preparing to move

Click icon to add picture PREPARING TO MOVE:TIPS AND CHECKLIST

ASSIGN A COLOR TO EACH ROOM. Mark boxes and furniture with appropriate stickers. Have a color-coded floor plan of your new home to ease the move-in process.

LABEL AND NUMBER EACH BOX. Besides color coding, make sure each box is clearly labeled. Keep a master inventory list with the contents of each box.

BE PREPARED FOR SPECIALTY ITEMS. Take an inventory early on of any items that will need specialty packaging or additional insurance during the move.

USE THE RIGHT SIZE BOX. Heavy items, like books, should be packed in smaller boxes to avoid making a single box too heavy. Lighter items, like linens and pillows, can be packed in larger boxes.

FILL IN THE BLANKS. Fill in any gaps with clothing, towels or packing paper.

TAPE, TAPE AND MORE TAPE. Secure the top and bottom seams of the box with a couple pieces of tape, then make a couple wraps all the way around the top and bottom edges. This is where stress is most concentrated!

STRESS-FREE PACKING

The buying or selling of your home can be stressful, especially when mixed with the emotions that come with moving to a new neighborhood. These tips will help your children cope with these changes.

BE POSITIVE ABOUT THE MOVE. Your emotions can set the mood for the entire experience; remain positive and upbeat about the changes that lie ahead.

ANSWER QUESTIONS OPENLY AND HONESTLY. Make sure young members of the family know they can count on you for answers. Their questions will give you an idea of how they are feeling and can guide your efforts to help them relax.

ASSIGN YOUNG FAMILY MEMBERS A SPECIFIC TASK. Help everyone get involved by creating a to-do list, then assigning age-appropriate tasks to each member of the family. Creating a sense of ownership can give everyone a feeling of responsibility.

PLAN AHEAD. Before the move, investigate programs and activities that your family would enjoy. Register your children for sports or other activities similar to the type of activities they like to participate in. You want them to be introduced to other people of their own age and start making friends as soon as possible.

SMOOTH MOVES WITH KIDS

Moving isn’t just stressful for people – it’s equally stressful for pets. Pre-planning is very important as animals can be very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. These tips will help make a smooth transition.

INTRODUCE THE TRAVEL CRATE. Whether moving by car or air, the crate your pet travels in will be his home during the trip. It’s crucial that your pet feels comfortable in it ahead of time. Introduce your pet to his crate as soon as you know you’re moving. Additionally, you can try feeding your pet in the crate on a daily basis to help ease the transition.

ARRANGE A TRIP TO THE VET. If you’re traveling across state lines or international borders, you may need a health certificate. This is also a good time to get a copy of your pet’s veterinary records, including any medications.

PREP YOUR NEW HOME FOR PETS. Upon your arrival at your new home, immediately set out familiar and necessary things for your pet (food/water, toys, dog bed, litter box, etc. Keep all windows and external doors closed when your pet is unsupervised, and be aware of any narrow gaps or places where nervous pets may try to hide.

SMOOTH MOVES WITH PETS

IF YOU ARE QUALIFIED, YOU MAY DEDUCT THESE EXPENSES: • Tolls and parking fees on the trip• Up to 30 days storage of household goods• Disconnecting and connecting utilities• Packing and transporting household goods• Mileage for use of your own car (or gas/oil

expenses)• Transportation/lodging for yourself and members of

your household while traveling to the new home

Of course, not all moves are deductible. In order to deduct your moving expenses, you have to meet two tests:

TIME – You must begin working as a full-time employee within 13 weeks of your move, and you must work at least 39 weeks during the 12 months after your move. It doesn’t matter whether you were transferred by your employer or you took a brand new job.

DISTANCE – To meet this test, your new job has to be at least 50 miles further from your old home than your old job was. If you didn’t have a job before the move, your new job has to be at least 50 miles from your old home.

ARE MOVING EXPENSESTAX DEDUCTIBLE?

CREATE A MOVING BINDER. Use this to keep track of everything – estimates, receipts, inventory of your items, notes, etc.

SORT & PURGE. Go through every room of your house & decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Have a garage sale or consider donating unwanted items.

CREATE AN INVENTORY. Take photos or video, create a spreadsheet, or use an app like the Insurance Information Institute Know Your Stuff Home Inventory.

RESEARCH MOVING COMPANIES. Request an on-site estimate instead of a quote over the phone or internet. Get an estimate in writing from each company. Be sure to find out about insurance coverage and check with your insurance company about any additional insurance.

ORGANIZE SCHOOL RECORDS. Go to your children’s schools and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.

MOVING CHECKLIST:6-8 WEEKS BEFORE

ORDER SUPPLIES. Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.

USE IT OR LOSE IT. Start using things you don’t want to use, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.

INTRODUCE YOUR PET TO THE TRAVEL CRATE. Get your pet comfortable spending time, including feeding, in their travel crate.

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENTS. Let them know about your move and find out about any changes you need to make to your policies.

MEASURE FURNITURE AND DOORWAYS. Make sure you will be able to move items easily out of your old home and into your new one. While you may not have access or know your new home at this point, you can start planning to dissemble furniture if needed.


BEGIN PACKING ITEMS YOU DON’T USE OFTEN. This includes rooms like the basement as well as specialty items like the waffle iron.

SEPARATE VALUABLES. Items like jewelry and important files should be added to a special box that you will personally transport to your new home.

DO A CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Fill out a change-of-address form at your post office, or online at usps.gov.

NOTIFY IMPORTANT PARTIES. Alert your bank, brokerage firms, your employer’s HR department, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, credit card, insurance, utility companies, and services at your old home such as landscaping and cleaning services.

OBTAIN AND TRANSFER MEDICAL RECORDS. Arrange for medical records (both human and pet) to be sent to any new healthcare providers or obtain copies yourself. Ask for referrals in your new location.


PACK THE BULK OF YOUR ITEMS. Be sure to pack a specialty box for each room or person of items that will be needed first at the new house.

PLAN SPECIALTY LOGISTICS. This includes childcare, pet and plant transportation, arranging a day off from work, etc. Transfer prescriptions and make sure you have an adequate supply of any medications.

GET A TUNE UP. Take your car in for service. Ask the mechanic about any considerations if you are moving to a new climate.

PLAN MEALS FOR YOUR LAST FEW WEEKS.

CLEAN OUT YOUR SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX. If you’ll be changing banks or locations, remove the contents of your safe-deposit box and put them in your valuables box.

CONFIRM (AND RECONFIRM) YOUR MOVING ARRANGEMENTS. This includes the moving company and any friends or family who will be assisting you.


FINISH PACKING. Be sure each member of the family and each room has necessities and a last-out-first-in box or suitcase.

DEFROST THE FREEZER. If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.

DOUBLE-CHECK THE DETAILS. Reconfirm with the moving company and any friends or family who are assisting you in the move. Have an information sheet available including old and new addresses, directions, contact information, etc.

PLAN FOR PAYMENT. Get a cashier’s check if necessary, and withdraw cash for the tip. Refreshments are always appreciated during the moving process.

PREPARE EQUIPMENT. Drain gas and oil from lawn equipment, gas grills, heaters, etc.

MOVING CHECKLIST:A FEW DAYS BEFORE

HAVE TOOLS HANDY. If you are breaking down furniture yourself, have the necessary equipment available.

PROTECT YOUR OLD AND NEW HOMES. Place carpet, floor and door frame protectors throughout.

DOUBLE CHECK. Check every room, closet and drawer one last time to make sure nothing is left behind.

LEAVE A NOTE. Leave your new address so the new homeowner can forward any stray mail.

PACK BOXES IN ORDER. Load boxes in a pre-designated order, saving “last load” items for the rear of the car or truck.

INSPECT FOR DAMAGES. Photograph relevant items prior to signing a moving release (sometimes called a bill of lading).

ENJOY YOUR NEW HOME!

MOVING CHECKLIST:MOVING DAY

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