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Moving requires extensive planning, teamwork and understanding. The experience does not have to be traumatic. It can be rewarding and meaningful. Here are some suggestions to help you organize for a smooth move. <br /><br /><strong>Plan Ahead</strong> <ul><li>Plan your travel itinerary. Make transportation and hotel reservations in advance. </li><li>Send change of address to: Post office (give forwarding address), charge accounts and credit cards, subscriptions (change notice requires several weeks), and friends and relatives. </li><li>Contact cable, electric, internet and telephone and propane companies in new location to arrange for immediate service. </li><li>Arrange insurance on the new home prior to the transfer of property. </li><li>Arrange for your present bank to establish transfers for new bank accounts. </li><li>Service appliances before moving. </li><li>Clean rugs and have them wrapped. </li><li>Discontinue deliveries, electricity, propane, telephone and internet, security services, bottled water, newspapers, etc. </li><li>Obtain copies or transfer your children’s school records. </li><li>Obtain records from doctors and dentists, including eyeglass prescriptions, dental X-rays, and vaccinations. </li><li>Cancel club memberships. </li><li>Transfer car title registration, if necessary, as well as driver’s license, and motor club membership. </li><li>Pay existing bills and cancel local charge accounts. </li><li>Check on personal items that may be at the photo shop, bank safety deposit box, neighbor’s house, on lay-a-way, at the dry cleaners or in the repair shop (e.g., shoes, jewelry, small appliances or clothing). </li><li>Arrange for transporting pets and obtain immunization records from the vet. </li><li>Return all library books and anything borrowed from friends. </li><li>Notify your religious community. </li><li>Carry some cash and traveler’s checks for quick, available funds. </li><li>Plan for special care and needs of infants and small children. </li><li>Arrange for transporting plants. </li><li>Service the car for the trip. </li><li>Review moving plans with your moving company representative, including insurance for packing and unpacking, arrival date, payment agreement, shipping papers, etc.</li></ul><strong>One Week Before Moving</strong> <ul><li>Clean and air out your stove. </li><li>Defrost refrigerator and freezer 24 hours before leaving. </li><li>Place charcoal or baking soda inside refrigerator and freezer to dispel odors. </li><li>Dispose of all open cans and jars that cannot be tightly sealed. </li><li>Remember to pack your telephone directory for future reference. </li></ul><strong>Survival Checklist </strong><br />Here are items you may need immediately upon arriving at your new home: <ul><strong>Cleaning</strong><br /><li>Soap powder </li><li>Kitchen cleanser </li><li>Dish towels </li><li>Paper towels </li><li>Dish cloth </li><li>Steel wool pads </li><li>Sponge </li><li>Window cleaner </li><li>Scrub brush </li><li>Mop </li><li>Broom <br /><br /><strong>Kitchen</strong> </li><li>Paper plates, cups, napkins </li><li>Plastic knives, forks, spoons </li><li>Plastic pitcher for drinks </li><li>Small saucepan </li><li>Serving spoons </li><li>Tea kettle<br /><br /><strong>Bathroom</strong></li><li>Facial tissue </li><li>Toilet tissue </li><li>Bath towel </li><li>Shower curtain </li><li>Face cloth </li><li>Bath soap </li><li>First aid kit </li><li>Pain medication and prescription medicine </li><li>Prescription medicine<br /><br /><strong>Miscellaneous</strong></li><li>Light bulbs </li><li>Flashlight </li><li>Hammer, screwdriver, pliers </li><li>Aluminum foil </li><li>Shelf paper </li><li>Trash bags </li><li>Twine </li><li>Newspaper<br /><br /><strong>Children</strong></li><li>Coloring books and crayons </li><li>Favorite toys </li><li>Reading materials </li><li>Puzzles </li><li>Small surprise gift <br /><strong> </strong></li><br /><br /><strong>Snacks</strong> <li>Easy-open cans of pudding </li><li>Sandwich spreads </li><li>Jars of cheese </li><li>Packages of crackers </li><li>Instant creamer, sugar, salt </li><li>Dry soup mix </li><li>Boxes of dry cereal, raisins </li><li>Instant coffee, tea, chocolate </li><li>Fresh fruit </li><li>Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with a friend or relative. </li><br /><br /><strong>On Your Moving Day</strong> <li>Carry all currency, jewelry, and personal papers (birth certificates, deeds, and documents). </li><li>Double check closets, drawers, and shelves to be sure they are empty. </li><li>Confirm hotel reservations. </li><li>Leave all old keys needed by the tenant or owner with your lawyer or Sales Associate. </li></ul>