Moving Tips

Congratulations, you are ready to move into your new home. At this point, you are probably feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the thought of everything you will have to do over the next few weeks. And, since often small or important details can easily be overlooked, it is helpful to lay out a plan for your move.

Garage Sale:

A really good idea is to first decide what you should and should not move. Think about having a garage sale. Not only will you lighten the load for your move, you’ll earn a little cash at the same time.

Moving Companies:

Costs can vary greatly. Get estimates from several moving companies or truck rental companies, depending upon how you plan to make your move. Be sure to check references if you use a moving company or get a referral from friends or family.

Moving Across Long Distances:

If you are moving a distance to your new home, it is often a good idea to plan your travel itinerary and to make any transportation and lodging reservations in advance.

Finances:

If you are planning to transfer your checking and savings accounts, many financial institutions will be happy to open your new account by mail. This will save you time upon arriving to your new home.

Medical:

Requesting medical and dental records prior to relocating can help make a trip to your new physician much more productive.

Packing:

The one thing everyone needs, but no one wants to buy are moving boxes, moving supplies and packing materials. Consider how much your valuables are worth, and then consider whether or not it is worth spending some money to ensure that those items are kept safe during the move. It may not be wise to use your friend's recycled boxes as they may no longer be sturdy.

Take time to sort all items into boxes by room, even if the items are going into the attic or garage for storage. It is often very helpful to sort your items based on which room they will go into, not based on where they came from.

Labeling all of your boxes and drawing up a floor plan of where your furniture should be placed will help eliminate confusion for you and your movers once you arrive.

Keep Your Receipts:

If this move is employment-related, record expenses incurred during your house-hunting trips and any other moving expense. Some of these common expenses are tax deductible.