CAMPBELL, Calif., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For millions of
Americans, summer is the best time to move – the kids are out of
school, the weather is nice, and the home buying season is at its
peak. In fact, 11 to 13 percent of all moves occur during summer
months as compared to eight percent or less during the other months
of the year(1).
To help the 19 million American households that move each
year(2), Moving.com, a leading online destination for
moving-related resources operated by Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE),
today released a helpful summer moving timeline with useful tips on
how home buyers and sellers can quickly get organized and easily
prepared for a seamless transition to their next home.
"Moving can be a very stressful and chaotic experience for a lot
of people, especially if you're moving a family or if you're a new
homeowner," said Tricia Smith, vice
president at Move, Inc., operator of Moving.com. "At
Moving.com, we understand the ins and outs of how to plan for
moving day. By providing resources that shape complex
decisions like finding licensed movers easily, and by connecting
consumers with a wide range of experts and helpful tips, we hope to
make the process of moving as stress-free as possible."
Below are tips and advice for homebuyers, sellers, and renters
planning a move this summer.
MOVING TIMELINE AND TIPS FOR 2010 SUMMER MOVES
4 weeks from move date: Get organized and start notifying
the right people and companies that you'll be moving soon and give
them a date to forward or terminate service. Start looking
for licensed and professional moving companies, moving guides and
relevant coupons.
Tip: If using a
professional mover, get quotes from
multiple moving companies to get the best deal that is right for
you and your needs. Ask
plenty of questions like
whether or not they give binding quotes and what kind of insurance
is included. Be sure to talk with them about the different
options available with full-service moves such as packing and
unpacking services and providing boxes and packing
supplies.
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Tip: Important documents such as your child's
school
records may need to be accessible
during your transition. Make sure to put these items aside and make
copies of any records for yourself, in case you forget what box
they're packed in.
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Tip: Use the
free Moving.com Address Changer service to save time and to ensure you've covered all
the ground necessary to better ensure your move is seamless. Fill
out change of address forms for creditors, doctors and personal
providers. Schedule account closings for trash removal,
gardeners, pest control, etc., and transfer utilities or other services that'll go with you.
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3 weeks from move date: Once you've selected a mover,
begin by taking inventory of your belongings and their worth and
decide what will be coming with you to your next home.
Tip: Start cleaning out closets, drawers and storage
areas of your home and divide things into categories: "pack,"
"recycle" and "give to friend." You can always have a garage sale or donate old items to charity. This will make packing day a lot easier and you may
reduce the total weight you'll be paying for to move.
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Tip: If you're moving yourself or contracting for a self-service move, pack the
items you know you won't need until 30 days after the move.
It will feel great to get started early.
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Tip: If possible, take pictures of rooms and areas
inside the home or apartment you'll be moving into so you can start
thinking about placement of furniture, artwork and other items.
This will help save time, headaches…and money…on moving
day.
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2 weeks from move date: If you choose not to take
advantage of full service mover packing services, or are planning
to do it yourself and rent a truck, start packing things into
boxes. Figure out the logistics of the move, travel plans and if
other specialized plans need to be made.
Tip: If you are using a professional mover find out
what items are on their "non-allowables"
list and discard those items or find a way to transport them
separately.
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Tip: Instead of stacking plates, pack them vertically; they will travel safer this
way.
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Tip: If you are moving long distance,
remember travel arrangements for your pets. There are pet-exclusive airlines
available such as Pet Airways but
regular airlines have travel options for pets as well.
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Tip: If you have young children, you may want to
make childcare arrangements so you can be 100% focused on moving
day and your little ones remain safe and busy with fun
activities.
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Tip: Schedule "move out" cleaning service, carpet
cleaners and heavy appliance disposal if necessary for once you'll
be out of the home you're vacating. Even if you're selling
your current home, it's a nice welcome for the buyers to move into
a clean and tidy home.
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1 week from move date: Set aside valuable items and keep
those with you. Clean before moving and leave your house or
apartment as clean as it was when you moved in.
Tip: Make sure the
details for paying the moving company are taken care of. Some
will require money orders or cashier's checks upon delivery; know
their policy in advance to avoid stress on
moving day.
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Tip: Start eating all the frozen foods you have, or
give them to a neighbor or friend. This way you won't have to
throw them away on moving day, or worry about packing an ice
chest.
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Tip: Also think
about necessities for managing moving day like confining your pets and anticipating the amount
of time you will need.
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Tip: Place necessities such as toiletries, toilet
paper, rags, "must-have" cooking supplies and organize them in
boxes marked "open first" so it's easy to find the initial items
you'll want handy on those first few days of being in your next
home. Don't forget the flashlight!
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Tip: If possible, take one last tour of the new
location and identify water and gas shut off locations, as well as
the electrical breaker box just in case something happens in the
first few days so you're prepared. Might be smart to drop off a
fresh box of light bulbs too!
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Moving day and beyond: Take one last walk through and
make sure nothing has been forgotten or overlooked. Also,
make sure all doors and windows are locked and switches turned off,
then you are on your way to your new house or apartment.
Tip: Go back to the photos you took when you began
to pack up. Now you can show the movers or those helping you
unpack exactly where everything goes with photos.
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Tip: Unpack one room at
a time according to basic needs starting with the kitchen and at
least one bathroom…and don't forget to make a bed as early in the
day as possible if you'll be sleeping in your home that evening!
Remember, you don't have to unpack everything in one day, or
even in one week.
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Tip: After you've settled in a bit,
introduce
yourself to some neighbors, ask
for advice on the best places to eat, grocery shop, etc. This way
you will feel like part of the community and can get some great
local tips.
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ABOUT MOVE, INC.
Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE) is the leader in online real estate
with 14.7 million(3) monthly visitors to its online network of
websites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for
information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and
garden and home finance; REALTOR.com®, the official website of the
National Association of REALTORS®; Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet;
and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.
(1) The American Moving and Storage Association
(2) U.S. Census
(3) comScore Media Metrix, April
2010
SOURCE Move, Inc.