Ready to Move

Moving day is perhaps one of the most exciting days of your life and certainly the happiest part of buying a new home. With a little attention to planning and organization, you'll soon be in your new house – ready to call it home.

In most cases, the day on which you take occupancy of your new house is spelled out in the sales agreement. Your agent will write your purchase agreement with a specific timeline in mind, reflecting both your needs and the sellers' ability to accommodate them. Often your possession date is the same day as your closing, unless the seller has a pre-existing issue around which to schedule the change-over. Either way, you're likely to have ample time to plan your move.

In preparing for your big day, consider the condition of the house you're buying and everything else going on in your life. Is it better to move everything right away in a single day? Or would it be better if you moved a few things over time until you've emptied your previous residence? Be sure to consider your existing mortgage or leasing obligation; you don't want to inconvenience others or end up paying unnecessary fees.

Here's our list of some important moving tips:

• Clear the clutter. If you've been stowing old furniture, clothes or dishes (or anything for that matter), now's the time to hold a garage sale or pitch those items in the trash. You'll save on moving costs and get a fresh start in your new home, too.
• Notify everyone. Be sure to tell everyone – from utility companies to magazine publishers to the U.S. Postal Service – of your upcoming move. Provide your new address and the effective date of your move, and be sure to have your mail forwarded from your old address.
• Pack wisely. Set aside important items you might need while in transition, such as prescriptions, your address book or laptop computer. Pack a "necessities" box that includes plastic cups, dishes and flatware as well as personal items. Take extra care when packing breakables and label those boxes as "FRAGILE."
• Lose-proof your belongings. Number all your boxes and write the contents of those boxes down on a list. Keep a copy of your reference list handy and give a copy to the movers.

One final thought on moving: Although you may be anxious to decorate right away, take the time to consider your options and carefully plan any major purchases after you've lived there awhile. Before you know it, the piles of boxes you brought with you on moving day will gradually give way to the surroundings you'll call home.