Saying good-bye
to one neighbourhood and discovering a new one is an exciting adventure.
But let's face it, at the end of your home-buying process you may
find yourself exhausted. After all, the other obligations in your
life have not paused.
What's more,
now there's another cost -- moving. Whether you hire professionals
or strong-arm friends into helping, be prepared for the cost of the
move. Here are some suggestions on how to reduce the cost of your
move, but let's first look at how to prepare for the big day.
You will have
noticed that your possessions expand to fill the space allotted. Guess
what, if you're moving into a larger home, you'll be gathering more
stuff, so start out right.
- Don't take
it all. Before you pack it all into boxes and cart it to a new location,
take a good look at everything and find out what you can live without.
This is a great time to have a garage sale and what doesn't sell;
you can give away to charity.
- Have all of
your change of address cards filled out months in advance. You'll
want to notify friends, family, businesses, organizations you're
a member of, etc. Have the cards ready to mail once the deal is
closed. Redecorate before the move. Sometimes it isn't possible,
but if you have the chance to work without the obstructions of furniture,
you'll find that you can get twice the work done in half the time.
- Put the utilities
in your name. Hydro, water, gas are the first companies to call.
But don't forget to coordinate your telephone and cable service.
Of course, you'll want to let the companies servicing your old home
know when to disconnect service there.
Get Packing
You'll want to ensure that each item you own is well packed to minimize
damage during travel. Whether you're moving around the corner, across
town or across the country, the moving process is always the same.
To Hire Movers
or Not to Hire Movers?
If you hire movers to pack for you, they'll descend on your home with
a crew of experienced packers who will seal, pad and itemize everything
you own in a day or two.
During the move,
you'll want to make sure you're insured while your belongings are
in transition. Many moving companies also offer additional insurance.
On moving day,
go through the house with the crew supervisor and have him take note
of any special instructions. If there are items you will need immediately
upon arriving in your new home (like a crib) make sure they put it
in the moving van last. The movers will also make note of the condition
of your goods on a master list. It is your responsibility to make
sure it's accurate.
After the van
is unloaded and your goods are unpacked, inspect everything and make
note of any damage. While movers do unpack, they don't put dishes
or linens away.
If you are undertaking
the packing process by yourself, it will take time. Pack well in advance,
and take note of what you can really live without. You'll have items
that need special attention and other items that need to be disassembled.
Label each box in detail and, if you know where it will go in your
new home, put the destination on the box.
- Pack
what you most need last!
- Label
each box carefully!
- Designate
a destination!
You'll also want
to pack a box of essentials. These are items you're likely to use
once you arrive in your new home. Include items like:
- toilet
paper
- soap
- toothbrushes
and toothpaste
- paper towels
- garbage
bags (a lot of them!)
- paper plates,
cups and plastic utensils
- can opener
- hammer,
screwdrivers, pliers
- a flashlight
- some light
bulbs
- snacks
and drinks
- a radio
© 2003 RE/MAX International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Courtesy of Allan Todd - 905-270-8840
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