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/

Selling Your Home? Better Make Sure It’s Clean Before Moving Out!

Let’s face it: Now that you’ve found a buyer and scheduled the closing, you’re ready to be done with your old home. A clean break! The last thing you want to do is spend the weekend deep cleaning the place for someone else to enjoy. Besides, would it even matter?

Actually, yes, it does matter.

We feel for you—the temptation to skip out on those last few cleaning chores is strong. But don’t give in. How dirty you leave your home isn’t just about etiquette—it could also cause problems with the sale of your home.

While buyers may forgive you if you forget to sweep under the stove, more serious offenses can have serious consequences. Check your contract: Some sellers may stipulate that the place be spotless by the time they move in. If you agree to this (verbally or in writing) and don’t live up to your end of the bargain, you could be at risk for a lawsuit.

So if you leave a pile of filth, the new owner could delay closing—or even bail on the sale altogether.

“In a rare case I had someone walk away from the sale because of the condition of the home at the final walk-through,” says Darbi McGlone, a Realtor® in Baton Rouge, LA.

Odds are your buyer will be incredibly stressed out by closing day, and you don’t want to make matters any worse.

“It could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” McGlone says.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s bust out the yellow rubber gloves and get to work.

Work from the top down

When it comes to cleaning, starting early is easiest.

“I recommend doing a good scrubbing and decluttering before putting the house on the market—it can be very stressful to do at the last minute,” says Wendy Wrzos, certified interior redesign specialist and founder of The Blue Giraffe, a home staging and redesign company in New Jersey.

But if you didn’t start early, don’t panic. If you attack the job with a plan, it’ll get done faster. Try to clean room by room, working from the top down.

Dust the ceiling fans, wipe down the walls, and then sweep, vacuum, or mop. Clean the refrigerator (if it’s staying behind), and give a once-over to the oven and stove—including the drip pans. Check the air vents for filth or mold—and if you spot any, call in a professional. This won’t be a standard broom cleaning.

Once you’re done with one space, move on to the next. And don’t forget the details.

“Light fixtures are rarely cleaned,” McGlone says. “Wiping down cabinets and drawers inside and out would be nice also—not many sellers ever do it.​”

Take a deep breath

Cleanliness isn’t the only thing you have to worry about before the final walk-through.

“The first thing buyers always notice when they walk inside is if your home has any less-than-appealing smells, whether it is cat litter, a wet dog, garbage, or the fish you cooked two nights ago for dinner,” Wrzos says.

Reality check: Any strange odors—even if temporary—will make the buyers think the home is dirty. (And they may be right.)

Even if you’ve already moved out, go back into the home for a quick sniff before the walk-through. Bring a friend who might not be as nose-blind to your old home as you are, and ask for an honest opinion.

Air fresheners can minimize lingering odors, of course, but you can also try these innovative tips and tricks. When all else fails, call in a deodorization pro. Yes, they exist.

Take everything with you

Many sellers leave behind personal items, because either they think the new owner may get use out of them or they just don’t want to deal with them. But here’s the thing: “No one wants your old shower curtain and matching trash can,” McGlone says.

Unless the buyer specifically asked for something, take everything with you. Double-check attics, basements, storage closets, and the garage for anything you might have missed.

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/how-clean-should-sellers-leave-a-home-before-moving-out/

9 Tips for Moving With Pets

Moving with pets is a challenge for everyone who loves their furry friends. So United Mayflower Container Services has nine pet-friendly move tips:

1. Make sure your pet is properly identified with your name and contact information.

2. Get your pet’s inoculations up-to-date and obtain verification and a health certificate from your vet. Your state, city, boarder or airline will probably need this information.

3. Minimize the disruption in your pet’s routine as much as possible.

4. Make your pet feel comfortable by putting them in a familiar crate or taking them to a boarder or neighbor’s when realtors, potential buyers or inspectors come around.

5. Contact the state veterinarian in your new home state to learn about the laws concerning entry of pets and specific pet regulations.

6. Get in touch with your new city’s town hall about license fees, leash laws, fences and other pet restrictions.

7. Contact the airline for rules and regulations, transportation charges and carrier requirements if you are moving your pet by airplane.

8. Create a pet travel kit with food, water, collapsible dishes, favorite toys and treats.

9. Use your pet’s favorite food, dishes, bed, blanket and toys at the new home so there is a sense of familiarity.

Reposted from:  http://www.moving.com/tips/9-tips-for-moving-with-pets/