For New Home Owners and First Time Buyers

In the Months Before Moving

• Investigate moving options. Check rates and availability of all options. Get price quotes. If it's a company move, check with your employer to find out what moving expenses they cover.

• Create a "move file" to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.

• Check with the IRS to see what expenses can be deducted on your next tax return.

• Budget for moving expenses and start collecting estimates

• Start pulling together medical and dental records - including prescriptions and immunization dates. Ask your existing doctors if they can refer you to a care provider in your new city.

• Arrange to have school records transferred to your children's new school district and/or daycare.

• Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies. Ask if moving is covered and arrange for insurance for your new home.

• Contact member organizations you have joined. Ask how you can end, sell or transfer your membership.

• Inventory all household items to be moved.

• Make a list of friends, relatives and businesses who need to be notified of your move.

• Start working your way through each room taking inventory and deciding what to get rid of. Start planning a yard sale or contact your local charities.

• Plan to use up things that can't be moved, such as frozen foods, bleach and aerosol cleaners.

• Purchase collecting boxes and other packing supplies.
  

Moving Month

• Get an itemized list of all moving related costs and review with mover, including packing, loading, special charges, insurance, vehicles (if needed), etc.

• File a change of address. You can do this online and, with one stop, have all interested parties notified.

• Contact utility companies to disconnect, transfer or connect services. This can also be done online.

• Call your newspaper courier, lawn services and others and set a date to cancel your subscription.

• Make sure all library books have been returned and that all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up.

• Start packing items you don't use often. Also start disposing of the items you've designated for a yard sale, donation or the junk yard. If you donate, be sure to get a receipt for income tax purposes.

• Decide if you will keep your plants or give them away. Plants cannot be loaded with your other household goods.

• Dispose of flammables, corrosives and poisons.

• Have your automobile(s) serviced.

• Contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts. Clear out safety deposit boxes. Pick up traveler's checks or cash for "on the road" expenses.

• Confirm travel arrangements.

• Confirm movers, truck rental reservation.
  

Moving Week

• Finish packing and prepare an "essentials" box. Designate several boxes and items as "last load" items. Pack your suitcases and valuables separately.

• Drain gas and oil from your mower and other motors. Gas grills, kerosene heaters, etc. need to be emptied as well.

• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving day.

• Prepare all appliances for loading.

• Fill any necessary prescriptions, medications needed for the next two weeks.

• If you're moving out of a building with elevators, arrange with management for use of elevators on move day.

• Use extra care in securing your load. Make sure the truck is locked and not parked in a vulnerable location.

• Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company (drivers), including your travel itinerary and emergency numbers.

• Do NOT disconnect your telephone until the day after loading.