| Actually, you've probably been
preparing for this moment for several weeks. Your home is probably
stacked with boxes ready to move. We'll be glad to fix you up with a
tape gun and box tape if you are packing yourself. Let your friends know
well in advance when you are planning to move if you want them to help.
Don't keep it a secret. We've heard that bribery in the form of pizza
and beer (afterwards) is a great incentive to get a crew together. You
should have also made a reservation for the truck or trailer, furniture
pads and hand truck that you plan to use well before the date you plan
to move.
If you're planning to hire a moving
company, please make sure that you do your homework. The moving industry
has been very effective in making sure that the deck is loaded in their
favor. Once they get your belongings and furniture on their van they can
become almost impossible to deal with and may even insist upon cash
before unloading. Make sure that everything you agree to is in writing!
Verbal promises and quotes are useless. Check with the Consumer
Protection and Better Business Bureau people for problems others have
encountered. And make sure that when you solicit moving company bids
that you ask for their Annual Performance Report.
Now you will need to move the core
utilities into your name if you haven't already done so. This includes
electric, phone, gas or propane, cable TV, water, sewer, and trash
removal. Much of this can be scheduled to happen by phone before
closing. We'll help to identify who your new providers are and what
numbers you need to call.
If you're moving within their territory,
the cable company is generally glad to have you move any converters that
you may already have. And if your move is from another city, make sure
that you bring your old phone books along with you. They can come in
very handy if you need to address issues with your old home or locate
friends.
If the move changes schools for your
children, you'll need to enroll them in the new schools. This is
generally done by picking up an application at the new school. Again
we'll do everything that we can to make this as smooth and easy as
possible for you.
You'll need to get new checks from your
bank and change your Driver's License. You have the option of getting a
card from DMV showing your new address, marking your old license, or
best yet, getting a new license issued although this costs money. With
your license address matching your checks life is easier that constantly
explaining why everything doesn't match.
The Post Office is where much of the rest
of the activity takes place. You will need to file a change of address.
They can also provide you with a Voter Registration Address Change form
which takes care of getting you re-registered. (You were registered
before weren't you?) Watch your mail for the yellow labels that indicate
who still needs to be notified of your new address and either give them
a call or send them a Change of Address Card to correct their records.
Settling In - It's
Time To Enjoy Your New Home
I doubt very much whether you need any help
here - life always presents us with more things to do than we will ever
have time to do, so pick the best and have fun!
If you have purchased new construction, we
will be pleased to share with you the names the fine craftspeople and
suppliers that our other clients and ourselves have used in the past for
blinds, window treatments, landscaping and appliances.
The last few details are more in the way of
organization. Put all of the documents associated with the purchase of
your new home in a secure place. You'll need to refer to them for tax
purposes. Yes, they did change the law on taxing the proceeds of the
sale of a home, but they can just as easily change it back. The
information is also necessary in calculating your net worth and other
fun enterprises. Put the deed, insurance policy and your mortgage papers
in a Safe Deposit Box, keeping working copies in a easily accessible
location.
Live long and prosper as they say...
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Guide Library |
