In Search of a New Residence
Subscribe to the area's local newspaper in advance of your move. It usually
contains a large real estate section, which can be very helpful in giving you
some idea of the type of housing available in the new city, as well as other
useful information. Arrange for a house-hunting trip to your new city. When
looking for a new home, take along a tape measure and a list of the exact
dimensions of each of your major appliances and other large pieces of furniture.
Measure the areas provided for them to be sure your appliances and furniture
will fit. Establish credit in the new city. Ask your banker for a referral to a
correspondent bank and to act as a credit reference. Preplanning Your Move Plan
the move as early as possible. If you are able to move at any time of the year,
don't wait until summer, the peak-moving season. Consider also that the first
and last few days of the month are extra busy. If you plan to sell your house,
get it on the market as soon as possible. If renting, give your landlord timely
notice of your moving date. Keep a record of all expenses related to the move,
some of which may be tax deductible. Fill out the Personal Household Inventory
for each room. This is important for establishing the amount of declared
valuation for the shipment and as a permanent inventory for insurance purposes.
List, as nearly as possible, the year of purchase and original cost of each
item. Attach any invoices or records of purchase to the completed inventory.
Prepare a separate high-value inventory if the shipment will contain articles of
'extraordinary' value. The following list includes items that might fall into
this category:
Antiques
Art Collections
Cameras
China Collections
Computer Equipment
Crystal
Figurines
Firearms
Jewelry
Manuscripts
Oriental Rugs
Silver
Stones Or Gems
Tapestries
TVs Or Stereos
Estimate of Moving Costs
Unless you have been given a binding estimate where a firm cost is established
in advance, the exact cost of a move cannot be determined until after the
shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. The weight on which charges are
based is calculated by weighing the van before and after loading. The total cost
of the move will include transportation charges, any charges for declared
valuation, plus charges for any extra services performed at your request. All of
these charges are based on tariff rate schedules. Owner's Responsibility It is
the owner's responsibility to see that your mechanical, electrical equipment and
appliances are properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving
van. For safe moving, have these items prepared by a licensed or properly
trained technician. This service may be performed by a technician of your choice
or by qualified personnel of the moving company. If the owner has failed to have
an item serviced, the van operator may load and haul it, but will mark the
inventory sheet, 'Not Serviced-Loaded at Owner's Risk.'
Six to Eight Weeks before Moving Day Working with the Mover.
Have the moving company conduct a household goods survey in order
to furnish you with a written estimate, although the final cost will depend on
the actual weight of your household goods after they are loaded on the van
Before the removal list arrives, inspect the property. Include the
garage, patio and any storage shed. Decide what to move and what to discard.
Remember the cost of moving an item may be greater than the cost of replacing it
Decide whether you want to do any of the packing or have it done
by the moving company's experienced personnel. Show the removal list everything
that is to be moved. Specify articles that are to be packed so the estimate will
include these charges. Any items that are later added to the shipment will add
to the cost estimate.
Transfer of Personal Records
Arrange for closing or transfer of charge accounts.
Check personal insurance policies to see whether moving is
covered. Transfer fire, theft and other personal property insurance to ensure
coverage at the new home.
Obtain transcripts of the children's school records and
credentials from school authorities or secure transcripts of school records, if
you prefer to take them along.
Gather medical and dental records including vaccination data,
medical prescriptions, dates of last examinations, history of past illnesses and
so on.
Ask your doctor and dentist to recommend colleagues in the new
city. Be sure to check current telephone numbers and addresses of physicians,
dentist and hospital, which will help when transferring your records.
Obtain letters of introduction from your church, organization,
club, and business Associates.
Transfer, sell or resign memberships in clubs or associations.
Report your move to any lending agency with which you do business. A lender's
permission may be required to move personal property in which the lender has an
interest.
Four to Six Weeks before Moving Day
Planning Your Packing if you plan to do the packing yourself,
start collecting suitable containers. You can purchase specialized containers
from most moving companies, such as:
Small cartons for heavy items (books, record albums, and tools).
Wardrobe containers
Large cartons for bulky items (pillows, blankets, and stuffed
toys).
Medium-sized cartons for bulkier but not so heavy items (towels,
linens, and small appliances)
Collect other packing materials
White paper
Tissue paper
Paper towels
Non printed paper
Newspapers
Tape or Strong twine for sealing
containers
Scissors or Sharp knife (keep out
of children's reach)
Felt marker to mark containers
Notebook & Pencil for listing
contents
Labels or Stickers (Available from
moving company)
Set goals and deadlines to ensure that all packing is completed by moving
day. You may want to pack one room per week. Attach a list of contents to each
carton. Separate and mark goods that will go into storage. Consider having a
garage sale to dispose of unwanted items. If you donate clothing or household
goods to charitable organizations, get receipts showing their approximate value
for tax deductions? Remember that the cost of moving an item may be greater than
replacing it. Begin to use up large supplies of canned goods and frozen foods.
Buy only what will be used before moving. Places To Notify of Impending Address
Change Utilities.
Electric
Gas
Water
Telephone
Fuel
Trash removal
Professional Services
Doctor
Dentist
Accountant
Lawyer
Real estate Agent
Stock broker
Insurance Agents
Life
Health
Fire
Auto
Boat
Established Business Accounts
Credit cards
Motor Vehicle Department
Finance companies
Banks
Department stores
Government and Public Offices
Social Security Administration
Federal and state income tax offices
Publications
Newspapers
Magazines
Professional and trade
Credit Card Companies
Bank cards
Oil companies
Store cards
Other cards
Relatives and friends
Business associates
Book and record clubs
Schools and colleges
Church
Landlord, if you are a tenant Tenants, if you are a landlord.
Two to Three Weeks before Moving Day
Let the post office know your moving date and new address. If you do not have a
permanent address by the time you move, the post office will hold your mail and
forward it upon written instructions from you. Phone the local business office
of the Telephone Company. They can make arrangements for service in your new
home and, on request, give out your new number when your present number is
called.
Contact all service companies as listed:
Electric
Gas
Water
Fuel
Cable TV
If possible, arrange to have utilities connected before your arrival. Make
family travel plans. Reserve air or rail transportation and hotel accommodations
as needed. Have your car prepared for the trip-tires, brakes, lubrication, oil
change, and tune-up-as needed. Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning
fluids, matches, acids, pressure cans or paint thinner. Drain oil and fuel from
your power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint,
syrup or any other substance that may leak. Carefully tape-seal and place in
individual waterproof bags any jars of liquids or semi-liquids you do not wish
to discard. Have rugs cleaned that are to be moved. Leave them rolled and
wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners. If draperies are to be moved,
have them cleaned and ready for alterations that might be needed in your new
home. Collect items that are being cleaned stored or repaired (clothing, shoes,
watches). Empty your locker at any club you are a member of. Return library
books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors. Also collect things you
may have loaned. Decide what to do with your houseplants.
Set a date with a reliable service person to prepare your appliances for
shipment, preferably the day before the move. Depending on the appliance, post
service may be needed for refrigerator, freezer, range, washer, dryer and
others. For more information, request a free booklet, generally provided by most
Home Removal companies. Pianos and organs need to be prepared for moving by a
specialized technician. Make arrangements to have utilities disconnected on
moving day:
Electric
Gas
Water
Fuel
Cable TV
Plan to keep your telephone in service through moving day in case last
minute calls are necessary. Take pets to the veterinarian. Make sure
identification tags are securely attached to the pet's collar.
Three Days before Moving Day
Instant Aid Box
Pack a box for instant needs on arrival. Mark the box 'To be loaded last and
Unloaded first.' Package each group of items separately in labeled paper bags.
Here are some suggestions.
Cleaning
Powdered detergent
Sponge
Paper towels
Dish towels
Dish cloth
Kitchen cleanser
Window cleaner
Scouring pads
Kitchen
Paper plates, cups, napkins
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Small saucepan
Serving spoons
Aluminum foil
Snacks
Easy-to-open cans of pudding
Dry soup mix
Sandwich spreads
Jars of cheese
Package of crackers
Boxes of dry cereals
Instant coffee, tea, chocolate
Instant creamer, sugar, salt
Bathroom
Towels and face cloths
Toilet tissue
Facial tissue
Soap, hand lotion, deodorant
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Reading materials
Puzzles
Cellular telephone
Light bulbs
Flashlight
Hammer, screwdriver, pliers, assorted nails and screws
Shelf paper
Trash bags and ties
Children
Coloring books and crayons
A favorite toy or two
Complete the 'Take-with-Me Inventory' checklist in Appendix D. Check
contents of drawers. Remove all things that can spill or break. Soft goods such
as blankets, pillows, blouses, shirts and lingerie may be left in drawers. Pin
clothing to hangers if it is to be moved in wardrobe cartons to keep it from
slipping off. Remove items left in the attic or other storage areas. Empty the
refrigerator and freezer so they can dry at least 24 hours before moving. Be
careful not to overlook the defrost water pan. Failure to have the appliances
completely dry can lead to mildew and unpleasant odor. For more information,
request a free booklet, Moving Appliances and Other Home Furnishings, from
United Van Lines. Be sure the water is emptied from your steam iron. Launder all
soiled clothing prior to the day the appliance service technician is expected.
Take the telephone directory with you for contacting former doctors, dentists,
suppliers, etc., and for preparing holiday card lists. Pack suitcases for the
trip to the new home. Put in extra clothing for emergencies. Consider packing a
picnic lunch to eat while traveling. Take along snacks such as fruit and cookies
for the children. Include towels for a quick cleanup. Arrange for a baby-sitter
for moving day, or have older children look after the younger ones.
Moving Day Loading Your Belongings
Be on hand when the movers arrive. Otherwise, it is important to
let the Removalist know to whom you have given authority to take your place. Be
sure this person knows exactly what to do. Remember the person may be asked to
sign documents obligating you to charges.
Accompany the van operator through the house inspecting and
tagging each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along
with a description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading,
will appear on the inventory.
Be sure the condition of each item is recorded and the van
operator has clear understanding about what is to be loaded last. It is your
responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the
premises until loading is completed. After making a final tour of the house to
be sure no items have been overlooked, check and sign the inventory. Get your
copy and keep it in a safe place.
Check to see the van operator has the exact destination address.
Be specific as to where and how you can be reached pending the arrival of your
household goods.
Leave the phone connected throughout the moving day. Leave a note
listing your new address in a conspicuous place in the house so the new
occupants will be able to forward any of your mail inadvertently delivered to
them.
Take a last look around:
Water shut off?
Gas shut off?
Air-conditioning shut off?
Light switches turned off?
All utilities arranged for disconnection?
Windows shut and locked?
Have you left anything?
Lock the house and leave the keys with a responsible person or in
a prearranged location.
At Your Destination
Contact the destination Removalist whose name appears on the forms
signed as soon as possible and indicate where and how you can be reached.
Make sure the house is ready for occupancy before the van arrives.
If you have not already done so, contact the utility companies and make
necessary arrangements for service. Ask if any of them provides free appliance
connection service.
Be on hand to accept delivery of your household goods. Otherwise
authorize an adult as your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges
for you. Inform the Removalist of the person so authorized. On the day of
delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and make an
appearance at the residence if unable to reach you. If no one appears to accept
the shipment within the free waiting time, the goods will be placed in storage
at the owner's expense.
Check your household goods, as they are unloaded. If there is a
change in the condition of the property from that noted on the inventory at the
time of loading or if any items are missing, note any damage and/or missing
items on the van operator's copy of the inventory sheet. By signing the
inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed. Personally
report any loss or damage to the moving company agent at destination
immediately. (You must file the claim yourself; the van operator cannot do it
for you.)
To save time and confusion, place a floor plan of your new home at
the entrance the movers will use, indicating where each piece of furniture
should go.
Then unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you
direct, including the lying of rugs and setting up of bed frames, box springs
and mattresses. However, appliances and fixtures may not be installed. At your
request and additional cost, the agent may arrange for this service and for
refilling of waterbed mattresses.
To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic
equipment and certain major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after
delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature. If you have paid for
unpacking, you are entitled to unpacking service and removal of the cartons.
Getting Settled
If you have not already done so, contact the utility companies and
make necessary arrangements for service. Ask if any of them provides free
appliance connection service.
Make arrangements for reinstallation of appliances.
Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You
will need them for verification of moving expenses and for filing your income
tax returns. For more information on tax-deductible moving expenses, consult an
Accountant or Tax specialist.
Check with the post office for any mail being held and ask for
delivery to start.
Have your medical and dental records transferred after selecting a
family physician and dentist.
You may want to select a Lawyer discuss laws pertaining to your
destination state, county and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills,
transfers of property and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws,
taxes and the like. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new
state and city is established. Register to vote.
Locate the selected schools. Take the children, introduce yourself
and register them.
Best Regards,
Nil Erdal Broker Associate
Coldwell BankerÂ
Top One Percent Producer
(408) 973-9805
(650) 323-9805
E-mail Me
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