|
|
|
After listing your home, you need to start to prepare for when the sale could happen. There is a lot to do towards the end, so you don’t want to wait until you have a contract in hand before you start planning for the move! Start these items while listed |
 |
|
 |
-
Create a "move file" to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.
-
Assemble a folder of important information about the house for the new owner of your home.
-
Check with the IRS for possible tax deductions – including moving expenses.Budget for moving expenses and start collecting estimates
-
.Start compiling medical and dental records - including prescriptions and shot records. Ask your doctors if they can refer you to a care provider in your new city.
-
Get copies of any legal and financial records you need.
-
Arrange for veterinarian records to be transferred.
-
Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies for changing states. Ask if moving is covered and arrange for insurance for your new home.
-
Contact health clubs or other organizations you have joined. Ask how to move, sell, or end your membership.
-
Make a list of things that are valuable or difficult to replace. Plan on shipping these by certified mail or carrying them with you.
-
Make a list of friends, relatives and businesses to notify of your move.
-
Work your way through each room taking inventory and deciding what to donate or throw away. Start planning a yard sale or contact your local charities.
-
Begin using things that can't be moved, such as frozen foods, bleach and aerosol cleaners.
-
Begin collecting boxes and other packing supplies.
-
Begin packing items you don't use often. Also start separating and disposing of the items you've designated for a yard sale, donation or the junk yard. If you donate, be sure to get a receipt for income tax purposes.
-
Start pinpointing a "move date".
-
Plan ahead for parking of a Moving Vehicle.  If you’re moving with a trailer, keep in mind that a 28 foot commercial trailer, will require a 14 foot overhead clearance and in most cases will need to be left overnight. You should contact your property manager or local authorities to ensure you will be complying with any parking restrictions.
-
Plan for short-term or long-term storage at destination if needed.
|
 |
|
Moving Tips - After getting an accepted contract on your new home: |
 |
|
 |
-
Start researching your new community. The Internet is a great resource for finding online community guides and newspapers.
-
Contact the Chamber of Commerce to request their new resident packet.
-
Draw out a floor plan of your new home and start deciding which function each room will serve. Begin planning how to move into your new home.
-
Arrange to have school records transferred to your children's new school district and/or daycare.
-
Subscribe to the newspaper in your new hometown to start learning about events and the local culture.
|
 |
|
Moving Tips - 4 Weeks Before |
 |
|
 |
-
Reserve your moving truck.
-
Make travel arrangements for your pets. Don’t forget to include necessary medical and immunization records.
-
Advertise and host your garage sale.
-
Call your newspaper courier and set a date to cancel your subscription.
|
 |
|
Moving Tips - 3 Weeks Before |
 |
|
 |
-
Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up. Also retrieve any items out on loan.
-
Decide if you will keep your plants or give them away.
-
Dispose of flammables, corrosives and poisons.
|
 |
|
Moving Tips - 2 Weeks Before |
 |
|
 |
-
If leaving the area, contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts. Clear out safety deposit boxes.
-
If leaving the area, confirm travel arrangements for pets and family.
-
Notify any creditors of your move.
-
Plan meals for the last week of the move to help empty the refrigerator and avoid using appliances that will be packed for the move.
-
Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your old home, and connection of them at your new one. Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. If you have "last month" deposits with services, such as the water or gas company, request your refund.
-
File a change of address with the Postal Service. If you are unsure of your new address, ask the postal service to hold your mail at their office in your new city.
-
Set Cancellation date for TV/Cable/ Internet Service
-
Set up for installing of TV/Cable/Internet Service at your new home
-
Cancel Trash Service for the week after you move out.
-
Order Trash Service prior to moving into new home
|
 |
|
Moving Tips - 1 Week Before |
 |
|
 |
-
Confirm your moving date with moving company/truck.
-
Notify friends and family of your new address
-
Finish packing and prepare an “essentials box” of those items you will need to find immediately.
-
Designate boxes that need to be unpacked first as “Last Load” so you can get to them right away.
-
Leave a note with your new address in the house so that future residents can forward any stray mail.
-
Keep a friend or family member informed of your plans and "whereabouts" in case of an emergency or unforeseen event.
-
Consider drawing out your new floor plan and decide where you want furniture and appliances placed.
-
Clean bathrooms and kitchen in final days prior to moving out.
|
 |
|
Moving –Out Checklist |
 |
|
 |
-
Sweep and vacumn home prior to leaving
-
Leave garage door opener and extra keys on counter
-
Leave packet of “home information” for new owner
-
Turn heat and air to the cost saving setting – if buyer is not coming in right away
-
Remove all debris
|
 |
|
Moving-In Checklist |
 |
|
 |
-
Make sure your utilities are on – gas, heat, water , phones
-
Check appliances and systems to ensure all are working properly, and arrange for repairs if necessary.
-
Verify that your mail is being delivered to your new address and pick up any mail being held.
-
Plan for meals
|
 |
|
After-the-Move Checklist |
 |
|
 |
-
Keep all receipts and documentation in your move file and store the file in a safe place. You'll be glad to have everything in one place at tax time.
-
Get a new driver's license and new tags for your automobile if you moved out of state.
-
Register to vote.
-
Recycle your moving boxes if still in good condition – place for sale on Craigslist!
|
 |
