date:
-Give the post office your
forwarding address.
-Stop delivery of
newspapers.
-Pack the items that you will
need first (bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, etc.) when you arrive at your new home. Take these in your car
or pack last on the truck.
-Pack medicines, valuables,
checkbooks, backups of computer files, and important papers. Take these with you in your car to
the new location.
-Pack travel items,
prescriptions, and clothing you will need until you are
in your new home in suitcases to take with you in your
car to the new location.
-Service your
automobile(s) for the trip.
-Defrost, clean, and dry the
refrigerator and freezer. A box of baking soda packed
inside will keep them smelling fresh.
-Dispose of flammable liquids
and other hazardous items too dangerous to move. Drain fuel from any
gas powered items to be moved.
-Obtain traveler's checks and/or cash to
carry you through the move and empty your safety deposit box, if
need be.
-Assure you have access to keys, garage door openers, alarm codes,
etc. at your arrival to your new location.
Moving Day:
-Assure all doors and drawers on
items being moved are secured. (tape or tie)
-Assure boxes and furniture are
packed into the truck securely to prevent damage in transit.
Pack heaviest items on the bottom and lightest on the top. Use
plenty of furniture pads to prevent scratching and breakage.
-Assure your move file, valuables, important
papers, medicines, plants, and travel suitcases are packed in
your car.
-Assure the items you will need first
are packed into the truck last or in your car.
-Assure the interior is left at least "broom"
clean or arrangements for cleaning have been made.
-Make a final inspection of the
house, storage areas, and yard to assure everything to be moved
has been removed.
-Assure windows are closed and the
house is locked.
-Assure truck driver has the new
address, directions, and delivery date.
Arrival at New Home:
-If possible, arrive before movers and assure
the home is clean and ready for unpacking.
-Assure all utilities are connected
and working properly.
-Have someone available to show the movers
which rooms to put items in as they are being unloaded .
-Check for damage to items moved by the moving
company as they are being unloaded in case you need to file an insurance
claim.
-Plan your unpacking as to what you need
immediately and what can be unpacked later. Keep stress down by having a
plan and allowing several weeks to get unpacked and set up.
Follow-up Items:
-Note forwarded mail for need for
more change of address notifications.
-If needed, correct driver's license and
license plates for the new location.
-Find local banks and transfer
accounts.
-Find a local church and transfer
membership.
-Change voter registration.
-Find local insurance agents and
transfer accounts.
-Find local doctors / dentist and
transfer medical records.
-Find a local pharmacy and
transfer your prescriptions.
-Transfer school records to the new
schools.
-Check on mortgage exemptions to
reduce property taxes.