Moving

Start Early

Starting early in the process will lead to a smooth transition and preparing to move is a great time to go through your possessions and dispose of things. The biggest question is deciding if you’re going to pack yourself or hire professionals.

If you’re packing yourself, the following is a list of things you will need:

• Boxes of all sizes
• Newspaper / tissue paper
• Permanent marker
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic wrap
• Packing tape

Packing guidelines:

• Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first that will have fragile items in them
• Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
• Pack room by room – it will make unpacking easier
• Begin your packing early in the moving as it will take longer than you think
• Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
• Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
• Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newspaper, bubble wrap, etc.
• Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
• Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers as it can cause damage, so instead use rope, elastic, etc.
• On moving day, fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days’ worth of clothing, food and other essentials.

 

Hiring Movers?

Visit http://www.moving.com/ Use Moving.com to compare quotes from hundreds of movers on local or long distance moves at no cost. This website is committed to providing the highest quality moving company listings, from only licensed and insured movers, to help you reduce the time, cost, and stress.

 

Garage Sales

Many use moving an opportunity to dispose of many items no-longer-wanted items and you can even pocket some money while doing so. Here is some advice for holding a garage sale:

• Plan – Allow plenty of time and choose a date that will not conflict with holidays or other events. More people are likely to show up on weekends. Your sale is likely to attract more customers if you join together with neighbors in a larger effort with more merchandise.
• What to Sell – Household goods, bicycles, children’s toys and clothes, sports equipment and garden tools are popular. Adult clothing has less appeal and should be priced accordingly. All items should be clean, polished and in good repair.
• Displaying Items for Sale – Merchandise your items attractively in neat and clean surroundings. Cluster things in categories. Place more desirable items toward the back so browsers can notice other merchandise on their way to the most popular items. Have a 25-cent miscellaneous table for young shoppers. Clothes should be sized accurately and hung on a temporary rack.
• Logistics – Locate your appliance table near an outlet so customers may try before they buy. Set aside adequate parking and a place to load large items. Have plenty of bags and boxes on hand for packing and newspapers for wrapping glass items.
• Promoting – Place a classified ad in the local papers – include three or four of the more tantalizing items for sale, directions and other pertinent details. Provide directional signs to your property. If your house is listed for sale, have your Realtor hold an open house on the same day to increase traffic for both the house and the sale.
• Price as Deals – Visit other sales to get an idea on how to price things. Remember that garage sale shoppers are looking for deals, so be prepared to bargain and lower your prices. Really valuable items such as antiques should not be sold at a garage sale because they are not likely to bring the desired price from bargain hunters. Nothing is too worthless to be valuable, so have a giveaway box for old magazines and other assorted odds and ends
• Take Cash as Payment – Post a notice that all sales are final and payment must be cash. Keep ample change in a cash box in a protected spot.

 

Moving Checklist

60 days prior

• Remove unnecessary items from your attic, storage shed, etc.
• Use things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies
• Start a possessions inventory
• Solicit estimates from three moving companies – moving.com
• Call your insurance agent to find out how your policy will cover your move
• Start a folder to begin collecting all moving papers and receipts
• Prepare a list of things to transfer – school records, medical records, car registrations, driver’s license, change of address, utilities, etc.

45 days prior

• Contact the IRS or your CPA for tax-deductible information
• Evaluate your possessions – Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?
• Notify people of your move – friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
• Find healthcare professionals and hospitals at your new location
• Clean your closet
• Hold a moving or garage sale or donate items to charities
• Choose a mover or decide to move yourself
• Contact your mover to ask about insurance

30 days prior

• Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed
• Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation
• Contact gas, electric, water, telephone, cable, and trash collection companies for service disconnection and connection at your old and new addresses.
• Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance, security deposit with landlord and prepaid cable service
• Notify your gardener, pool service, etc.
• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home

15 days prior

• Make travel plans
• Arrange for childcare on moving day
• Arrange for special transport for your pets and plants
• Service your car for the trip
• Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move

After Closing

• Complete change of address via the post office and online services for the following:
  • Banks
  • Charge cards
  • Religious organizations
  • Doctor/dentist
  • Relatives and friends
  • Income tax bureau/Social Security Administration
  • Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/stockbroker
  • Magazines
  • Post office
  • Schools
  • Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of your new address
• Set up Utilities

Moving Day

• Carry enough cash to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in new city if needed outside of a debit and credit card
• Carry jewelry and important documents yourself, or use registered mail
• Plan for transporting of pets
• Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty
• Leave old keys, garage door openers and instruction manuals needed by new owner or tenant

At Your New Home

• Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
• Check pilot light on stove, water heater and furnace
• Ask mail delivery person for mail they may be holding for your arrival
• Have new address recorded on driver’s license and car registration
• Register children in school