7 Things People Forget to Do Before They Move

You packed everything perfectly, including that dining room chandelier, the big-screen TV, the vintage ’70s “Dukes of Hazzard” T-shirt collection. You even got your dog’s medical records from the vet. But something’s keeping you awake at night as your move draws nigh. You know you forgot something.

Don’t worry, keep packing. We assembled this handy checklist of things people often forget to do—or don’t even realize they should take care of—so you can make sure you’re covered and can move and settle down in your new digs with ease.

1 month before: Cancel recurring charges

Taking care of a gym membership or other subscription services may fall by the wayside during the madness leading up to moving day. Worse, those recurring charges will keep mounting on your credit card while you’re in the throes of unpacking. Get a jump on canceling these at least a month before your last expected day of use, especially since many gyms require a 30-day notice.

Can’t get out of your contract or transfer your gym membership to a facility by your new home? Sell it through online classifieds such as GymTransfer (yes, most gyms allow this!). Don’t forget to unload any prepaid class cards, too.

On the flip side, important recurring charges on your credit card—such as mail-order medications—might be canceled if your address change hasn’t caught up with billing information. So compile a list of charges and make the effort to call these companies and give them a heads up to avoid disruption in service.

2 weeks before: Call your car insurance company

The Department of Motor Vehicles advises people in the process of moving to closely manage their car insurance during the transition, as states have varying levels of required coverage. Even if you’re staying in the same city, rates can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. So call your insurer well before the move to find out the parameters and deadlines for updating coverage at your new address.

2 weeks before: Change your address early

Most people know the U.S. Postal Service offers an online form to quickly change an address for all of your mail, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to fill it out.

“To make sure mail arrives at your new home in time for your life there, complete the form about two weeks before your move,” says Desmond Lim, founder of QuikForce, an on-demand website that links people with professional movers. That way “you should see the first of your forwarded mail by the time of move-in.”

1 week before: Organize your finances

Important financial tasks are often forgotten in the whirlwind of moving, says consumer finance expert Kevin Gallegos, vice president of Phoenix operations for Freedom Financial Network. Since losing track of bills among piles of boxes is all too easy, Gallegos recommends setting up systems before a move that can easily transition from old home to new. For monthly bills such as phone, rent, or mortgage, it can really help to set them up for autopay, which you can typically do through your bank or the billing company.

“This can help ensure on-time payment during a hectic time,” he says. Whatever system you choose, decide which household member will be responsible for paying which bills. And as moving often incurs unexpected costs, be sure that you’ll have enough money in designated accounts at time of payment.

1 day before: Snap pictures of your electronics

Those cables in the back of your TV and modem that keep your life wired? They don’t make sense now and will make even less sense when they are tangled in a box. A simple solution is to snap a picture of the setup before you take your electronics apart—and coil the cords and label them with masking tape, for good measure.

1 day before: Pack your plants

Do you have a special plant (maybe that hydrangea you planted for your child’s birth or your mom’s prized azaleas)? To make sure you aren’t forced to leave it behind in your rush, make a list of what plants you want to take with you and put a plant plan in place. Don’t put your shovels into the moving van until the last minute—you’ll need them to carefully dig up root balls. Buy large buckets beforehand and use them to transport each plant.

1 day before: Stock a go-to box

Jen Sandlin, an agent with Cornerstone Real Estate in Boston, reminds movers to “set aside one box for the first 24 hours” in your new home. “Pack paper towels, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, paper plates and silverware, toilet paper, and maybe even a bottle of bubbly to celebrate all your hard work, picnic-style.”

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/things-to-do-before-moving-out/

Relocating to an Unfamiliar Area? Here’s How to Get Your Bearings...

Choosing a home in an unfamiliar neighborhood can be nerve-racking, but it’s almost inevitable when moving to a new city—or even across town. There’s a lot at stake: The wrong decision can cost you money and peace of mind.

Here are some tips to guide you in your search.

Mission: Neighborhood reconnaissance

As with any house hunt, you should first figure out your budget and what you would need, want, and like to have in a house and in a neighborhood. But if you’re relocating across the country, your biggest challenge will be doing long-distance recon on your new hometown.

While you can’t gain access to private social networks such as Nextdoor until you verify you have an address in a neighborhood, a little cybersleuthing will reveal insights on day-to-day life and concerns in areas you’re scouting.

Once you know the general area in which you’d like to live, websites such as City-Datacan collect and analyze data from numerous sources to create detailed profiles of U.S. cities, including information from crime rates to weather patterns. Homefacts includes similar information, then drills down further, listing neighborhood statistics such as median home price, homes for sale, and foreclosures.

AreaVibes can help you narrow down a search; after you type a ZIP code or city in which you’d like to live, you can adjust metrics such as amenities, crime, cost of living, and housing prices to compile a list of neighborhoods that match your “livability” needs.

In addition, many regional newspapers or magazines routinely publish online rankings of their best neighborhoods. Listly has lists of five-star New York real estate communitiesand blue chip Massachusetts real estate communities, so it may be worth a search to see whether there is a similar list for an area in which you’re interested.

Speaking of lists, Livability regularly develops city rankings for a range of topics, including small towns, college towns, and overall best places to live.

The Chamber of Commerce in many towns will also provide a guide for people who are relocating. Also, look for news on property taxes in recent years—falling property taxes likely mean that communities have had to cut back on public services.

If you have children, you’ll want to read up on local public schools on GreatSchools.org, as well as determine what day care and after-school activities are nearby. Even if you don’t have children, good schools are a major factor in determining home values in a neighborhood.

No neighborhood is perfectly tranquil, but check CrimeReports.com for crime reports and maps to get a sense of where an area falls on the spectrum. You should also visit theNational Sex Offender registry and FamilyWatchdog.us, which will identify registered sex offenders living in the area. NeighborhoodScout.com will consolidate crime, school, and real estate data in one report, as well as compile lists on safe cities and neighborhoods with good schools.

Draw on a professional’s expertise

If there is one time above all when you’d really benefit from working with a real estate agent with deep knowledge of an area, it’s when moving to a new town.

A knowledgable professional should be able to provide recommendations and compile background information on neighborhoods and homes that fit your needs and price range. Come prepared with a neighborhood or neighborhoods you like, and he or she can give you more information or suggest similar alternatives.

Get down with the locals

Once you’ve done the research and found a neighborhood you like, drive by several times during the day and at night. Look for the following:

• Are there many “for sale” signs on lawns?
• Are there any abandoned or boarded-up houses in the vicinity?
• Is there a lot of trash on the sidewalks?
• Is the neighborhood close to a shopping or business area?
• How well are neighborhood parks maintained?
• Is street parking restricted after school and during rush hour?

Also try to attend a few open houses in your neighborhood of choice. It’s a good way to get a feel for local property values, and to walk around the area. If you see residents out and about, try to talk to them to get their perspective on the community.

If you have time, try to get a drink in a local bar or a cafe and talk to people there. Apps like Meetup and AroundMe will help you connect with people in a town that have similar interests, as well as help you find the nearest hot spot.

These will be your potential neighbors, so they will provide valuable impressions on whether you’ll be pleased with where you eventually live.

Reposted from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/how-to-get-your-bearings-when-relocating/

Choosing a New Neighborhood

Why is it important to choose a neighborhood?  You are wanting to move to a new house!  Either that or you are a family guy searching for a place to life, or that you are a college student who needs a place to stay, it doesn't matter, you just need to find that perfect neighborhood for you.  What does perfect mean?!  A neighborhood that should match your lifestyle and your life stage too.  Specialists' state that even though this might seem scary at first, if you follow certain guidelines and steps it should be easier.  So, let's discover these steps together!

First of all, you need a community that meets your demands and your budget too.  There is no place for you to dream about something you can't afford; take your time and analyze everything objectively!  The most likely conclusion you'll get - you need to compromise and be realistic!

Making sure you end up in the perfect house, firstly requires to determine if the house is situated in a good neighborhood.  In other words, it doesn't matter if the house is excelling if the location is terrible.  It will ruin everything...After all, you don't intend to move from one place to another!  It's not a hobby, is it?

You live how you choose to live!

How can you decide what is right for you?  Well, its not that problematic as it might appear, but you have to get a clear picture of what you really need and what stands as a silly ambition.  Figure out what exactly you intend on doing in the future and then start scrutinizing the market.  Next, once you have a list of, let's say three neighborhoods that might work for you, then try to get a snapshot of how you'll be living there.  Which fits you better?  Expose your wishlist properly to your real estate agent  and then take a big breath and choose!

While you may think moving is exciting at first sight, well in the end you'll probably get to a common conclusion - 'It's extremely stressful!'  Here are some of the things to consider when trying to find the perfect neighborhood!

Steps in finding the perfect neighborhood!

Step 1 - Set your priorities

You need to have a clear picture of what matters the most of you and what things you can compromise on.  Before a real estate agent can help you, firstly you need to establish what type of community might meet your requirements.  For instance, do you want to live in a small community where you can have close interactions with your neighbors?  Or, on the contrary, do you want to live in the city center in order to have an active night life?  Everything depends on what you want for your new life!

Step 2 - Sketch a brief description

Once you know exactly what you want from your future neighborhood, you should clearly separate it all into small chunks and explain everything to your real estate agent.  Every neighborhood has its own character and personality, so therefore you have to find the one that gets the closest to your heart.

Step 3 - Check out the amenities

Where do you mostly enjoy spending your spare time?  Pubs, nightclubs or libraries?  Find out what the neighborhood has to offer you.  Does it match your list of wishes?  Before you move, make sure the neighborhood has everything you need to fit your daily habits.  This will have a great impact on your lifestyle too!  Find the neighborhood that is just right for you and don't hurry.

Step 4 - See what transportation options you have

This too should influence your decision when choosing your neighborhood.  Either that you prefer to walk to the market, or that you enjoy the comfort of your own car, you need to decide what type of transportation you want to use on your daily basis.  See if the neighborhood you intend on making your home has what you require, irrespective if you choose a mass transport or a workable environment...

Step 5 - Are children part of the picture?

Do you have children or do you intend to have some in the near future?  Then, you should balance things wisely.  Take into account the proximity to schools or kindergarten and other places you'll need close to you.  It all has to meet your needs, or you'll get to hate the neighborhood at some point.  Too many obstacles and the loss of time will get to be frustrating at some point!

Step 6 - Verify the crime rate

Ask your Realtor about the crime rate in the neighborhood or do the research yourself.  A safe place for both you and your family is a must.  If you want to compromise on something, then this step is one of those you shouldn't.  Safety comes first!  Find your best match and think about it:  no neighborhood is good for whatever buyer!

Step 7 - Make sure you have parks nearby

Anyone would like to have a park near his house to disconnect from the daily routine.  Whether you want to walk the dog or just to have a romantic evening outside with your partner, it would be desirable to have a park nearby.  If you haven't seen one, then look for any sidewalks.  If the sidewalks are accessible, then there is a high probability you have parks nearby.  Hurray for you!

Step 8 - Search for things to do

Keep in mind that you'll probably need something to do in your spare time, something that should make you forget about problems and your daily routine.  And tourist attractions are one of those miraculous solutions.  Do you have that to visit?  Does your neighborhood have cultural value?  If yes, then you're a lucky person!  Moreover, take into account the vibe of the street and general ambiance of the neighborhood.  Have you found what you've been looking for?

Step 9 - Measure disturbing noise level

Train tracks, air traffic, buzzing streets or medical centers should be red flags for you if you want a quiet place to rest. Take a few moments and listen to the ‘voice’ of the neighborhood. Are you on the same track? If not, look for alternatives, if the first impression is not a good one, then the second one probably won’t be either.

Studies show that one of the most influencing factors in what concerns the dissatisfaction of freshly moved, neighbors is the poor quality of silence…

Step 10 – See some reviews

And finally, try to get as much information as possible. Go online, talk to your neighbors and ask your real estate agent spicy details about the environment. In short, do whatever possible to convince yourself, this is the place where you want to live for the following years.

Choosing your neighborhood is such a personal aspect. It stands as the environment where you’ll spend most of your time. See if this is the type of energy you want in your life: a hectic environment, a chilling one or one full of character?

Probably you’ll also have to think about your job location versus your house (some even say that the location of the house is equally important as the house itself), the access to shopping locations, or the quality of the recreation areas. Why? Because you’ll have to get a sense of how your life will be in this neighborhood; you need a comfortable daily life, that’s for sure! See why it should be appealing to you. These aspects will influence the quality of life you’ll have here!

Moreover, the outcome depends on how you evaluate the community and your dream house at first. As you narrow your search, every aspect should meet your demands – finding the right neighborhood will point out if your move was a success or a failure. All in all, stay away from a community with too many ‘For Sale’ signs and neighborhoods which made you a poor first-impression! Good luck!