We all know, moving day can be quite a headache if not well planned ahead of time.  Here is a helpful guide to make planning and organizing for the big move much easier.  Follow this easy-to-use guide and hopefully your moving day will be a success!

MOVING DAY MINUS SIX WEEKS

• Change address at post office (effective on moving day).  Keep a list of needed address changes, check off as you notify.
• Change magazines and other computer address mail now.
• Start a file of vial papers and reminders (accordion file or 3-ring binder with pockets keeps them in their proper categories).
• Get estimates from moving companies or truck rentals if you move yourself.  Plan ahead if moving in peak seasons of June – September.

MOVING DAY MINUS FIVE WEEK

• Select moving company, confirm moving date and decide who will pack you, professionals or yourself.  Paid packers typically come the day before moving day.
• Start sorting.  Decide what to move, what to sell, give away, or discard.  Trim down as much as much as possible before take off.
• Sketch floor plan of new home, decide furniture placement.
• Inventory your possessions, with value and year of purchase if possible.  Photo or video records are ideal.
• Start do-it yourself packing; seldom used dishes, glassware, books, off-season clothes, workshop, garage tools, hobby equipment, etc.
• Establish staging area for packed cartons in extra room or garage.

MOVING DAY MINUS FOUR WEEKS

Take care of legal contracts (on your own or with the help of a lawyer, insurance agent, and/or accountant).  Include:

• Credit cards, bank accounts, charge accounts.
• Utilities and telephone services.
• Memberships in social, athletic and religious organizations; make arrangements to move memberships.
• Insurance: homeowners, automobile, medical, life & disability.
• Employment agreements.
• Wills, trusts, and other legal or financial matters; safety deposit box.
• Leased products and services.
• Talk with veterinarian about moving pets, get records.
• Allow extra time if needed shots require a waiting period in between.  Check airplane restrictions.

MOVING DAY MINUS THREE WEEKS

• Arrange for children’s medical/dental records, birth certificates and school transcripts.  Ask doctor/dentist to recommend colleague in new city.
• Fill prescriptions and get copy from doctor for new pharmacist or optometrist.
• Drop off cleaning (remember to pick it up!).
• Pick up anything being repaired, serviced or on layaway.
• Maintain the property in ready-to-show condition.
• Ensure that the home is easily accessible to real estate professionals.
• Try to be flexible in the scheduling of showings.
• When you are not at home, let me know how you can be reached in case an offer is received.
• If approached directly by a buyer who is not represented by a real estate professional, please contact me.  Do not allow them into the property unescorted.
• Remove or lock up valuables, jewellery, cash and prescription medication.
• If possible, do not be present when the property is being shown.
• Securely pen up pets, or take them with you.
• Be cautious about saying anything to buyers or their sales professionals that could weaken your negotiating position, especially regarding price or your urgency to sell.
• Collect the business cards of real estate professionals who preview and show your home, and pass them on to me.
• Let me know of any change in the property’s condition that would need to be disclosed to potential buyers.
• Be available to review with me the list price and condition of your property if it has not sold in a reasonable period of time.

MOVING DAY MINUS TWO WEEKS

• Check your address change list.  Everyone notified?
• Make reservations, have car serviced for the trip.  Earlier ticketing can save money, but risks partial loss if changes are needed.  Best to give yourself breathing room.
• Collect children’s games, activities for the trip.
• Have major appliances serviced for move, if needed.  Check owners manuals.
• Start packing often-used belongings.
• Plan farewell parties and visits this week.

MOVING DAY MINUS ONE WEEK

• Return borrowed items, library books and collect anything borrowed from you.
• Cancel newspaper delivery, effective on moving day.
• Plan meals and snacks, to minimize shopping and use up on-hand food.  Have quick-fix foods ready for moving day, or plan to eat out/carry in.
• Consider having kids go to friends/babysitter for moving day.
• Plan to secure pets or have them go to friends/kennel for the moving day.
• Arrange to have utilities turned on in the new location on estimated move-in-date.
• Empty oil and gas from lawnmower and other equipment.
• Pack everything in kitchen you can do without until you unpack at new home.
• Call your lawyer to get in for final signing of sale or purchase.
• Arrange your homeowners insurance.

MOVING DAY MINUS ONE DAY

• Finish packing kitchen things.
• Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator.  Leave door open to dry well.
• Get traveller’s cheques.  Empty safe deposit box.  Make arrangements to pay movers (personal cheques may not be acceptable).
• Pack suitcase with personal belongings to use until van arrives at new home.
• Pack “CARE” carton of essentials (toiletries, canned and dry food, can opener, light bulbs, trash bags, sauce pan, etc.) to be loaded last and unloaded first.
• Load the car, if you are driving.

MOVING DAY

• Strip beds.
• Load last minute items in car.
• Be available to movers for question/suggestions, but don’t try to supervise the van packing.  Mark boxes (coloured stickers are ideal) for room placement in the new house.  Check inventory carefully.  Be sure movers know how to contact you en route and in the new town before their arrival.  Give them a map to the new home.
• Check rooms, cupboards, closets, drawers, dishwasher, washer, dryer.  Sweep or vacuum (borrow neighbour’s vacuum!).
• Feel free to contact me at any time wit questions or concerns!