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Homebuyer's Checklist
Homebuyer's Checklist | Moving In Shopping List | Unpacking Tips | Ask Our Team

3 Months Prior to Move
  • Study company relocation policy to see what expenses are covered and which vendors are approved
  • Check which moving expenses will be tax deductible
  • Find out about schools in your new city
  • Obtain information about your new city
  • Find a REALTOR to market your home
  • Estimate moving van costs
  • Find a REALTOR in your new city
2 Months Prior to Move
  • Estimate the amount you can spend on a house
  • Check out the different resources available for your mortgage
  • If you will need child care in your new location, start looking into this now
  • Choose the van line for your move
  • Update your address book of friends and relatives
  • Make a list of people you need to notify
  • Begin sorting out those items you do not plan to move
  • Plan a date for a garage sale
  • Choose a new house
  • Look into auto insurance in your new city
  • Arrange house financing and set tentative closing dates
  • Check school schedules and enrollment requirements
  • Obtain information from area religious institutions
  • Check how to obtain new driver's licenses, license plates
  • Contact an agent for new home and auto insurance
  • Select a new bank, establish accounts and safe deposit box
  • Plan how you will arrange furniture in your new residence and make a list of things you will need to buy
  • Obtain names, phone numbers and requirements (such as deposits) for utility companies
  • Arrange for transfer of school records
  • Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover and arrange storage, if needed
  • Sort belongings into those you will dispose of, take with you and ship with mover
  • For high value items you will be shipping, obtain an appraisal and gather receipts
  • Make your travel arrangements
1 Month Prior to Move
  • Hold your garage sale, give items to charity
  • Verify your schedules with real estate agents, landlords and arrange interim housing if needed
  • Reconfirm with your mover dates for packing, pickup and delivery
  • Send out change of address cards to post office, friends, relatives, magazines
  • Gather personal records from doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, schools, religious institutions
  • Notify current utilities-gas, phone, electric, water, cable TV-of disconnect dates and forwarding address
  • Contact new utilities to tell them when to commence service
  • Notify your credit card companies of change of address
  • Apply for new bank cards and local store charge accounts
  • Plan where to spend your last night in current city
  • Transfer bank accounts and safe deposit box
  • Notify your stock broker or investment counselor
  • Obtain veterinary records and licenses, get new tags if needed and arrange for pets' transportation
  • Drain oil and gas from your power equipment
  • Cancel deliveries and services, such as newspapers, diaper service and trash collection as of moving day
  • Arrange for someone to help watch children and pets on moving day
  • Order newspaper subscription for your new address
  • Defrost freezer. Get rid of perishable food you won't eat before moving
  • Give your plants a loving home
  • If you are driving, have your car serviced
  • Pack your luggage and anything you are taking with you
  • Use only those household items you absolutely need-everything else should be ready to go
  • Obtain traveler's checks for trip expenses and payment to movers
  • Before movers leave, check through the house including the attic to make sure nothing was missed
Moving Day and Beyond
  • Prepare for the movers by taking doors off hinges and making sure paths are clear
  • Be on hand to take delivery
  • Check each item off your inventory
  • Inspect your yard for any holes in the fence, etc. before letting the pets out
  • Test security and smoke alarms
  • Get local emergency numbers and post them
  • Recycle or store moving boxes
  • Get a professional to set up appliances like a gas dryer, range or refrigerator
  • Change locks on all doors
  • Set up cable or satellite service
  • Find the right cellular phone service
  • Get a local map and learn your way around
  • Send in claims for damages during the move
  • Submit moving expenses to your employer
  • Compile receipts of the move for tax purposes
  • Hang artwork
  • Go to the DMV for new plates and registration of your vehicles
  • Get a new propane tank for the grill and fuel for the gas powered tools
  • Check your home warranty coverage
  • Establish a file for all warranties
  • Keep a binder of all Real Estate documents
  • Enroll children in school
  • Buy new plants and flowers
  • Find a new veterinarian, doctor and dentist
  • Take road trips and learn about your state