Now that you’ve sold, or bought, and of course we hope you’ve worked with The Mortgage Guys on your mortgage, it’s time to think about organizing your move. Whether you’re going around the block or around the world, taking just the clothes on your back or a tractor trailer full of possessions, you’ve got to be organized in order to make the transition a smooth one. The Mortgage Guys have gathered our Ten Top Tips for a smooth and stress-free move:
1 — Plan Ahead – doesn’t matter if you’re move date is in a week or six weeks – planning can take the edge off for you and your family. Create a moving notebook and devote a page to each week (or each day) from now until the move and decide what you’ll accomplish, listing the tasks on each page of the book.
2 — Room Sweep – go room to room in your current place and decide what you’re taking and what you’re selling, donating, or throwing away. These decisions will help you decide whether you’ll need a rental truck or a moving company. If you’re planning a yard sale, set aside items to sell as you go through the house.
3 — List Resources – make a list of the phone numbers, websites and addresses of the companies you’ll need to help you move (moving companies, rental companies, shipping companies, storage companies, cleaning companies). List out the phone numbers of utilities, schools and other services in your old and new locations.
4 — Gather the Goods – head to the store to gather up what you’ll need for packing (boxes, plastic bags, bubble wrap or other wrapping material, a thick marker pen, color coding stickers, packing tape). You can be creative with packing materials and save money too. Use household items like sheets, towels, grocery bags, and newspaper to pad boxes.
5 — Friendly Folders – create folders or files for all your moving-related expenses and receipts, family records (such as children’s medical and school records), and account information with national companies (cell phones, satellite TV, insurance company, bank etc).
6 — Spread the Word – start a “change-of-address notification” list. Include everyone you do business with, from service people to health care providers as well as your neighbors and friends. Don’t forget to file a “change of address” form with the U.S. Postal Service.
7 — Prepare the Family – if you’re moving more than 10-15 miles from your current home, take children on a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories or hold a going-away party for them and their friends, and for the adults, maybe hold a pot-luck dinner or barbeque. Make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to watch kids and pets on moving day. This will ease their stress and yours as the truck is loaded.
8 — Go Treasure Hunting – If you’ve hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to dig them up (check the attic and crawl spaces too). Also remember to pick up any dry cleaning, shoe or jewelry repairs, and return library books, movie rentals, etc. Be prepared to carry valuables such as jewelry, collectibles, and medicines with you instead of packing them to go with the movers.
9 — Touch Up – check each room of the home for things you need to repair and or clean. Fix major nail holes, replace burned out light bulbs, clean carpet and floors, and wash down spills in refrigerator. Or, if time is tight, hire a cleaning company to come in and do a quick clean after the movers leave to make sure that everything is clean and ready for the new owners.
10 — Final Sweep – after the truck is loaded with all of your furniture and boxes, do a last check of:
– Water shut off?
– Furnace shut off?
– Light switches turned off?
– All utilities set for disconnection?
– All windows and doors are closed and locked?
– All spare house keys and garage door openers left for the new owners?
– Mailbox empty of your mail?
– Have you left anything at all inside, or out?
Moving is less of a chore when you get organized and check off tasks as you complete them. Once you arrive at your new home, your planning will make the relocation easier, but be sure to start into a routine as soon as you can – this is especially important for kids.
