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Moving Tips and
Timeline |
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Use These
Moving Tips for
a Trouble-Free
Move to Your New
Home
Your moving
timeline might
differ if you
are selling a
house and have
accepted a quick
closing date.
Push everything
forward as
necessary to
accomplish your
move as quickly
and easily as
possible.
As Soon as
Your House Goes
on the Market
-
Purchase
packing
supplies,
such as
tape, boxes
and wrapping
papers or
plastics.
Buy stickers
or red
markers to
flag fragile
packages.
-
Start
keeping
track of all
moving
expenses,
because some
might be tax
deductible.
-
Clean and
organize all
closets.
-
Clean and
de-clutter
every room
in the
house,
including
the garage
and
basement.
-
Pack unused
items that
you plan to
keep. Label
each box's
contents and
store the
boxes in a
safe but out
of the way
location
where they
won't
interfere
with
showings.
-
Donate
unneeded
items to
charity or
have a
garage sale
to get rid
of them.
As Soon as
You Know a
Moving Date
-
If you're
hiring
movers, get
price
estimates
and a list
of services.
Place your
order when
you know you
have a firm
move date.
-
If you're
moving
yourself,
check moving
truck prices
and reserve
a truck.
4-6 Weeks
Before Moving
-
Keep packing
if you're
doing the
work
yourself. If
movers will
pack you ask
the moving
company for
advice on
the best
ways to
prepare.
-
Contact
people who
work for you
on a regular
basis, such
as pool
maintenance
companies
and
gardeners,
to cancel
their
services.
Leave their
business
cards for
new owners.
-
Place
reference
manuals for
major
appliances
in a kitchen
cabinet or
drawer where
new owners
will find
them. Label
extra keys
and place in
the drawer.
2 Weeks
Before Moving
-
Call utility
companies
and arrange
for meter
readings on
the day of
closing so
that all
services
after that
date are the
responsibility
of the new
owner. The
new owner
should also
notify
utilities of
the
switchover
and set up
new
accounts.
-
Have
utilities
disconnected
at closing
if the new
owner does
not
establish
accounts.
-
Stop auto
delivery of
propane gas
or fuel
unless it is
really
needed.
-
Arrange to
discontinue
your
telephone
service on
the day of
closing.
Give your
cell phone
number or
another
contact
number to
everyone
associated
with the
move and
real estate
closing,
just in case
they need to
reach you
after the
home phone
has been
disconnected.
-
Arrange to
disconnect
your
satellite or
cable TV
coverage.
-
Now do just
the opposite
to begin
establishing
services at
your new
home.
-
File a
change of
address
notice at
the post
office,
making it
effective on
your moving
date or a
few days
before.
-
Notify your
creditors,
magazine
subscriptions,
friends and
family,
doctors,
dentists and
others of
your new
address.
-
Schedule a
cancellation
date or new
address for
newspaper
deliveries.
-
If you're
moving out
of the area,
start
picking up
items out
for cleaning
or repair.
Return
library
books and
rented DVDs
and videos.
Arrange to
have your
prescriptions
transferred
to a
pharmacy
near your
new home.
-
Start an
essentials
box or
two--all the
things
you'll need
immediately
after you
unload at
your new
location,
such as
toiletries,
a broom,
towels,
sheets,
blankets, a
change of
clothes and
nightwear.
-
Find
certificates
verifying
that your
pets are
up-to-date
on required
vaccinations.
Gather other
important
documents
and plan to
carry them
with you on
the day of
moving.
-
Open a bank
account at
your new
location,
or, if
you're
staying in
the area,
order checks
with your
new address.
1 Week Before
Moving
-
Confirm that
your closing
is still on
track and
handle tasks
required by
your closing
agent.
-
Confirm
moving and
delivery
dates with
movers or
check your
truck
reservation.
-
Clean each
room
thoroughly
as you
finish
packing.
Don't forget
major
appliances.
Wait to pack
your vacuum
and other
tools
necessary
for
last-minute
cleaning on
moving day.
-
Arrange to
cancel
existing
homeowner's
insurance
coverage
after the
closing is
complete and
you no
longer own
the
property. If
there's a
delay, call
your
insurance
agent
immediately.
-
Arrange for
someone to
read the
level of
propane gas
or fuel oil
in tanks
that remain
on the
property if
your sales
contract
requires the
new owners
to pay you
market price
for the
fuel.
On Moving Day
-
Walk through
every part
of the house
to find
stray items,
opening
cabinet and
closet
doors.
-
Make sure
you have
keys to your
new home.
-
Supervise
movers as
they load,
then again
at delivery
to make sure
boxes and
other items
go to the
right rooms
at your new
home.
-
Watch for
damaged
items or
damaged
boxes. Note
all damage
on the
mover's bill
of lading
and ask the
supervising
person to
sign off on
the
notation.
-
Unpack your
essentials
box--then
try to relax
for awhile
before you
start the
big
unpacking
job.
If you've
ever moved
you know
there's more
to it than
this!
Transporting
pets, plants
and people
in a
comfortable
way should
top your
list, and
nearly
everything
you cancel
at your old
home must be
started
again at the
new
location.
-
Generic tips
are a good
guide, but
start your
own
personalized
list of
moving musts
on the day
you decide
to move.
More Moving
Advice
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