Establish a plan for how you will manage the move and stick to it. A Move Coordinator can be helpful in walking through a detailed plan and providing you counsel throughout.
One Month Before
- Clean out closets, attic, basement, cupboards, toy chests, and bookshelves. Discard anything you don't want or need.
- Consider having a tag or garage sale. Keep in mind your best customer could be the purchaser of your present home.
- Donate unwanted items to charitable organizations (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, libraries, and thrift shops). Remember to obtain a receipt for tax purposes.
- Evaluate whether or not to ship your appliances. Consider their age, size, and color. If your stove, refrigerator, washer, and dryer won't match or fit in your new home, consider selling them. Also, consider selling chandeliers and ceiling fans with the home, unless you have special sentimental reasons for moving them.
- Take a complete inventory of items to be moved.
- Decide if you will move all of your plants or just your favorites.
- Use up your fresh and frozen foods, as they can't be safely shipped. It is also advisable to diminish your supply of canned goods.
- Notify the security company, lawn or snow removal services, along with any other regular services of your move date.
- Notify your Post Office, publications, and correspondents of your change of address and move date.
- Check your savings and checking accounts. Plan to transfer deposits so you won't lose interest.
- Arrange to collect advance deposits, or security deposits, on utilities or rentals.
- Check your Homeowner's Insurance. It may be applied to your new residence, or reapplied to the home's future owner's policy, with prorated payments.
- Be sure to coordinate insurance so you're immediately covered on your new residence. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Insurance can provide for all your needs.
- Check on club membership fees. The money may be refunded or you might consider transferring/selling the membership to a friend.
- Check with your veterinarian on any travel preparation needed for your pets. Check your moving company's policy on pet coverage.
- Register children for school and transfer all necessary school records.
Two Weeks Before
- Contact telephone, electric, gas, and water companies to advice specific date on which to discontinue services.
- Advice utility companies when to start services in your new location.
- Check requirements for new driver's license and auto registration.
- Advice dairy, laundry, and newspaper delivery to discontinue services.
- Be sure to clean out school or gymnasium lockers.
- Ask your present physician and dentist for referrals in the new location. Transfer medical records and get copies of prescriptions. If members of the family have any ongoing medical or dental treatment program, arrange for the practitioner to prorate the payments with the professional in your new area.
- Transfer insurance records. Verify that all your insurance provides adequate coverage in the city to which you are relocating.
- Arrange for the transfer of valuables. Check contents of your safe-deposit box. Do not ship valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal, documents, currency, stamp, and coin collections with the moving company; either carry them with you or send them by insured or certified registered mail.
- Do not ship combustible and flammable items. These include oil-based paints, bleach, cleaning and lighting fluids, matches, and ammunition. All aerosol cans should be eliminated from the shipment, including hair sprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, and car cleaners. Use up or discard these items.
One Week Before
- Keep a detailed record and receipts of your moving expenses for tax and reimbursement purposes, including transportation, lodging, and meals.
- Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blowers, etc. Gas grills and kerosene heaters must be empty. If transported by van, cars and motorcycles should have as little gas as possible. If transported by auto-carrier, cars should have no more than half of a tank.
- Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
- Check to make sure you didn't leave anything at the dry cleaners.
- Put linens and pillows in the dresser drawers, to have handy for making beds the first night in your new home.
- Place draperies lengthwise on hangers and hang in closet. The movers will place tem in wardrobe cartons.
- Prepare a 'ready box' for last-on/first-off of the moving van. This might include essentials from your kitchen and bathroom. Think about including a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and nails.
- Prepare a 'ready box' with necessary medications and first aid supplies.
- Help prepare your children for the move by providing them with their own special treasures. Set aside toys and games for the kids and pack a box of snacks.
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours in advance of the move.
- Remember to keep your telephone connected throughout loading day.
One Day Before
- The packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded; be sure someone is on-hand to supervise the packing.
- Pack any valuables you intend to take with you personally.
- Make sure fragile items receive special attention. Label carton contents and where they go in the new home.
- Gather keys to the house and arrange to leave them with the new owners of your home, your real estate agent, or a trusted neighbor.
- Notify police if your home will be unoccupied after you leave.
- Notify a close friend or relative of your itinerary in case of emergency.
The Day Of The Move-Out
- Check the mover's inventory to see that you agree with the mover's judgment on the condition of your household goods. Take photographs if there is a dispute.
- Load those things you are taking on the trip, including luggage.
- Search every room before the van leaves.
- Check the inventory for completeness before you sign it.
- Retain a copy of the signed inventory for your records.
- Record the van driver's name and give him or her your contact numbers at the destination. Confirm directions to the new residence.
- Turn off the water heater. Set your thermostat at 55 degrees.
The Day Of The Move-In
- Arrive before the movers.
- Contact utility companies.
- Check appliances, furnace, and hot water heater. Contact a repair person if something is not working.
- Check household goods carefully for loss or damage as they are unloaded. List all lost or damaged items on the inventory form.
- Since you will probably do some unpacking after the movers leave, make a note on the inventory 'subject to inspection for loss or concealed damage'.
- Ask the mail carrier if he or she is holding any mail for your arrival.
After You Are Settled
- Obtain necessary licenses: driver's automobile, pets, etc.
- Contact newspapers, dairy, etc., for home deliveries.
- Register car at new address.
- Register to vote.
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