Plan Ahead

• Plan your travel itinerary. Make transportation and lodging reservations in advance.
• Send change of address to: - post office (give forwarding address) - Charge accounts and credit cards - subscriptions (change notice requires several weeks) - friends and relatives
• Contact gas, electric and telephone companies in new location to arrange for immediate service.
• Arrange insurance on the new home prior to the transfer of property.
• Arrange for your present bank to establish credit references for new bank accounts.
• Service appliances before moving.
• Clean rugs and have them wrapped.
• Discontinue deliveries, electricity, water, gas, newspapers and garbage collection, etc.
• Obtain copies or transfer your children's school records.
• Obtain records from doctors and dentists, including eyeglass prescriptions, dental X-rays and vaccinations.
• Cancel club memberships.
• Transfer car title registration, if necessary, as well as driver's license, city windshield sticker and motor club membership.
• Pay existing bills and cancel local charge accounts.
• Check on personal items that may be at the photo shop, bank safe deposit box, neighbor's house, on lay-a-way or in the repair shop (i.e. shoes, jewelry, small appliances or clothing).
• Arrange for transporting pets and obtain immunization records from the vet.
• Return all library books and anything borrowed from friends.
• Notify the religious leader of your church or synagogue.
• Carry traveler's checks for quick, available funds.
• Plan for special care and needs of infants.
• Arrange for transporting plants.
• Service the car for the trip.
• Disconnect the telephone.
• Review moving plans with your moving company representative including insurance for packing and unpacking, arrival date, payment agreement, shipping papers, etc.

• Clean and air out your stove.
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer 24 hours before leaving.
• Place charcoal or baking soda inside refrigerator and freezer to dispel odors.
• Dispose of all open cans and jars which cannot be tightly sealed.
• Remember to pack your telephone directory for future reference.

Cleaning:

• Soap powder
• Kitchen cleanser
• Dish towels
• Paper towels
• Dish cloth
• Steel wool pads
• Sponge
• Window cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Mop
• Broom

• Paper plates, cups, napkins
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Plastic pitcher for drinks
• Small saucepan
• Serving spoons
• Tea kettle

• Facial tissue
• Toilet tissue
• Bath towel
• Shower curtain
• Face cloth
• Bath soap
• First aid kit
• Aspirin
• Prescription medicine

• Light bulbs
• Flashlight
• Hammer, screwdriver, pliers
• Aluminum foil
• Shelf paper
• Trash bags
• Twine
• Newspaper

• Coloring books and crayons
• Favorite toys
• Reading materials
• Puzzles
• Small surprise gift

• Easy-open cans of pudding
• Sandwich spreads
• Jars of cheese
• Packages of crackers
• Instant creamer, sugar, salt
• Dry soup mix
• Boxes of dry cereal, raisins
• Instant coffee, tea, chocolate
• Fresh fruit

• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with a friend or relative.
• Carry all currency, jewelry and personal papers (birth certificates, deeds and documents).
• Double check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty.
• Confirm hotel reservations.
• Leave all old keys needed by the tenant or owner with your sales associate.

1. Do as much yourself as possible
   Pack yourself and have friends and family help. Packing the boxes yourself can reduce the cost of the move considerably.
2. Move off season
   Check with local movers and determine their off season. Typically, moves between October 1 and May 31 are the least expensive.
3. Get the floor plan of your new home
   If the furniture you own will not fit.get rid of it!
4. Throw away your old clothes
   Clothes are heavy. Do not pay to move an outfit you will never wear again.
5. Throw away or sell heavy low value items
   Consider replacing them at your new home
6. Consider selling large hard to move items
   Appliances, jungle gyms, pool tables are all expensive to move
7. Have a yard sale
   Sell off those unwanted items before the move
8. Donate to your favorite charity
   Donate unwanted items to charity and claim the deduction at tax time
9. Save moving expense records
   Some moves can be deductible.check with the IRS or your tax advisor
10. Keep home sale records
    Some home improvements, fix up to sell costs, and selling expenses are tax deductible
11. Document possessions
    Make a home video or formally document your possessions and keep in a safe place with you in case you need to file a claim for loss or damage.
12. Complete the home sale paperwork prior to your departure
    Save yourself the expenses of the return trip
13. Check with your homeowners insurance provider
    You may get a discount by having them insure your new home, or you may be entitled to a refund from the old policy
14. Collect your deposits prior to your departure
    Talk with your utility companies and discuss how and when you will get your deposits back
15. Call to set up utilities in your new home in advance of arrival
    Letting the utility companies know that you are purchasing the home and would like the utilities switched into your name at "midnight" on the day of settlement will save you costly re-connect fees, and will keep you out of hotels as you wait for the utilities to be turned on.