Moving, Relocating and Selling your House

Are You Thinking About Relocating, but the Thought of Moving is Too Stressfull?

The thought of moving ALL of ones belongings from one location to another is enough to scare anyone out of wanting to move. The “moving” part of relocating is one of the biggest obstacles holding people back from selling their house and upgrading to another.
Let’s face it, moving is no fun. It has long been the most painful part of selling and buying a new home we all experience.

At APEX, we feel no homeowner should allow the thought of “moving” to stand in the way of their relocation efforts. All you need to do is employ a few proven moving techniques, a little organization and determination, and you will move like a pro!

Preparing to Move

Alright, time to buckle down and get some work done…

First, ask family members or friends to support you as much as possible. Moving can be a stressful endeavor. Having the support of your loved ones can be extremely comforting during this stressful time. Ask for help, and you shall receive.

Moving Checklist

Next, a moving checklist is invaluable when trying to move an entire house worth of belongings. So much is happening when you are selling and buying a home that it is impossible to remember everything you need to do. So to help out we put together a timeline as a guide to walk you through the process of moving to a new home.

6-8 Weeks Before Your Move

• Start strategically planning your move, step-by-step, to alleviate the stress of last minute packing.
• Create a room where you can store and organize packing supplies to assist you in your move. Group boxes by size for easy access.
• Make travel arrangements for you and your family, if necessary.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.
• Compile a list of phone numbers for easy access at your new home.
• Create a folder for moving-related expenses where you can file all receipts. Some moving-expenses are tax deductible (out of state).
• Obtain an IRS Change of Address form, Form 8822, and deduct moving expenses, Form 3903 at the IRS website.
• Notify schools in the old and new location and arrange for the transfer of school records and begin the process of registering kids in new schools.
• Collect all medical, dental and school records to ensure you do not forget to obtain them at a later date.
• Possibly hold a garage sale at least two weeks prior to your move.
• Request estimates from movers. When you hire a mover, check to confirm that all the details of the move are correct. If you are packing on your own, make the proper arrangements and get the right supplies. If everything is pre-boxed before the movers arrive it makes things a lot quicker and smoother!
• If you are moving on your own, reserve a moving truck and enlist the help of those awesome family members and friends who helped you pack!

4-5 Weeks Before Your Move

• Complete Post Office Change of Address form in person or online.
• Give a change of address to the following: Banks, Schools, Friends & family, Insurance company, Doctors & specialists, Cellular phone company, Credit card companies
• Make arrangements to disconnect and reconnect your cable, internet, electricity, water and any other services at your new location.
• Make arrangements to possibly switch banks if your bank is not going to be convenient anymore.
• Arrange to receive a new driver’s license and complete auto registration at your new motor vehicle location.
• If you will be making an international move, make sure your passport is up to date and has not expired. Passports generally take 3 weeks to process.

3 Weeks Before Your Move

• Make final arrangements for transporting your car if you plan on doing so. If you are traveling by car, check to make sure your vehicle is in good shape for the trip.
• Search for any forgotten items. Collect valuable items such as jewelry or family heirlooms and keep them separate from the rest of your packed belongings so that you don’t leave them behind.
• Return any borrowed items, such as library books, and collect any clothing that you may have taken to the dry cleaner.
• Start cleaning the various rooms in your house that have been emptied, such as closets, basements or attics.
• Locate pharmacies in the town of your new home to transfer prescriptions.

2 Weeks Before Your Move

• You should have a good sense of what items you will not be taking with you. Organize a garage sale to earn some cash from your unwanted belongings. Also consider donating old clothing and belongings, you may be eligible for a tax deduction.
• Resume packing any items you have not had a chance to pack yet. Your final week at home has the potential to be very stressful and you should prevent pushing things off until the last minute.
• Think about quick and easy meals you can prepare for your family and utilize the remaining food in your refrigerator.
• Make sure all scheduled deliveries (newspaper, milk, etc.) have been canceled or redirected to your new home.
• Empty all lockers at school, work or at your gym.

1 Week Before Your Move

• Mark any unmarked boxes as “Fragile,” “Do not load,” or “Load last” if you have not yet done so.
• If you are not going directly to your new home, ensure that your movers have an address or phone number to contact you at in the event that something goes wrong.
• Empty, clean and defrost your refrigerator/freezer during this final week and use baking soda to rid it of any foul odors.
• Put together a moving day survival kit with items you will need for the trip and immediately when you arrive at your new home. These items include toilet paper, snacks, bottled water, dishes, toiletries, towels, etc. See Moving and Packing Tips below.
• Notify the police in your town if your home will be uninhabited for a long period of time.

Moving & Packing Tips

• Don’t overfill your boxes. They should be able to close easily.
• Pack your belongings room by room and label as you go for easier identification.
• Mark any unmarked boxes as “Fragile,” “Do not load,” or “Load last” if you have not yet done so.
• Tape boxes on both ends (using 2 inch tape) and at every opening.
• Wrap fragile items in two layers of newspaper and make sure to provide extra cushioning for fragile items.
• Do NOT use printed newspaper for china or lamp shades – the ink will damage these items.
• By law, a moving company typically cannot transport hazardous materials of any kind, so put them in a plastic container and with the other valuables.
• Personal valuable, such as important papers and jewelry, should be transported by customers and are not be covered by a moving company.
• Start packing the items you will need first before the others. Make sure the movers put them in last.
• Make sure valuables are clearly marked on the box and inventoried properly by a moving company team leader.