Four Steps To Moving Your Household

Moving is a major undertaking for anyone, especially if children and pets are involved. This RE/MAX Moving Handbook illustrates how a bit of preparation in four easy steps can help simplify your move and relieve some of the stress.

Getting Ready

Organizing the Move

The Little Details

Moving Day

Getting Ready

We suggest that you first attend to the details that most people leave till last when moving. Accomplishing the small matters will help emotionally prepare you for the planning and physical work ahead.

• Once the moving date is set, begin by arranging to close bank accounts and/or have them transferred to your new address. Notify any direct deposit or withdrawal sources of the change so you will not miss income or payment periods. By tending to your finances early in your move, your statements will be sent directly to your new home rather than going through the mail forwarding process.

• Visit schools and request that your children’s records and transcriptions are forwarded to new schools in time for their first day of attendance.

• Call your doctor(s) and dentist(s) and ask for referral physicians in the area of your new home.

• Send "Just Moved" notes to your friends and family members; be sure to note your actual moving date.

• Gather important personal documents such as wills, stocks, bonds, birth certificates, etc., in one place, such as an unused suitcase or briefcase, for personal transport by you.

• Arrange for temporary accommodations if there will be a short waiting period between leaving your old home and moving into your new one.

• Coordinate your moving date with your employer(s) if necessary.

• And, finally, decide whether you're going to employ a professional moving company or move yourself.

Organizing Your Move

• Start by cleaning out closets, storage areas, children’s toy chests, garden and hobby paraphernalia, and the garage.

• If you have enough clothing, furniture, and odds and ends, hold a garage sale… you'll earn a little extra money to invest in the move.

• Obtain packing boxes, packing materials, and plastic wrap for your furniture from the moving company you've selected, or purchase them from a truck rental company.

• Begin packing. Carefully wrap and pack your most fragile items first and store them for moving day. Next, pack your least essential items such as extra linens, garden tools, workshop equipment, bake ware, pots and pans, etc. Be sure to indicate the contents on each box.

• Begin using all perishable food and condiments, especially if your move is to a distant location.

The Little Details

• Call utility, cable service, water and paper delivery services with a closing date and final billing address. Establish a turn-on date for the same services in your new home if possible at this time. Call Donna Barclay to obtain phone numbers of various companies.

• Visit the Post Office and secure a Moving Kit. In it you'll find post cards to send to all publications, credit card companies, and other entities from which you receive regular mailings and bills. Complete and mail the post cards.

• If you will be driving to your new home, have your vehicles checked out thoroughly, especially fan belt, brakes and tire.

• If you don't plan to drive to your new home, now is the time to make travel reservations and obtain your tickets.

• If you are leaving the area, arrange new homes for your houseplants since they do not travel well. They may not cross-state lines and professional movers will not carry them inside a van.

• If your pets are moving with you, visit your veterinarian for a final check-up and traveling tips.

• Pay current bills including those that will become due during the days of your move.

Moving Day

• Fill a cooler with drinks and snacks for the day.

• Empty and clean the refrigerator.

• Do a final walk-through after all boxes and furniture have been moved to ensure that cabinets, closets and drawers have been emptied.

• Leave you forwarding address for the new owners so they can send your any mail received at your old address.

• Place the garage door opener, sprinkler key, manufacturer’s guides for appliances, heating and air conditioning, pool and spa equipment, etc., on the kitchen sink where the new residents will easily locate them. *Make sure that your Realtor has an extra house key.