Moving Planner
         Erica Willingham

Use these complimentary tips to ease the stress of moving:

5 weeks before:

1. Call movers, get estimates, and choose one to schedule with early (some times of the year are busier than others).
2. Go through each room, choosing items for your yard sale or donation, and make an inventory of the items to be moved.
3. Plan a date for yard sale, or call and schedule your local charity for pick-up (receipts should be filed for tax purposes).
4. Pack all the items you can now, unless you are going to use a moving service that will pack for you.
5. Get estimates of moving expenses, verify which moving expenses your employer will pay for, and plan for the rest in your budget.
6. Call you insurance agent to arrange the necessary insurance changes.
7. Call utility companies to assure the turn-on dates.
8. Cancel or change subscriptions to newspapers or magazines.

3-4 weeks before:

1. Call old utility companies to schedule shut-off of services and to get any refunds of deposits.
2. If necessary, schedule airline/hotel accommodations. Don’t forget to check on policies for traveling with pets (if you have any).
3. If you have borrowed items, return them and try to collect your loaned out items.
4. Collect any important records, such as: medical, dental, prescriptions, shot records, school records, and veterinarian records.

2 weeks before:

1. Have your car serviced if you are moving far or arrange for a car rental.
2. Put all expensive personal items into a safe place, such as a safe deposit box.
3. If you need to store items while transitioning, find a storage company to use.
4. Before packing your computer, make backup copies of your files.
5. Schedule a cleaning service, if you are going to use one, to do the final cleaning.
6. Make sure your home is insured from the first day of move in.
7. Tell your family and friends your new address and phone number.

1 week before:

1. Fill out an address change card at your local post office.
2. Find a babysitter/pet sitter if you need to use one for the moving day.
3. Make sure to pack separately any tools, cleaning supplies, personal luggage, and toiletries/essentials you will need the first day of the move, and mark them “Do Not Move,” so they will not get mixed in with the rest of the boxes.
4. Leave one room organized for the movers to use.
5. Double-check everything on the list and in every room to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

Moving week:

1. Do not leave the house until the movers are gone, even if it takes all day, and stay with the moving van to keep track of your items. Make sure the movers know which items are fragile. Double-check the delivery address and date with the driver. Give them your old and new phone numbers, in case of any problems. It is an especially good idea if you have a cell phone to give them that, too.
2. Walk through whole house and check for forgotten items, from the attic to the basement (if you have one). Open cabinets and look on shelves.
3. Lock all windows and doors. Call your realtor to advise that the house is now vacant.

Sellers Tools and Resources

Mortgage Calculator

Glossary of Terms

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