Moving Guide

This one is technically two parts, but they go hand in hand. You might think you don't have that much stuff, but it might surprise you just how much you've been able to fit into your current space. We recommend you:

• go online & download a couple packing checklists
  
• take inventory of all of your belongings
• do this room by room

Start fresh with less clutter in your new home. Once you've taken inventory of everything you currently have, you'll need to decide what you're keeping, and what it's time to say goodbye to. We recommend:

• You can join Facebook groups, especially "For Sale" and "Buy Nothing" groups
• Call donation centers and local organizations to see what they'll accept
• Have a yard sale with family and/or friends
• Take measurements of your new home layout to ensure the right furniture fit. This will help determine what you keep
  

As you determine what you're keeping vs what you're getting rid of, you'll quickly want to decide how you're going to move your items from the old place to your new home, and if you need long-term or short-term storage solutions. 

• Determine whether you need a full service mover who will pack for you, or simply people to lift the heavy items
• These services can book up quickly, so make sure you give them a few weeks' notice to book your date/time.  
• U-Haul rentals are also typically available with shorter notice, and offer a variety of vehicle sizes to choose from
• We recommend that you wait to move in until the day after closing, as official recording can occur late in the day

As your move-in date approaches, it's best to start packing up the non-essentials. Non-essential items could be:

• wall art and general decor
• out of season clothing and shoes
• items already in storage/garage areas
• items in any unused or rareful used rooms (think guest rooms)
• be sure to label all boxes and what rooms they came from

As you start packing, taking inventory of your belongings, getting quotes from movers, and receiving information about your new home, you will want to keep this organized. Whether this is a physical folder or in your email or shared drive, you will want to keep all your information in one spot. Common items you may want to track: 

• inventory and packing lists, with list of items to donate
• quotes and invoices from moving companies
• loan and insurance information
• list of companies to contact with your new address
• your moving budget, self-storage info
• New house plans/layouts, builder information, information/specs on your new home

Most places agree that within 2 weeks of your move-in date, you should start notifying places of your new address. You can formally change your address with USPS, and they give you an option to pick your mail forwarding date. This should only cost a little more than $1, so be wary of other companies charging $30+ for the same service. People to notify:

• family members and loved ones
• place of work, health/dental insurance companies
• credit card companies, other lenders, bank services
• Social Security (if you receive benefits), the DMV (driver's license, voter registration, passport, vehicle registration)
• subscription services and utility companies

Before moving day arrives, you will want to set up your professional services and utilities in advance. After you've set up your new address for mail forwarding you will want to:

• call PSE to set up electricity/gas at your new home and stop it at your current address
• You will do the same for water, sewage, garbage, internet, cable, telephones if you have it, or even security systems
• consult with the builder to make sure the start date is accurate
• make sure your new home insurance starts on the right day, and that your previous coverage ends

Right before moving day, hopefully you have all non-essential items packed and ready to go, and all that's left is your essentials. Moving day can be chaotic, and even with plenty of planning ahead, it may be hard to track down items. We recommend packing essentials you'll need for the next few days:

• suitcases or duffle bags full of clothes, shoes, toiletries, chargers, electronics, etc.  
• pack a cooler full of perishable foods you plan on transporting, and also containing water/juice and snacks for you throughout the day
• keep your medications, first-aid kits, and toolkit on hand
• have extra garbage bags, packing supplies, cleaning supplies, and towels/blankets
• cash (to tip moving services), and clear plastic baggies to label last minute pieces

Hopefully you've been cleaning along the way for move-in day, but as the day arrives, you will want to make sure you get up early to finish packing and cleaning last minute items. 

• If you're a renter, be sure to take photos of all rooms and the condition you left them in
• drop off your keys to your old place and turn off all lights
• take a photo of any utility meters
• do one final walk-through and check all closets/storage spaces
• double-check any cleaners' start and stop times