Real Estate Pepperell MA and Surrounding Communities: January 2010

Below is Part 2 of "Helpful Moving Tips".  If you would like to offer a suggestion or addition to the list, I'd love to hear from you!  

Three Weeks Before Moving

• Pets - Gather all pet medical records and keep them in a safe, easily accessible location. Check with the vet to see if your pet might need vaccinations or a health certificate prior to your departure.

• Banking - Arrange to close your existing accounts and open accounts in your new location.

• Vehicles - Will you need to register your vehicle in your new location? If you will be traveling a significant distance, consider having your car serviced prior to your departure.

• Packing Helpful Hint - Be systematic and put room labels on all of your boxes.  Whether it's a moving company or your family and friends, this will alleviate a lot of confusion when it comes to unpacking. 

One Week Before Moving

• Moving Company - Provide them with a detailed itinerary, map and your emergency contact information.

• Lawn Equipment - Drain gas from power equipment.

• Medications - If you are currently taking any prescription medications, make sure you have enough to get you through the move.  Arrange for the prescriptions to be filled in a pharmacy at your new location.

• Cancel Services - If you haven't already done so, cancel any subscriptions to newspapers and utility companies.  Make sure any library books are returned.

• Packing Helpful Hint: Create survival boxes - Have you ever shown up at your new residence and spent an hour looking for soap or shampoo?  I have! My solution is to create "survival" boxes.  If possible, keep these with you in your car vs. the moving van.

• Overnight Bag - Pack a bag with everything you might need to get through one day.  Items may include: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes and flashlight.

• Kitchen Box - scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner and aspirin or ibuprofen, easy to prepare boxed dinners, etc.

• Have a portable tool box - Similar to the shampoo/soap scenario, I've spent hours looking for the box that has the screw driver so I can re-assemble a piece of furniture (or take it apart to fit it through a door).  Having a tool box with some basic tools, can save lots of time and frustration in setting up your furniture or making a basic fix.

• Valuables/Fragile Items - If possible, consider keeping these in your vehicle vs. the moving van.  If your move is local, consider giving them to friends and family to hold until your move is complete.

• Refrigerator - Begin to clear out unnecessary items, clean and prepare for moving day.

Moving Day

• Moving Company - If possible, be on hand to answer any questions the moving company may have. Stay until the movers are finished. Give them your emergency contact information and verify they have the correct address and directions to your new home.  Carefully review any documentation for accuracy. 

• Final Walk Through - Conduct a final walk through of your home and make sure nothing is left behind.

• Keys - Remember to leave your keys and garage door openers with the appropriate person.

• Dress for the occasion - Moving is not the time to make a fashion statement. Dress comfortably and wear sensible shoes. 

• Don't forget to eat and drink - Packing and moving requires calories! Remain hydrated and eat nutritious foods. It's easy to get caught up and forget to eat which can result in cranky attitudes and high stress levels. 

• Be Kind to one another - Remember, patience, patience, patience.  Everyone is probably tired and experiencing some level of stress.

Destination!

• Survival Boxes - locate your survival boxes and unpack those first.

• Moving Company - If possible, be at the new location when your moving company arrives and starts unpacking. Make sure your inventory list and items delivered are accounted for.  Check and report on any damaged or missing items promptly.

• Documents - Locate and store your important documents in a safe place.

• Mail - Check to see if you have any mail that has been held at the post office.

• Lastly - Pace yourself.  It will take awhile to set up your new home.

If you missed "Helpful Moving Tips - Part 1 of 2", click here!

I hope you find these tips useful! Enjoy your new home.

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Over the course of my 20 years in real estate, I've had the opportunity to observe people as they prepare to move to a new residence.  Whether it's across town or across the country, the move is essentially the same. I've also moved a few times and have succumbed to pitfalls and the stress of moving as well.  So, below are my "moving tips".  I hope they help you have a more streamlined and successful move day.

Eight Weeks from Moving Day:

• Donate, Donate, Donate - If you don't absolutely need it, donate or sell the items you don't intend to bring with you.  Not only will this save you countless hours of packing items you probably won't use at your new destination, you'll save on moving costs. Consider holding a yard sale.  You might be pleasantly surprised at the end of the day!
• Start Packing Now! In my experience, packing always takes longer than you expect.  Start with items that you're not currently using such as off-season clothing, basement, attic and garage items.  Kitchens actually take a lot of time to pack, so plan accordingly.
• Perishable Items - Use things now that you can't move such as perishable food items and cleaning supplies.
• Moving Company Estimates - Solicit at least three estimates on moving your possessions. Contact your homeowner's insurance company to see if any portion of your move is covered.
• School Records - Transfer your children's school records, if applicable.

Six Weeks from Moving Day:

•  Possessions Inventory - Evaluate what items you intend to bring with you.  Do you need it all?  Are there any more items that should be donated/sold? 
• Notifications - Complete post-office change of address cards for the following: banks; charge cards; religious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends; income tax bureau/Social Security Administration/union; insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker; magazines; post office; and schools.
• Moving Company - Contact the moving company of your choice and schedule the move date.  Inquire about insurance coverage. 
• Yard Sale - If you haven't done so already, hold a yard sale or donate any unwanted items. 
• Health Professionals - Locate heath care professionals in your new town. 
• Subscribe - Consider subscribing to the newspaper in your new town or keep abreast of local news through the internet.

 Four Weeks from Moving Day:

• Gather Important Documentation - Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc.  Keep it in a safe, readily accessible place.
• Contact Insurance Companies - (auto, homeowner's, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
• Pack, Pack, Pack - Keep packing!
• Contact Service Providers - Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection companies for service disconnect /connect at your old and new addresses. Also, ask for final readings.
• Request Refunds - Check to see if you're due a refund on unused homeowner's insurance, security deposit with landlord, or prepaid cable/internet service. 

Keep your eyes open for Moving Tips - Part 2!