Important Things to Remember When Moving
If you found yourself reading this, you’re probably moving. Before you do, here are some important things to remember when moving.
Changing your Address
When you move, you are responsible for handling the change of your address on all of your accounts and documentation. The first thing to do is to let the U.S. Postal Service know. You can fill out a change of address form online, here. It can be changed at the nearest USPS office as well. Once completed, they will forward all mail sent to your previous address to your new home. Be sure to include all household members’ names on the change of address form so all mail will be forwarded.
In addition to forwarding mail, be sure to change the address directly on your accounts. The following people and institutions should be notified of your move:
- Financial institutions, including banks and credit card companies
- Doctors and dentists
- Utilities such as gas, telephone, and electric
- Magazines and newspapers
- Clubs and associations
- Your employer and government offices
- Family and friends
Don’t forget to also change address labels, luggage, dog tags, and business cards.
Packing
Moving day is a big day! Whether you are using a professional moving company, your friends, or just moving by yourself, you will want everything packed and organized before the day arrives. Here are a few things you can do to make moving day go smoother:
First, go through and de-clutter. No use moving what you don’t need. Determine what furniture will not fit the aesthetic of the new house or not fit physically. Pack up those old clothes and donate them. Or a garage sale might offset the cost of the move. Need help determining what to keep and what to let go, check out the book “Spark Joy,” by Marie Kondo.
When packing boxes consider the following tips:
- Gotta Have It Box – this is the last box packed, first box opened. It should include the last things you will need at the old house and first things you need at the new house.
- Coffee
- Change of clothes
- Towels
- Toiletries, including toilet paper, toothpaste/toothbrush
- Scissors – how are you going to open that first box?
- Kitchen basics – a few cups, plates, and forks. The friends helping you move will get thirsty
- Tools – a screwdriver or drill and a hammer
- Bedding – moving is tiring and you’ll be happy if you set up your bed first
- Label all your boxes – Consider a color-coded system with various tape colors on the corners (not the top) of boxes to group by room. For the perfectionist, use a number system to list the contents of each box.
- Use household items as filler or padding. Towels, sheets, and blankets can be used to wrap fragile items to protect them.
- Use foam plates as padding between your plates, paper towels between bowls, and plastic grocery bags to wrap glassware.
- Cut up pool noodles to protect the edges of TVs and artwork.
- Utilize your suitcases, especially for more fragile items like glass and candles
- OUR FAVORITE – Use trash bags to wrap hanging clothes and tie the hangers together. Not only does this protect the clothes, it makes them easier to transport. PLEASE NOTE: Avoid using scented trash bags, unless you want that lavender trash bag scent on all your clothes.
If you have children or pets, find a place they can go during the move so that you don’t have to worry about keeping them entertained or in one place.
If you are using movers, find out what they will not move. Often, professional moving companies will not move money, important documents, pets, medicine, etc. for liability reasons. Figure out what items you will have to move yourself, and make plans accordingly.
Get insurance. You will want to make sure your items are protected regardless of whether or not you use movers or move the items yourself.
Utilities
Before you move into your new home, you will want to make sure that you have transferred your utilities. Each utility company has rules regarding transferring service. Contact customer service for each utility company two weeks before you move to find out their process for transferring service. Arrange the utilities to turn on service at the new house the day before you plan to move. That way, you will not show up at your new house and realize you don’t have electricity or water.
Moving can be daunting, so start the process sooner rather than later. If you have any friends thinking about moving, send them this article and have them get pre-qualified to purchase a new home with E5 Home Loans. We provide fast, reliable, 5-star service. And E5 shops loan products and rates across many lenders and we don’t charge a bunch of crazy fees. Contact E5 Home Loans with questions or to see what loan products best fit your situation.