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- Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually two to four weeks ahead of the move.
- Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address.
- Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the move.
- Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one.
- Cancel the newspaper.
- Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
- Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
- Note the weight of the goods you'll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight.
- Check with your condo or co-op about restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits.
- Have a "first open" box with the things you'll need most--toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.
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Plus if you're moving out of town
- Get copies of medical and dental records.
- Get copies of childrens' school records for transfer.
- Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your neighborhood.
- Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
- Let a friend or relative know your route.
- Carry traveler's checks or an ATM card for ready cash until you can open a bank account.
- Empty your safety deposit box.
- Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you're moving to cold weather.
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Six items to have on hand for the new owners
- Owner's manuals for items left in the house.
- Warranties for any items left in the house.
- A list of local service providers - the best dry cleaner, yard service, etc.
- Extra sets of house keys.
- Code to burglar alarm and phone number of monitoring service if not discontinued.
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- Develop a master "to do " list so you won't forget something critical.
- Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to charity, or recycle.
- Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and
how you'd feel if you no longer had it.
- Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.
- Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items, such as family photos, valuable breakables, or
must-haves during a move, should probably stay with you.
- Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.
- Put heavy items in small boxes so they are easier to lift. Keep weight under 50lbs. if possible.
- Don't overpack boxes and increase the chances they will break.
- Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom side of boxes.
- Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other
boxes aside to find what's there.
- Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house
to help movers.
- Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name and van number. Also keep your
address book handy.
- Back up your computer files before moving your computer.
- Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as it arrives.
- Remember, most movers won't take plants.
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A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
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Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area may stay on the market an average of 180 days. It usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.
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Real estate has its own language. If you don't know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it's important to work with someone who speaks the language. REALTORS are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, a trade organization of nearly one million members nationwide. REALTORS subscribe to a stringent code of ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity.
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REALTORS have done it before. Most people buy and sell a home only a few times in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase, and if you've done it before, laws and regulations change. That's why having an expert on your side is critical.
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REALTORS provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest and security, not just four walls and a roof, homeselling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they'll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.
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