To paraphrase an old real estate saying –
the three most important factors for a stress-free move are: planning,
planning, and more planning. Plan your
move at least one month in advance. Set
up an expense log, and start lining up your suppliers – movers, storage
companies, delivery of new appliances or furniture. Don’t forget painters, carpet installers and
other services working on your new house prior to your move-in date.
Now is the time to minimize the number of
items you have to move. Discard unwanted
items, hold a garage sale, and collect boxes.
Notify friends, relatives, the post office, and companies you do
business with of your change of address.
Don’t forget about those companies you might contact only once a year,
such as life or car insurance companies.
Contact your real estate lawyer to confirm
who will be handling the changeover of various utilities and services. Typically, utilities such as power, gas,
water, etc. are handled by your lawyer as part of the final adjustments on the
sale’s closing. Other services, particularly
cable television, internet and telephone services, you’ll probably be
instructed to handle on your own. Try to
schedule utilities and service connections before you arrive at your new house
– and book your appointments as far out in advance as possible, especially if
you plan to move at month end, or you might find yourself on a waiting list.
Make a floor plan of the new house and plan
where everything will go. Don’t guess -
take measurements of room dimensions and major furniture items and then lay
everything out. You don’t want pay
movers an hourly rate to move Grandma’s piano four times because it just
doesn’t fit! When you’re packing, label boxes clearly by contents and by room,
and on moving day, provide movers with a copy of your floor plan so they’ll
know exactly where to put the boxes for ‘Johnny’s bedroom’. Remember to provide plastic sheets to protect
carpets.
Prepare a list of the items you wish to
move personally such as jewelry and precious breakables. Pack your pillows, a set of sheets and
blankets, along with your nightclothes, a towel and toiletries to take with you
in your car. Then at the end of a long and tiring day, you can get ready for
bed without having to sort through 50 boxes.
You might also pack a lunch complete with utensils, napkins, condiments,
(and perhaps a wine opener?) to enjoy your first meal in your home as a picnic
on the living room floor. And if you
like a cup of coffee in the morning, you’ll want to pack the coffee maker and
all the fixings to take in your car as well.
These little things can add up to a
pleasant adventure on moving day, rather than an exercise in frustration for
you and your family. Ask your Coldwell
Banker real estate representative for more advice about hassle-free moves. They’ve been through this with hundreds of
customers, so they’re the experts!
I am the GUY that will make a difference!
I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.
Karen Guy, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
http://www.connectwithkaren.com/
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