In this next-to-last post (6 parts PLUS BONUS) in the series of Carlsbad relocation tips for finding your new home in Carlsbad we will talk about preparations for your move.
Thus far you have learned how to find your REALTOR (Part 1), read some tips on finding your community or neighborhood (Part 2), learned about finding your home on-line, and then made 1 or more house hunting trips to actually make the buying decision.
Here are the prior articles in the series:
Part 1 - Finding Your REALTOR: Carlsbad Relocation Tips - Finding Your REALTOR, Finding Your Community and Finding Your New Home in Carlsbad
Part 2 - Finding Your Community: Carlsbad Relocation Tips - Finding Your REALTOR, Finding Your Community and Finding Your New Home in Carlsbad
Part 3 - Finding Your New Home: Carlsbad Relocation Tips - Finding Your REALTOR, Finding Your Community and Finding Your New Home in Carlsbad
Part 4: House Hunting Trip(s): Carlsbad Relocation Tips - Finding Your REALTOR, Finding Your Community and Finding Your New Home in Carlsbad
Part 5: The Transaction from a Distance: Carlsbad Relocation Tips - Finding Your REALTOR, Finding Your Community and Finding Your New Home in Carlsbad
Now that the offer has been accepted and you are working through the transaction from your old home it time to prepare for the move. If you are working with a relocation company and a corporate relocation package, you will need to follow their guidelines for which mover to use, costs that will be reimbursed, and other procedural issues. READ MORE: Do You Know What Your Relocation Company Does?
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ARE YOU SELLING YOUR OLD HOME TOO?
We didn't cover selling your current home in this series, but for many of you that is likely a big part of the relocation as well. If you are reading this and are not yet into that phase, or even if you are, here is a series of articles on getting organized to sell your home. This organizatation will help you when you move, too!
Part 1 - Get Organized: Preparing Your House for Sale - preparing and Space Clearing 101
Part 2 - Get Organized: Preparing Your House for Sale - donate, recycle/trash
Part 3 - Get Organized: Preparing Your Home for Sale - pack to move
PREPARING TO MOVE
You will need to contact 2 or 3 movers to obtain estimates of moving costs so you can make the best selection.
Check on availability dates, services they provide (and for what fees, like packing and unpacking), time it will take for the van to get to you new location, costs for specialty items (you may be shipping a car or perhaps need to move other specialty items).
Some other key questions:
- Will you pack yourself?
- Can the mover supply boxes in advance?
- Will you have the movers unpack? When will this get done?
- Check on insurance coverage, especially for items that you pack - some policies issued by movers do not cover goods PBO (packed by owner)
- Are there additional charges and/or insurance for high-cost items, like antiques, art work and so on (some things, like jewelry, may be better with you).
- Also check on your homeowner's policy - keep that active while moving.
- Are the moving charges by weight, volume or both?
- How will they transport your car - by towing it or will it go in the van?
- Can they provide storage (before and after the actual move)?
Depending on how much stuff you have, perhaps renting a UHaul or other truck can work. Or check out the costs associated with using a container services like PODS which can be more cost effective than hiring a moving company, the downside being you pack yourself.
ARE YOU GOING TO DRIVE OR FLY? Depending on how far you are going, who is going, and how much time you have, you may decide to drive to take in the scenery. Since a truck traveling from the Right Coast to the Left Coast can take a week or more, you may decide that driving is better rather than staying in a hotel in your new city. If so, you will need to make travel plans (hotels, plan your route) and get your car(s) checked over. If you are flying, make your reservations in plenty of time, and keep in mind the pets if they are flying too, since airlines can have some pretty complex restrictions.
Relocating with kids? There are lots of things to consider, including emotional and psychological impact, getting kids set up in new schools, and much more.
Do you have pets to move? There are some things to consider here, too, depending on if you are flying or taking them in your car. You may want to check with your vet either way, and make appropriate plans if you are taking them in the car.
MAKE A MASTER LIST - I cannot emphasize this enough. There is so much to do (trust me, after having done major moves 4 times so far) and you don't want to forget anything.
- I also suggest using a calendar to keep track of key dates, like when the movers arrive, when the truck departs and will arrive, when to turn utilities off in your old home and on in your new, and so much more.
- Keep a file available for all your receipts - you will need this for tax purposes, and perhaps also for your relocation company to obtain reimbursement.
Hopefully all this will get you well on your way to preparing for the big move.
As a bonus, there will be one more part in this Carlsbad Relocation Tips series - The Day of the Move and Moving in Your New Home. Stay tuned.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
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