MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’

Moving day – you’ve either been dreaming of it or dreading it! For the estimated 43 million people who will move this year, moving day will be the most detail-driven experience of their lives. Having good information and a simple plan can determine whether your moving day will be an easy transition into your new residence – or chaos. First, don’t panic. Each step of the moving process is comprised of various elements which can be ordered according to your time frame and mastered so that your move is safe, easy, cost effective and even fun.

THE PLAN

Before packing, stacking or sorting anything, establish a moving date. Most new homeowners have 60 days between signing the purchase contract and closing. Here is a suggested 8 week time line showing what you can accomplish when you follow a plan.

8 WEEKS UNTIL MOVING DAY

• Decide upon a moving date
• Purchase a notebook or file folders and record every phone number, company, and person to whom you speak regarding your moving details
• Contact moving companies for estimates and schedule your move
• Ask your tax consultant which of your moving expenses are tax deductible and create a “moving expenses” file. Keep ALL receipts.
• Visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and download the IRS Change of Address Form Number 8822 or call (800) 829-1040 to request the form. You can also download Form 3903 where you can list deductible expenses.
• Make all travel arrangements (flights, hotel, car or truck rental, etc.) now

7 WEEKS UNTIL MOVING DAY

• Transfer insurance: property, fire, auto, life and medical
• Secure your important documents in a central file:
  • Medical and dental records, prescription and vaccination records
  • Veterinary records
  • Wills
  • Stock Certificates
  • “One-of-a-kind” and meaningful papers which cannot be replaced
• If you have kids, contact the new school and clarify the process for registration
• Notify the old school of the move and request the transfer of school records

6 WEEKS UNTIL MOVING DAY

• Clear out your storage spaces – attic, basement, garage, sheds
• Choose between which items you want to transport to your new home and which items will be donated, sold, or disposed of as refuse. Be ruthless. Items donated to a charitable organization are tax deductible!
• Schedule your moving sale
• If you plan to move yourself, start collecting strong moving boxes or purchase boxes specially designed by the moving industry to protect your possessions
• Learn about your new community. Contact the neighborhood Chamber of Commerce, community colleges, libraries, park districts and recreational facilities

5 WEEKS UNTIL MOVING DAY

• Obtain a change of address form from your local U.S. Post Office or download the form from their website at www.usps.com. Provide the form to:
  1. Credit Card companies
  2. Insurance companies
  3. Doctors, dentists and other health professionals
  4. Banks
  5. Magazines and newspapers you subscribe to
  6. Churches, clubs and associations
  7. Friends and family
• Advise your current utility providers (electric and gas companies, telephone and cable providers, trash collector) of your moving date and agree on disconnection or connection dates
• Close and/or open bank accounts, transfer funds, and clear safety deposit boxes
• Check the requirements for new drivers’ licenses and auto registration if you are leaving your current state or the change of address requirements for your existing license if you are remaining in your current state

4 WEEKS UNTIL MOVING DAY

• One more time, decide what items are moving with you and dispose of the rest.
• Make a list of the “movable” items according to those items you will move yourself and those items to be moved by your mover
• Determine who will actually do most of the packing. Moving agents know what to do and how to do it to best protect your belongings
• Do ask for help in packing your delicate family heirlooms and breakables
• Don’t forget to allow your children to be involved in the moving process in ways that empower them:
• Let them pack some of their own clothes and toys
• Give them paint samples from the hardware store and let them “design” their new rooms
• By this time, if you have not “recycled” old magazines, help the kids create a collage using magazine pictures of what they envision their new room to be like
• Label every container you pack on the sides and top with a description of the contents and room location in your new home, and with special instructions such as “Fragile,” “Do Not Load,” or “Load Last”

3 WEEKS UNTIL THE MOVE

• Keep on packing and labeling!
• Contact your moving agent and review for accuracy your agreement regarding who is packing what, moving date, pricing, insurance and liability, time frame, method of payment, etc. (this one is for your sanity)
• Arrange for children or pet care on packing days and the day of the actual move
• Reserve parking spaces or elevator time at your old and new buildings, if applicable

2 WEEKS UNTIL THE MOVE

• Still packing?
• Make final decisions regarding every possession you are doubtful about moving.
• Now that your clutter is gone or packed away, give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom as a gracious gesture to the next resident who will call it “home.” Also, make minor repairs.
• Dispose of hazardous cleaning or chemical products in a safe way. These should not be moved. Don’t forget the lawn mower, snow blower, and power tools which may need to be drained of oil and gas before they can be transported
• Schedule a pizza night to celebrate all you have accomplished so far!

1 WEEK UNTIIL THE MOVE (The Nitty Gritty Week)

• Clean all appliances which are remaining with the residence: empty, defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer, scour the stove surface, oven and microwave
• Leave bathroom fixtures impeccably spotless
• Create a “first night survival kit.” Include snacks, bottled water, can opener, paper plates, disposable cups, disposable cutlery, games, clothing, toiletries, paper towels, toilet paper, tissue, candles, matches and flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, hammer, scissors, light bulbs, pet food, extra clothing, travel alarm, plastic garbage bags, etc., so you can function after a long day
• Consolidate gadgets which are to stay with the new owner or real estate agent such as keys, garage door openers, security alarm codes
• Provide your in-transit contact information and the address and phone number of your new residence to your family and realtor
• Thank the local merchants who have served you well by returning library books, DVD’s and videos, picking up dry cleaning, and paying in full any open accounts
• Give each family member a job to do on moving day

MOVING DAY!

• Eat breakfast!
• Know that everyone has been called, everything has been labeled, and everything will fall into place – as a result of your hard work
• Do a final walk through of your “old” home and say your good bye’s…
• You or your “designated representative” must be available to make decisions and sign documents for the moving agent. Review all documentation when the movers arrive and be present when the agent inspects and labels your furniture. Make sure the inventory is accurate and you agree with all written entries regarding the condition of your furniture. You may want to photograph your furniture to document its condition prior to being loaded on the van. Be sure to get the identification number for your move from the van agent.
• Provide driving instructions to the moving van driver as well as in-transit contact information and a floor plan of the new residence to facilitate the safe delivery of your items.
• When the moving truck arrives, you will be responsible to note any damage to your furniture that occurred during transit. Once you sign the inventory sheet you accept the condition of your items. Make sure any damage is documented on the inventory sheet as well as missing items. Report damage immediately to the destination agent.

While this Plan is not exhaustive, the strategy is sound, systematic, and touches every area of organization important to a successful move. Congratulations on a job well done!

Best wishes from Camelot Realty of America, Inc. for much happiness in your new home!

WHAT MOVERS WILL NOT SHIP

Here is a list of some common household items movers will not accept:

Acid, Chemistry sets, Lamp Oil, Paint Thinner, Aerosol cans, Cleaning fluids, Liquid Bleach, Pesticides, Ammonia, Cooking fuel, Loaded weapons, Plants, Ammunition, Fertilizer, Matches, Poisons, Batteries , Fireworks, Motor oil, Pool chemicals, Car Batteries, Frozen foods, Nail polish remover, Produce, Charcoal, Gasoline, Open foods, Propane tanks, Charcoal lighter fluid, Kerosene, Paints, Weed killer