It’s easier to sell a home and enjoy a smoother move when you follow a moving checklist. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating your own checklist, and making your move as easy as possible:
Get estimates from movers a few months before you sell your home, and decide on a favorite. Then inventory your household items for insurance purposes. This is also a great time to get rid of clutter.
When you’re a few weeks out from moving, push the following items up on your moving checklist: Schedule service disconnections for utilities, and call your insurance company to find out how your belongings are covered during your move. Arrange for storage space, if necessary.
Approximately two weeks before you move, plan a moving sale for those items you won’t be taking with you. Also collect – and protect – your important records including legal and financial documents, medical records, school records, birth certificates and passports.
Within a few days of moving, ensure you’ve properly disposed of all things you aren’t bringing to your new home, including dangerous and flammable products. Remember to drain gas and oil from machines such as lawn mowers, as well. If you live in an apartment, make arrangements to use of the service elevator, and shore up daycare arrangements, if necessary.
A few more things to add to your moving checklist after you sell a home:
- Cancel newspaper delivery
- Return borrowed/loaned items
- Transfer medical prescriptions
- Send out change-of-address notifications as needed
- Transfer bank accounts and settle up bills
- Pack a travel bag.
Moving in
Here are a few tips to help you after you sell a home and begin your physical move:
- Inventory your belongings after the trip
- Connect utilities and make sure your appliances are all working
- Make sure you are registered with the local post office
- Get new driver’s license and tags for your automobiles
Making a moving checklist is a smart idea after you sell a home. Consider building your own checklist to make your move a good one.