#1--Get a composition book for your move. Write everything down in that one place!
#2--Schedule the disconnect for your current utilities on the day after your move so that you have lights & phone during your move out. Include Electricity, Gas, Phone, Cable/Satellite, Internet, Water/Trash. Remember, if your home will remain on the market after your move, leave power/gas/water on in the home. Remember to collect any deposits you may have had when your original service was connected.
#3-- Schedule Your New Utilities. The easiest way is to go to: www.rmdfw.com (Our office website) and look at the bottom of the home page for the light bulb-"Connect your utilities here". Also, get your new phone number & email as soon as possible.
#4-- Consider a mover, at least to help with the larger items. Locally we recommend LITTLE GUYS MOVERS (972)219-4990 OR (940)566-0751. Get several quotes for a long distance move. Costs are based on travel distance, weight of goods and any special needs. You can expect to pay &1500-$2000 extra for packing/unpacking services. Moving.org quotes average costs for moves plus packing: 600 miles for a 2 bedroom apartment between $3700-$4300 and for a 9 room home plus garage $7200-$9000. 2600 miles from coast to coast shows an average cost for a 2 bedroom apartment of $5500-$6400 and for a 9 room home plus garage $11,000-$13,000. Be sure whomever you work with is bonded & insured.
#5--Change your address with your creditors, bank, magazines, schools, church, friends & family.
#6-- Cancel your current homeowners insurance at least 24 hours after you are scheduled to close on the sale of your home. Be sure you have renter's insurance or new homeowners insurance for your new residence. Discuss in detail with your agent so that you are never without coverage.
#7--Plan to get rid of "junk". In Flower Mound, you can call (972)422-2341 to schedule an extra or bulky item pickup.
#8-- Do you want to have your old or new home cleaned professionally? It is usually reasonably priced and can save hours of your time. We recommend Cox Cleaning (972)221-4295 or Dee's Domestics (972)492-5554.
#9--Make a plan for your pets. Be sure they have food & water as needed...wherever they may be!
#10-- Keep important items with you: bank account information, drivers' liscenses, important phone numbers, moving composition book, etc.
#11--Leave Garage door openers, extra keys, appliance manuals, homeowner association info...any important info for your buyers in a drawer in the kitchen once the movers are gone. PLEASE BE SURE THAT THE KEY FOR THE GAS STARTER, GARAGE DOOR OPENERS, ETC. DO NOT GET PACKED AND MOVED!!
#12-- Pack bedding & towels for easy access. Pack one box of basic kitchen items like cups, plates, silverware, etc. for easy access. Once you can sleep, shower & have a bite to eat in your new place, you can relax and unpack on your own schedule.
#13--Write good, detailed descriptions of contents on all your boxes! Consider using different colors of markers/labels for each room.
#14-- Plan some surprise, easy entertainment for children. Depending on age, consider invisible ink books; maze books; travel versions of Yahtzee, etc.; new game for game boy, etc. Realize you will need some time to organize/pack/unpack & you need to plan for them to be occupied appropriately. Remember it is a big deal for them, too and they may be more demanding/unsettled than you expect.
C
