You Are Moving!!

          You Are Moving!!

There is a lot to remember in this transition. Here is a basic guideline to help you. Depending on your situation, you may need to add other to do’s, however this is a good start to your priority list in your move. The more organized you are, the better.

6 Weeks before:

• ·       You’ve either gone into contract with selling, buying, or renting.
• ·       Now is the time to organize your self.  Purchase or gather boxes. Start weeding out what you will be keeping vs. what you will be getting rid of.
• ·       When filling boxes, do it by room, by category and mark your boxes so you know what contents are in them.
• ·       Call moving companies for estimates. If you are moving locally, also consider either renting a POD or U Haul.
• ·       If possible take pictures of your new home, measure the dimensions of the rooms, and windows so you can plan where your furniture will go and if you will need to purchase window coverings etc.
• ·       Start a file of any moving related receipts/paperwork
• ·       Research the local schools, medical professionals in your new location and arrange to transfer your records if necessary.

4 Weeks before:

• ·       Secure off-site storage if needed
• ·       Decide your mover or options of renting a POD or U Haul.
• ·       Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent about coverage of your new home and cancellation of your old one.

3 Weeks before:

• ·       Notify the following of your change of address: Post office, banks, credit card companies, insurance agent, lawyer, any subscriptions as well as your family and friends.
• ·       Contact your real estate agent and arrange with them to have any services transferred such as electric, phone, water, gas, cable for your old house as well as your new one.
• ·       If you are selling your home, gather a list of various vendors that has serviced your home such as landscaper, pool cleaner to pass on to the new owner. Also notify them of discontinuing their services for that address and possibly notifying them of your new address if you will be continuing services with them at your new home.
• ·       Start using paper plates, perishables etc. so you can start packing the daily essentials in your kitchen and bathrooms.
• ·       Make your travel plans if applicable.
• ·       Arrange and line up your cleaners, landscapers etc. for one last time at the property.

2 Weeks before:

• ·       If you are moving into a condo or townhome, contact the resident manager to notify them that you are moving in. You will need to register your cars, and find out any rules with the usage of the elevator if necessary.
• ·       Make arrangements of transferring any existing bank accounts to your new area.
• ·       Arrange for child/pet care when transitioning into your new home.
• ·       Figure out a timeline of your moving and if you will need more time than one day to make the transition.
• ·       Whether you are selling your home or renting, you will need to make sure that the property is cleaned once you have vacated.
• ·       Firm up your moving plans and set dates for your transition.
• ·       You may want to consider arranging a few days off from work to make your transition a smooth one.
• ·       If you are selling your home, the conditional loan approval should be delivered about this time to confirm that the buyers are on target with their timeline.

1 Week before on up to D day:

• ·       Start your cleaning for moving out. Include landscaping, pool cleaning, windows, all surfaces of the house.
• ·       If you are selling your home, the final loan approval should be delivered about this time.
• ·       If you are selling your home or buying a new home, this is when you will be signing your closing documents with escrow and transferring funds.
• ·       Complete boxing all your belongings, and make sure that your important documents, medications, and daily personal items are packed separately.
• ·       Before leaving your property, do a walk through to make sure that all your belongings are packed up.
• ·       Make sure that you deliver all the keys to the old house, also gather any existing warranties, list of vendors of the property to pass on to the buyer or next tenant.