Tips for Home Buyers – Use a Moving Checklist
Tips for Home Buyers for a Smooth Transition
Are you a new home buyer trying to transition smoothly from your previous property or home to the new home of your dreams? As I’m sure you’ve figured out, there are a lot of details to consider and stay on top of. One of our best tips for home buyers in the home buying process is to create checklists. Staying organized is key and checklists help. From donating what you don’t need, to making travel arrangements and registering your children in a new school… there are a lot of things that need to be done. Use this checklist to stay on top of moving logistics, transportation and finances.
Find a downloadable version of the checklist below at this link.
Moving 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
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
____ 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
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 home
3 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