MOVING TIPS
Are you excited about moving into your new home? Along with all the expectation, you are most likely feeling some anxiety over preparing to move. However, following the suggestions below can help you anticipate each step of the process and hopefully avoid any last minute hassles. Read through the list now to get a sense of what is coming, then use each section as a checklist to make sure you are ready.
8 Weeks Before Moving
- Make a file folder that will store important documents, such as estimates from moving companies and receipts. Consult your tax advisor regarding expenses that are tax deductible.
- Conduct some research on your new neighborhood. Find out where businesses like grocery stores, dry cleaners, gas stations, and restaurants are located in your new town.
- Many cities provide a packet of information to new residents through the Chamber of Commerce. Call to request one.
- Make a budget for moving expenses, including a moving company, and then begin requesting estimates.
- Decide what each room in your new house will be for.
7 Weeks Before Moving
- Get copies of all legal and financial records.
- Organize and review your medical records, make sure to request any records that you do not have copies of. Let your medical providers know that you will be moving and ask for referrals to practitioners in your new area.
- Repeat this process with your veterinarian, receiving a copy of all records and asking for referrals.
- Call your insurance company and ask them to change your address. Also make sure that they make you aware of any rate adjustments based on your new address.
- Make arrangements for school records to be transferred for your children to the district of your new home.
- Make an appointment with representatives of any clubs or organizations that have a membership fee. Inform them you will be moving and make arrangements to end the relationship or transfer your membership to your new location.
6 Weeks Before Moving
- Notify family and friends of your new address.
- Start evaluating each room to determine items you do not want to keep and pack. Plan a garage sale and select a charity that will accept unwanted items.
- Identify fragile objects and make a plan to hand carry these items or ship them under special conditions.
- Plan ahead to use up items that do not travel, like frozen foods and cleaning products.
- Consider subscribing to the newspaper in your new neighborhood to learn more about the community.
5 Weeks Before Moving
- Acquire packing supplies and begin packing items that are not used regularly.
- Complete your evaluation of your belongings and plan how you are going to dispose of unwanted items. Be sure to collect receipts when you donate to charities.
- Decide if you need to rent a storage bin and, if so, make arrangements.
4 Weeks Before Moving
- Complete the postal form for a change of address. The post office can hold your mail in your new city if your home is not ready to receive mail.
- Arrange for all of your utilities to be shut the day after you leave your house, and your new home to have them turned on the day before you arrive.
- Plan how your pets will arrive at your new home.
- Hold your garage sale during this weekend.
- Cancel your newspaper subscriptions after prepaying for the next 4 weeks.
3 Weeks Before Moving
- Return any outstanding library books and pick up all dry cleaning.
- Dispose of hazardous items.
- Have scheduled maintenance performed on your car, even if it is slightly ahead of schedule.
- Transfer your automobile registration to your new address.
2 Weeks Before Moving
- Notify credit card companies and other bill collectors that you have changed addresses.
- Transfer your bank account to the branch office in your new neighborhood or close the accounts, make sure to hang on to some cash to get you to your new location and pay for things until you are settled.
- Confirm travel arrangements for pets and family.
- Plan your menu so that you do not buy food that goes to waste. Come up with meals that need little preparation during the last weeks before the move.
- Collect any items that you will turn over the new owners of the house.
1 Weeks Before Moving
- Finalize packing and label the box that contains items you want to unpack immediately upon arriving. Pack your suitcases and valuables separately.
- Empty any gas tanks including lawn mowers, gas grills or kerosene heaters.
- Drain water hoses and waterbeds.
- Empty your refrigerator the day before you move, then unplug the unit to allow it to defrost and clean it after the condensation has melted.
- Unplug all appliances and prepare them for the move.
- Fill prescriptions that will be due in the first few weeks after you move.
- Arrange childcare for the day you are moving.
Moving Out
- Carry out arrangements made for children and pets. Make sure caregivers know of your moving plans and how to contact you in case of an emergency.
- Load your belongings in a pre-designated order. It is best to first load items that you need the least and make sure to put the heaviest items on the bottom.
- Do a final check in every room, including closets and cabinets, to make sure that nothing has been forgotten.
- Leave your new address with the future residents so that stray mail can be forwarded.
Moving In
- Since you are likely to arrive to your new home before your belongings have, go through the house and check that your utilities have been connected and that appliance are functioning properly.
- Decide where you want your furniture to be placed so that you can give clear directions once your possessions have arrived.
- Confirm arrival time of goods and make sure you are there.
After You Move
- Store all receipts and documentation in your move file.
- Update your driver’s license with your new address and register to vote.
- Send out change of address announcements.
- Enjoy decorating and organizing your new home!
GETTING RID OF EXTRA ITEMS
I know that the idea of moving can seem daunting, but it is also the perfect opportunity to get rid of the extra items that you have accumulated. Now is the time to go through your house room by room and toss out any possessions that you do not need. This will prevent you from spending time and money packing things you will not want.
Develop criteria that will help you to weed out items that are not worth taking with you to your new home. Here are some questions to consider:
- Does it have sentimental value?
- Who gave it to you?
- Does it have monetary value?
- Does anyone use it?
- When is the last time it was used?
- Will you use it again before you would want an updated version?
- Is there room for it in our new home?
- Will you miss it if it is gone?
Take inventory of everything you decide to keep and assign replacement values for insurance purposes. Plan to sell or donate anything that does not make the cut. Make sure to properly dispose of any hazardous materials, such as cleaning products and paint.
Pack away stuff that you know you will not use for a while. Since so many things need to be done at the last minute, it is a good idea to pack as much as possible before crunch times comes. Use up items that cannot be moved, such as foods that are stored in your freezer.
Following these suggestions will keep you ahead of the game. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
PLANNING FOR A MOVE
Now that you have sold your house and found a new home to live in, it is time to begin the transition. Moving can be a stressful time, but planning ahead will help you from becoming overwhelmed. Below are some helpful hints to ease you through the process.
First and foremost, it is essential to purchase the proper packing materials, such as bubble wrap, boxes, peanuts, paper and tape – all of which can be bought from moving or truck-rental companies. They often sell kits; for example, a dish cell for protecting china and crystal, or wardrobe boxes that allow you to keep clothes on hangers.
If you are hiring a professional moving company, it is a good idea to inquire for estimates approximately 6-8 weeks prior to moving, if possible. This is especially important if you are moving during the peak summer season between May and September. There are two types of estimates offered; a binding estimate, which guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the statement, and a non-binding estimate, which is an approximation of the cost and is subject to change. Once you have decided on a company to use, call to schedule the date of the move. As your moving date approaches, call to confirm the arrangement with the company.
It is important to plan ahead and start packing early. Choose a “packing room” where you can store packed boxes and packing materials. Begin packing items that you won’t need a few weeks before the move and box up a few items each day. Because many things cannot be done until the last minute, it is essential to do as much as possible before that time.
Pack one room at a time and be sure to label each box with its destination as well as a description of its contents. This will make unpacking easier.
When packing a box, pour a layer of packing peanuts on the bottom for cushion. Make sure to place the heaviest items on the bottom. Once the box has been packed, use packing peanuts or crumpled packing paper to fill empty spaces and prevent contents from shifting. Make certain after you pack a box that you can still lift it easily. To reduce the chance of breakage, unpack fragile items over the box that you are taking them out of, so if you accidentally drop it, it will land on some cushion.
Remember that hazardous materials may not be shipped. These items include paint, nail polish and remover as well as cleaning and laundry products. It is best if you personally transport irreplaceable items, such as keepsake photos, financial and legal documents, medical records, jewelry and other valuables. Also, make certain that each family member has a bag packed with essential items for the first few nights. These items should be carried with you rather than packed in the moving truck. It might be a good idea to have some snacks as well as a simple meal that you can just heat and serve for when you arrive in your new home. Don’t forget to have sheets, bath towels and kitchen utensils handy.
Once everything is packed, it is important to have a strategy to load the truck. It is best to first load items that you need the least and make sure to put the heaviest items on the bottom. House plants should be loaded last and unloaded first.
Make arrangements for children and pets to spend moving day with a family member or close friend. If you can, move on a weekday, when banks and utility companies are open. Most moving companies only accept cash, certified check or money order. All charges must be paid before your shipment is unloaded at your new house.
To make the change-of-address process smoother, order preprinted address labels with your new address as soon as you know it. Send out change of address notices to family, friends, employers, schools, banks, credit cards, doctors’ offices, utility companies, etc. Keep a checklist so that you know who you have informed of your address change. Don’t forget to transfer services for your utilities. If possible, make sure that power and water are functioning properly at your new home before you arrive and leave them on at your old address for a few days so you can do any necessary clean-up after the move.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY
Moving into a new home is a great time to evaluate how you can conserve energy to save money and help the environment. There is a website that I would like to share with you that provides energy saving tips for lighting, heating, cooling, water and appliances as well as car. It is http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/. I encourage you to go through the house room by room in order to determine what steps you can take to use energy more efficiently.
With gas prices so high, it is always important to reduce the amount of gas we use. The website http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml discusses how driving speed affects gas mileage and provides tips for getting the best gas mileage you can.
I hope that these websites prove to be useful and I look forward to being of any assistance with your real estate needs. Feel free to call me at or email me at don@leskerealty.com.
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