Awesome! We have your home Under Contract, and moving day is just around the corner! SHREEK!!!!! You need a Moving Check List to get it all in order!
What do I do with all this stuff? How are we going to move it all? Change of address cards? ALL of these things come into play, and quite frankly, it can be a bit overwhelming! I’ve moved some 17 times in my life, and 5 of those were corporate relocations, and the rest were “do-it-yourself” moves, be they between apartments or even cities. And while I have not moved in many years, I can still remember the stress like it happened yesterday.
Your Moving Check List
It’s a big deal selling your home, and it’s no small matter to prepare to move. At Palmer House Properties and MyMidtownMojo, we know that moving takes time and energy, but there are ways to make it go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips as you anticipate and prepare for your move. Keep in mind, if you are doing a corporate relocation, the actual packing may not be a worry as the moving company will do that for you! I know what that is like…and it’s sweet!
30 to 15 Days Before Moving
- Sell or give anything away you won’t move. Maybe plan a garage sale, or donate items to charity.
- Call several movers for estimates.
- Consider insurance on movables.
- Gather and store dental, medical and pet’s veterinary records.
- Start alerting friends and companies that mail to you.
- Contact children’s school and have transcripts forwarded to new school.
- Go online and complete a change of address with the USPS.
- For tax purposes (if you qualify for moving deductions), keep a record of all moving expenses and keep receipts of any items you donate to charity.
- Arrange for disconnection of utilities and re-connection at new location.
14 Days Before Moving
- Pack one room at a time and label all boxes as to what’s in them and the room in your new house they should go to. Label furniture as to the room it should go to. (Unless you are doing a corporate move or have hired a moving company. And if you are paying movers, you may have to pack, and they just load and unload, so this timetable could be changed!)
- Make sure you return items you’ve borrowed from library and friends.
- Resign memberships to clubs.
- Arrange the cancellation of newspaper and other home deliveries.
- Ask bank to release safe deposit box and transfer account to new bank.
- Arrange for cash, traveler’s checks, or certified checks. (Movers usually require cash or certified check.)
- Drain gas from your lawn mower, and properly dispose of flammable items and other materials that should not be put in the trash.
- Arrange to have your phone disconnected.
- Transfer your homeowners insurance so you will be covered at your new home.
Day Before Moving
- Pack a suitcase you can live out of, if necessary, for the first few days at your new home.
- Empty and defrost refrigerator and freezer and let them air dry for a day. Deodorize large appliances with baking soda or coffee.
- Remember to leave the keys (and remote controls, such as for the garage) to your old property with your real estate agent.
- Label your most important boxes, so you know what to open first.
Moving Day
- Make sure mover is properly informed of your new address.
- Make sure you have payment ready before van is unloaded at new address.
- Confirm arrival date and time.
- Before you leave, check every room, closets and the attic a final time.
- Check locks on doors and windows.
Hopefully this list will help you get through all the details and stress of moving! Please know, we are here to help you with any of the “moving parts” (no pun intended!) and get you to your new home, or out of the home we helped sell for you!