Whether you’re moving locally or across the country, moving is hard work!
Use our handy guides to make the job easy!
Tips for a Stress-Free Move!
When you know the date you’ll be moving, remember to do the following:
- If you’re leasing your current home, give written notice to the landlord of your intent to move.
- Contact all utility companies (telephone, gas, electric, water/sewer, cable, etc.) and schedule to disconnect at your current address and reconnect at your new home as of the day of closing.
- Contact a moving company (or several) and get cost estimates. Schedule your day to be packed and moved. If you are packing yourself, make sure to have plenty of boxes and packing materials on hand.
- Move on a weekday, if you can when banks, utilities and government offices are open.
- Contact your insurance company for your new homeowner’s insurance policy. They may ask several questions about the structure, etc., to estimate replacement value. Your REALTOR can assist you with some of these questions. Provide the policy to your lender if you are financing your new home.
- If you have school age children, contact the current school, and register the new schools.
- If you are moving out of state, contact all medical doctors, dentists, and other specialists that you or your family use, and ask for a referral physician in your new area.
- Transport with you personally, any charts, x-rays, jewelry, passports, bank statements, checkbooks, or other important documents and items that you will need at your new location, whether they are for your home loan, children’s schools, or any physicians. Arrange for extra refills on any prescriptions.
- Color code your boxes by room, with self-stick colored labels and mark their contents. (e.g. green labels for all kitchen boxes, yellow for Master bedroom, etc) On the day of your move, give the movers a copy of the quick sketch of your floorplan with the color code for each room (make sure to include codes for attic, garage, and storage room)
- Prepare an inventory of your personal property (a home video would be best to accompany this list). This could be invaluable in case of a fire or theft.
- Do not pack your bank statements or pay stubs for the last 6 months. Your new lender may need this information if you are financing your new home. They will provide you at application with a list of documents that will be needed by then, either before or at closing.
- Fill out a change of address form with the Post Office and notify in writing your address change for bank accounts, retirement accounts, securities accounts, magazine subscriptions, licenses, etc.
- Order preprinted address labels with your new address as soon as you can. This will make the change of address process much easier.
- Never make a move without wardrobe boxes! Not only can you move clothes directly from closet to closet but there’s room on the bottom of the box for shoes, throw pillows and linens.
- Keep a utility log to check service transfer dates. If you are moving locally, leave the power on at your old address so that you can go back and clean up after your move or arrange for a cleaning crew to handle this for you.
- Important final tip: Always pack a box or suitcase for each member of the family which contains one or two of the following: toothbrush, toothpaste, change of clothes, plastic cups, paper plates, napkins, utensils, coffee pot, filters and coffee, some beverages, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, medications, extra light bulbs, and a towel and washcloth. If you have a pet, don’t forget their dish and extra food! No matter how organized you are, a move is always tiring. As soon as your movers leave, you will not feel like searching endlessly through boxes for the necessities!
Moving across the country? Reach out and we’ll send you our all-inclusive Moving Guide to help take the stress out your moving day!
