PLANNING YOUR RELOCATION
OR MOVE
You have to live somewhere when you move. We can help you locate the best
home or apartment, or even commercial building. Or, we can help you SELL your
existing home or business! Not moving in the same region? Not a problem! Just
fill out our Relocation Form and we'll get you connected up with the best
Realtor in your new area!
Start becoming familiar with your new community. Fill
out our Relocation Form and we'll get much of the
information you need right to you! You can also contact the
Chamber of Commerce or Visitor's Bureau to request
information on schools, parks and recreation, community
calendars and maps.
Will you need to use a mover? Ask friends, relatives,
and business associates about moving companies they have
used and liked - it's one of the best ways to find a good
moving company. Caution, though - if you have never heard of
a particular moving company and if you have no references
from friends or business associates, be very careful - don't
just grab a super-low price from an "unknown" firm. There
are plenty of quality "name" movers to choose from - cheaper
than the cost of loss if you choose a bad mover!
Save on Taxes! Ask the Internal Revenue Service for
information about tax deductions on moving expenses and what
receipts you'll need to keep.
If
you have a family or home-based business, be sure to check
out the local tax websites and save thousands in taxes!
Contact your insurance agent to arrange the transfer of
your property, fire, auto and medical insurance.
Contact your new community or state to find out
about vehicle or other licensing and insurance requirements. Be sure to
check about pet licenses, vehicle inspection requirements and similar
regulations.
Contact a travel agency and save money by making any necessary hotel,
temporary accommodations or airline reservations early.
Thousands of people leave town without clearing their
safety deposit boxes. Don't be one of them. Call your bank
to find out how to transfer your bank accounts, as well.
Wills, stock certificates and other one-of-a-kind items
(jewelry, photos, home videos) are difficult or impossible
to replace. Plan to carry them with you instead of packing
them.
Sit down and start organizing your move. Take an
objective look at what you own, and decide what must go and
what can be left behind. Make a list separating items to
leave behind, items you need help moving, and items you'll
need to replace in the new home.
The Last Couple of Weeks
Clean out everything and just get rid of anything you
aren't bringing with you. For each item you aren't going to
take with you, decide whether you'll sell it, give it away
to charity, or otherwise dispose of it before your move.
Put together a room-by-room list of everything you're
bringing to your new home. Consider reviewing your new
home's floor plan so you can where your existing furniture,
appliances and decorative items will fit. Your
"get-rid-of-list" might grow, too!
Assemble Make sure you have a list of replacement costs for all
belongings, in case there is moving damage.
Contact your children's school and arrange to transfer
their school records.
If you're changing communities, obtain copies of your
family's medical and dental records.
Transfer all current prescriptions to a drugstore in
your new town. When organizing dental and medical records, be sure to
include prescriptions, eyeglass specifications and vaccination records.
Got pets? Don't forget to get copies of veterinary
records.
Return library books or any other borrowed items.
Collect up all DSL equipment, Cable Boxes, garbage bins,
etc., and arrange to return them if needed!
Collect all the items you may have loaned out.
Contact any clubs or associations you are affiliated
with for information on transferring, selling or ending your
memberships.
Plan meals that will use up the food in your freezer.
Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by
car.
Click here to fill
out a change of address form . Inform everyone of your new address.
Let
Uncle Sam - IRS - know where you're going... click to go to an IRS
change of address form .
Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric and other
utilities. Since you will want to have your utilities
(electric, gas, phone, etc.) still connected on moving day,
arrange to have them disconnected from your present home
after your scheduled move-out.
Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new
place. Call ahead to have utilities connected at your new
home the day before or the day of your scheduled move-in.
Figure out what you're bringing with you in the car or
plane. Prepare a "Trip Kit" for moving day. This kit should
also contain the things you'll need while your belongings
are in transit.
Last minute - everything is almost ready...
Start collecting suitable containers and packing
materials if you plan to do the packing yourself. There are
box stores in your local area, or online, and you can obtain
all your packing materials for a reasonable price, then
resell it when you unpack!
Get rid of all flammables. Dispose of household
chemicals like old paint - there will be places you can go
to do this safely. Drain all the oil and gasoline from your
lawn mower and power tools to ensure safe transportation.
Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.
The days before...
Make final packing preparations. Get busy packing, using
the priority of items less-used first. Pack suitcases with
the clothes and toiletries you'll need. Pack any special
boxes with the other essentials you'll need for the first
few days.
Take down curtains and curtain rods. Empty, defrost and
clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours
to air dry. Clean and air your stove.
Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe
place.
If you're using a moving company, make sure you're at
home when the movers arrive, so you can sign an inventory -
be sure to walk around with the crew chief while he/she does
the inventory. Keep your signed bill of lading and inventory
in an easily accessible place. Check with the driver to
ensure he/she has the correct delivery address and phone
number. Confirm the expected delivery time at your new
location with the driver.
Before you leave, do a final walkthrough of every room.
