So you’re ready to move! Preparation is the key to any move. Below are a few tips and checklists that can make the process of moving easier.
16 TIPS FOR AN (ALMOST) STRESS-FREE MOVING DAY by Marjorie Cohen Moving day is never simple, but it can be more bearable. To figure out how to make the big move as stress-free as possible, we asked five NYC moving professionals for their tips. Don’t bring anything you don’t need: “If you need to sell or give away any of your things, have a good-bye party and put post-it notes on the things that the guests can take home with them. It’s a nice way to say good-bye and a lot better than posting things on Craigslist and having to deal with strangers,” says Kelly Eidson of moveline.com. Do all of your packing/labeling before moving day. There are so many details you need to handle on moving day, don’t make it worse by having to rush to do these things you know you’ll have to do, explains Matt Schwartzberg of A-1 First Class Moving. Make yourself a survival kit for moving day. Sharone Ben-Harosh of “Unpakt” and “Flatrate Moving” suggests packing a baggie with things you’ll need on that day and possibly the next — toothbrush and toothpaste, snacks, change of clothes, medication, contact lens supplies, etc. Tell your neighbors you are moving. This way they can avoid the elevators and/or use the stairs on that day, staying out of the movers’ way, says Phil Liu of citymove.com. (Liu himself has moved seven times in the last 10 years.) Try to make sure that no one else is moving in or out on the same day as you are. This suggestion, from Liu, comes from the fact that sharing elevators and hallways slows everything down and increases the risk of losing stuff. Have a copy of your mover’s certificate of insurance handy. Do this even if you already submitted it to the managing agent or the super of your new building, says Liu. It’ll help you avoid any clashes with them. Have lots of bottles of water for your movers. Liu also suggests offering the movers some snacks like candy bars or chips to keep their energy up and make sure that the vibe between you and them is positive. Make sure all your electronic devices are fully charged—especially your cell phone. Don’t pack your chargers away, have them with you in case things take longer than expected. Buy some touch-up paint and wall filler ahead of time. This way you can make quick repair for any minor damage caused by the movers on the way out. Have a broom and dustpan handy so you can sweep up at the end of the loading phase, says Liu. Have some basic tools—screw driver, alan wrench, box cutter –for breaking down boxes, putting furniture together. Your mover should have it all but just in case, Liu says, this can be a big help. “Do a quick walk through with the movers before getting started. You’ll want to inspect your furniture to make sure the inventory sheet is correct.” says Ben-Harosh. Also, be sure that you and the movers agree the condition the furniture is in (damage, nicks, scratches, etc.), before anything is moved onto the truck. Keep some extra packing materials on hand. This way you don’t have to buy them from the mover at the last-minute when you’ve lost all negotiating juice, says Jack Frost of Excellent Quality Movers. Keep pets/kids away from the movers. In fact, it’s better to have your kids out of the apartment on moving day, says Schwartzberg. Let them come in to an unpacked house and a set-up their new room later on. You need to be totally and completely available to the movers during each step of the process, no distractions. Consider spreading the move out over two days. If your move is local and the home you’re moving from is large, it would be great to move the kitchen, living room and dining room one day and the bedrooms and other spaces the next, Schwartzberg says. Choose your “helpers” carefully. It’s tempting to ask friends and family for help, but don’t overdo it. Recruit volunteers who know their way around your place so you won’t have to waste time answering their questions, says Eidson. Learn as much about the place you are moving to as you can. Often the most stressful part of the move is at the “unknown” destination. Ask the super about moving-in rules, and know the dimensions of the door openings so that your favorite sofa makes it into your next home, says Eidson. Other Tips
You should start collecting the following materials: * Boxes of all sizes
* Plastic bags
* Non-shredded newspapers
* Packing tape
* Markers
* Bubble wrap
* Tissues paper Packing 101—A few guidelines * Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first
* Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
* When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier
* Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns
* Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
* Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
* Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.
* Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objects
* Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
* Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furniture
* If you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys On moving day… Fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days’ worth of clothing, food and other essentials you’ll need prior to arriving at your new home and prior to unpacking.
We find that many families use a change of residence as an opportunity to dispose of many outgrown and no-longer-wanted items. It beats taking the items with you and can even put several hundred dollars in your pocket toward buying furnishings for your new home. As Realtors®, we are expected to be wise in all matters relating to a change of residence. Even though garage sales are far from our primary field of expertise, allow us to pass on the best advice we have picked up over the years. Planning
Allow plenty of time – three to four weeks – to prepare. Choose a date that will not conflict with holidays or other events that might lure prospective customers away. More people are likely to show up on weekends than weekdays. Your sale is likely to attract more customers if you join together with neighbors in a larger effort with more merchandise – some homeowner groups sponsor neighborhood sales that are proving popular. What to Sell
Practical household goods, bicycles, children’s toys and clothes, sports equipment and garden tools are popular. Adult clothing has less appeal – price accordingly. All items should be clean, polished and in good repair. Display
Merchandise your items attractively in neat, clean surroundings. Paper tablecloths offer a pretty setting for glass and ornamental items. Cluster things in categories. Place more desirable items toward the back so browsers can notice other merchandise on their way to the most popular items. Have a 25-cent miscellaneous table for young shoppers. Clothes should be sized accurately and hung on a temporary rack. Logistics
Locate your appliance table near an outlet so customers may try before they buy. Set aside adequate parking and a place to load large items. Have plenty of bags and boxes on hand for packing and newspapers for wrapping glass items. Ideally, a place for trying on clothing should be provided. Promotion
Place a classified ad in the local papers – include three or four of the more tantalizing items for sale, directions and other pertinent details (you may or may not want to include your phone number). Take advantage of free publicity provided by bulletin boards in grocery stores and other public places. Provide directional signs to your property using an indelible pen. If your house is listed for sale, have your Realtor® hold an open house on the same day, thus increasing traffic for both the house and the sale. Pricing
Visit other sales to get an idea on how to price things. Remember that garage sale shoppers are looking for deals, so be prepared to bargain and lower your prices. Really valuable items such as antiques should not be sold at a garage sale; they are not likely to bring the desired price from bargain hunters. Nothing is too worthless to be valuable to someone, so have a giveaway box for old magazines and other assorted odds and ends. Staging
Post a notice that all sales are final and payment must be in cash. Keep ample change in a cash box in a protected spot. Keep a record of sales, especially when there are several sellers. One recording method that is simple and efficient is to use small adhesive stickers to price items, then transfer the sticker to the name of the seller when the item is sold.
Complete change of address cards via the post office, or using online services, to include the following:
____ Banks
____ Charge cards
____ Religious organizations
____ Doctor/dentist
____ Relatives and friends
____ Income tax bureau/Social Security Administration
____ Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/stockbroker
____ Magazines
____ Post office
____ Schools
____ Clean your closets
____ Hold a moving or garage sale or donate items to charities
____ Choose a mover or decide to move yourself
____ Contact your mover to ask about insurance
* If this is your first apartment, it is important to keep in mind that you may have to go through a credit check or provide a security deposit. This can cause a delay in setup which is why it is a good idea to make arrangements in advance. Utilities you may have to setup: ____Electric/gas ____Water ____Internet ____Cable or satellite television ____Trash removal ____Mobile Services ____Telephone Line These items should be dealt with before moving day: ____Contacting your service providers and arranging for service at your old apartment to be shut off or to have it transferred to your new location. ____Find out what utilities you have to pay for – if you are unsure, talk to your landlord or property manager. ____Research utility providers in your new area to find out your options. Your new apartment may be able to give you information. If you cannot get a list, you can check out a site such as MoveUtilities.com ____Shop around to find the best rates for utilities. You may get a better deal if you bundle services such as phone, cable and Internet. ____Once you have picked a utility provider, contact the provider to setup a start date. Schedule it to start one to three days in advance of move in day. ____Schedule appointments with the companies that have to come out to your new apartment. Make sure you are available to be there. As you get closer to your moving date, refer back to this list to make sure that your services are ready for you. After service starts ____Once you move and start with your new utility providers, there are some things that you need to double check to get the best service. This should help you to save money and time when dealing with the utilities. ____Read the first few bills carefully. Make sure you are not being billed for something you didn’t request. ____If you are receiving electronic bills instead of paper, create online accounts to keep up with the bills. Do not forget to check them for accuracy. ____Consider setting up automatic billing with either a credit card or automatic bank account withdrawals. This prevents you paying the bills late and getting charged late fees.
Getting Ready to Move
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. This is a great time to carefully weed through your possessions and to dispose of any clothes, furniture and fixtures that you no longer want or need. Donate them to a charity, hold a garage sale – but if you don’t want them any more, don’t move them.Are you going to pack yourself or hire professionals? If you’re doing your own packing, following is a list of materials you’ll need. Moving companies and overnight mail businesses can furnish these, as well as specialized items including wardrobe boxes for clothing and heavy-duty boxes for china and other breakables. Liquor and computer stores also are good sources for sturdy boxes.
0Garage Sales
0Moving Checklist
8 Weeks Prior
____ Remove unnecessary items from your attic, storage shed, etc.
____ Use things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies
____ Start a possessions inventory
____ Solicit estimates from three moving companies
____ Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out how your policy will cover your move
____ Begin collecting all moving papers and receipts in a file folder
____ Arrange to transfer your children’s school records at least 6 weeks prior
____ Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information
____ Evaluate your possessions inventory: Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?
____ Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
____ Locate healthcare professionals and hospitals in your new location.
4 Weeks Prior
____ Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed
____ Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation
____ Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable television and trash collection companies for service disconnection and connection at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings
____ Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance, security deposit with landlord and prepaid cable service
____ Notify your gardener and pool service, if applicable
____ Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home3 weeks prior
____ Make your travel plans, if applicable
____ Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in new locale, if necessary
____ Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address
____ Arrange for childcare on moving day
2 Weeks Prior
____ Arrange for special transport for your pets and plants
____ Service your car for the trip
____ Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move
On Moving Day
____ Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in new city, or keep with you an ATM card
____ Carry jewelry and important documents yourself, or use registered mail
____ Plan for transporting of pets
____ Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty
____ Leave old keys, garage door openers and instruction manuals needed by new owner
At Your New Address
____ Obtain California-drawn certified checks or cashier’s checks necessary for closing real estate transaction (check with title company transaction coordinator for details)
____ Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
____ Check pilot light on stove, water heater and furnace
____ Ask mail delivery person for mail he/she may be holding for your arrival
____ Have new address recorded on driver’s license and car registration
____ Visit city offices and register for voting
____ Register children in school
0Utility Checklist
Utilities Pre-Move Setup Checklist* Contact the utility companies two weeks before your moving date to setup appointments. Many companies can start service with a few days’ notice but it is best to initiate the process earlier to make sure the details are in place.
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