In my last post, I discussed the things to do to your home to ensure great home showings. In this post, I’m going to help you with all the things that you and your loved ones should keep in mind when planning to move out of your home. With a handy checklist at your side, arranged from earliest to last-minute, you can relax and look forward to moving into your new dream home!
✔ Contact a moving company and give them the dates of your move. Set a date for an agent to visit to survey your belongings. Unless you’re given a binding estimate, the cost can vary, depending on the actual weight of your items and any extra services.
✔ Decide if you’re going to pack or let the movers do it.
✔ Sketch out a floor plan of your new home. This will aid you in deciding which items will move with you.
✔ Round up boxes, containers, and packing supplies. Consider these: markers, labels, newspapers, bubble wrap/peanuts, tape, furniture pads, scissors, utility knife, and dolly.
✔ Clean out all storage areas: closets, basements, attics, cupboards, and shelves. Consider having a garage sale or donating items to charity. Remember to get receipts for taxes.
✔ Take a complete inventory of items to be moved. You might need to update/transfer your homeowner’s insurance. Verify adequate coverage where you’re moving.
✔ Notify home service companies of your move date. These may include: cleaning, lawn, snow removal, pest, security, etc.
✔ Notify subscription companies of your move date and new address. These may include: cable TV, phone, Internet, and newspaper. Pick up change-of-address forms from the Post Office!
✔ Notify electric, gas, and water companies of discontinuation and reactivation dates.
✔ Make travel arrangements for your pets. You may wish to touch base with your veterinarian.
✔ Register children for school and transfer all necessary school records.
✔ Use up fresh, frozen, and canned foods.
✔ Check requirements for driver’s license and auto registration.
✔ Ask your doctors and dentists for referrals in the new location. Transfer medical records and get copies of your prescriptions.
✔ Prepare for the transfer of valuables. Check contents of your safe-deposit box. Do not let the moving company handle valuables such as jewelry, small computers, insurance policies, legal documents, currency, stamp, and coin collections. Instead, carry them with you or send them by insured or certified registered mail or carriers.
✔ Do not ship combustible or flammable items. These include oil-based paints, bleach, lighting fluids, matches, and ammunition. Get rid of all aerosol cans, including hair sprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, and car cleaners.
✔ Have corrective and preventative maintenance performed on your car.
✔ Return library books and any borrowed items.
✔ Record all moving and travel receipts (i.e., gas, lodging, and meals) on a wireless mobile device. Compare with your moving budget. Check with your tax advisor for reimbursement purposes.
✔ Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers and all outdoor equipment. Empty fuel from gas grills and kerosene heaters. Any transported vehicles should have no more than half a tank of gas.
✔ Put linens and pillows in your dresser drawers so as to have handy for making beds.
✔ Place draperies lengthwise on hangers and hang in wardrobe boxes.
✔ Prepare a “last-on/first-off” plastic tote at the end of the moving truck. This might include kitchen and bathroom essentials. You may want to include items such as a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and nails.
✔ Similarly, prepare a “ready box” with necessary medications and first-aid supplies.
✔ Prepare your children by making their favorites accessible, such as toys, games, and snacks.
✔ Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer at least 24 hours before the move.
✔ Keep your cell phone handy throughout loading day.
✔ Someone should be available for the packing crew, which usually arrives the day before the truck is loaded. Point out which items will need to be loaded first (such as out-of-season items and decorative furniture) and which to be loaded last (such as children’s items and china cabinets that will be needed for immediate storage as you unpack).
✔ Pack any valuables you intend to take with you personally.
✔ Label fragile item containers boldly and specify where they’ll go in the new home.
✔ Gather house keys and leave them with your realtor.
✔ Notify relatives/close friends of your itinerary in case of an emergency.
✔ Check your mover’s inventory to ensure accuracy with the mover’s evaluation of the condition of your household goods. Take photos if there’s a dispute.
✔ Load what you are taking on the trip, including luggage.
✔ Search every room before the moving truck leaves. Open cabinets again!
✔ Check the inventory for completeness before signing it.
✔ Retain a copy of the signed inventory for yourself.
✔ Record the truck driver’s name and give them your contact numbers at the destination. Confirm directions to the new residence.
And before you know it, you’ll be unpacking in your new dream home!
If you’re considering putting your home up for sale in the Albuquerque area, feel free to give me a call today at 505-553-3408!
About Steven Radolinski
