Once your move is finished, you can start the process of settling in. But first, here are some ways to make your move an easy one.

One month before your move:

Fill out a change of address form and don't forget to fill out an IRS change of address, also.  Peggy Elias will provide change of address cards for sending to family and friends to be mailed out after close of escrow. Have the cards completed in advance and you will be less likely to forget to tell someone about your move.

Check with different moving companies, check with the better business bureau for complaints, check rates and make arrangements to have a moving truck or a rental truck. Be especially careful not to underestimate the amount of furniture and boxes you will need to move.

Have your travel arrangement made well in advance, including hotels, car rentals and checking for pets, if necessary. When moving to Arizona you will want to be sure your pet has plenty of water to drink and a way to stay cool during the summer travel months. You may want to take frequent walking breaks for your pet and knowing where you will be stopping in advance will save you from having on the road "pet emergencies".

Be sure to get your files from doctors, dentists, eye doctors and the family vet to take with you to your new home. If you need to transfer prescriptions have that information ready, also.

Have a bank account opened in advance to allow for deposits and ready access to money during your transition time. It will save having to wait on out of state checks. Close out your old account once you have cleared all the checks.

Be sure you inventory all your furniture, jewelry and other belongings. Take photographs in case of damage or loss. You will be glad you did, if you need to file an insurance claim later. Be sure to have a list of serial numbers of your computers, major appliances, tvs and other electronic equipment. Tools should be marked for identification.

Checked for items you have borrowed from the neighbors and be sure and return them.

Now is also a great time to donate items or have a large yard sale to get rid of any clutter you may have accumulated.

 Sell, donate or throw away possessions you don't want before you get your estimate for a moving truck. Be sure and plan any yard sales several weeks in advance, in case of rainy days. Yard sales can be a lot of work and need to be completed before you are on top of your move date. It's best to have your yard sale before you place your home on the market. I clean uncluttered home shows best to prespective buyers.

You can find more information on getting your home ready to sell with my brochure "Getting Your Home Ready for a Grand Slam". Inside you will find ideas for every room in your home.

1-2 weeks before you move:

Switch utility services to the new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscriptions, telephone and cable companies of your move. Check with your realtor for phone numbers for the service companies for your new home.

Arrange to have help on moving day.

Be sure your pets are to be kept in a quiet location so that you do not have a delay trying to find where the cat or dog ran off to. Pets can be especially sensitive and need a quiet place away from all the hustle of the move. Be sure you have your pet carriers set aside so they do not get accidentially packed and shipped to your new home.

Confirm all your travel arrangements.

Collect all valuables, make copies of important documents before the move so you will be sure to have them at your new address.

Check with your insurance company to be sure you are covered during the moving process.

Defrost your refrigerator and freezer.

Make sure to leave an travel itinerary with relatives or friends who may want to reach you.

Now is the time to gather all the packing materials together including a marker for labeling all the boxes.

Be sure to put together a first day box of important items to have with you to use upon arrival. Such things as toothpaste, shampoo, towels, sheets, blankets, tissues, paper towels, plastic utensils, paper plates and cups, screw driver, hammer, can opener and other essentials. Be sure to include any prescription medications you may need.  

1. Be sure sure and measure all the openings in your new home so that you have enough clearance for moving items, be sure to include the stairways.
2. Arrange to have your home cleaned or have new paint and carpet done before you move in the furniture.
3. Change the door locks, get the code and company information for the security system if there is one.
4. Keep a list of all your important numbers for the phone, utility company and water company in case there is a delay in getting your services turned on.
5. Save your receipts, consult your tax advisors to see if any of your moving expenses are tax deductible.

 Leave your plants as one of the last things to pack to avoid being packed for too long and mark the box as one of the first things to open upon moving.

Plants can suffer in a moving van with extreme temperatures both hot and cold. Some movers may not be willing to move plants due to these extremes especially when moving a long distance. You may find you need to sell or give away your plants; unless you want to move them yourself. 

Moving them in the car is the best solution but plants can take up a lot of space or placing them in the truck may be exposing them to the same temperature extremes. If the temperature is extremely warm place damp newspaper around the plants. Put a plastic bag in the bottom of the box to avoid leakage if the plants are wet. You may want to pack smaller plants in a dishbox that has adjustable compartments.

If you are moving taller plants a wardrobe box works well, but be sure to put newspaper around to prevent the pots from hitting each other. Serveral large plants may be packed together, in this manner. You may want to loosely wrap the leaves to avoid breakage.

Make sure you have breathing holes in the sides of your plant boxes, and they are well marked for immediate removal upon arrival.

Be sure to park in the shade or sun depending on the temperature to help preserve your plants. If they look wilty you may need to give them some water on the road, if you have a long trip to your new home.

When unpacking your plants try unpacking from the bottom to avoid breaking leaves and branches. Give them a place with indirect light away from the furniture moving when you arrive so that they can get accustomed to their new home.

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