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
Remember,
whether you are buying or selling a home, RE/MAX is the name that
delivers. We are the most recognized name in Real Estate because we
attract the most outstanding agents; seasoned pros who bring their
collected and collective wisdom and experience to bear on literally
thousands and thousands of deals each year in this country. You can
count on the fact that a RE/MAX agent will always go the distance
to help you buy smart, or sell smart.
Allan
Todd - Realtor
Remax Professionals Inc
