Moving Tips for Sellers

As you prepare to move, here are essential tips to ensure a smooth transition:

Before the Move:

1. Forward Your Mail
   Notify the post office of your forwarding address 2 to 4 weeks in advance.
2. Update Important Contacts
   Inform your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your address change.
3. Create a Notification List
   Make a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be informed of your move.
4. Arrange Utility Transfers
   Setup disconnection of utilities at your old home and connection at your new one. [Click here for WNY contacts.]
5. Cancel Subscriptions
   Don’t forget to cancel your newspaper delivery.
6. Check Insurance Coverage
   Review your insurance policy for coverage on items being moved; often, movers only cover what they pack.
7. Prepare Appliances
   Clean out and prep appliances for moving, if applicable.
8. Weigh Your Goods
   Note the weight of items being moved, as long-distance moves are often billed based on weight. Be cautious of movers who use excessive padding to inflate weight.
9. Coordinate with Your Condo or Co-op
   Check for any restrictions regarding elevator or exit use during your move.
10. Pack a “First Open” Box
    Include essentials like toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, a hammer, screwdriver, pencils, cups, plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

If You’re Moving Out of Town:

• Medical Records
  Obtain copies of medical and dental records, as well as prescriptions for your family and pets.
• Children’s School Records
  Collect copies of your children’s school records for transfer.
• Networking
  Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
• Pet Considerations
  Plan for special travel needs for your pets.
• Route Notification
  Inform a friend or relative of your travel route.
• Financial Preparedness
  Carry traveler’s checks or an ATM card for easy access to cash until you establish a new bank account.
• Safety Deposit Box
  Empty your safety deposit box.
• Plant Care
  Pack plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if moving in cold weather.

Items to Leave for the New Owners:

• Owner’s Manuals
  Provide manuals for any items left in the house.
• Warranties
  Include warranties for appliances and fixtures.
• Local Service Providers List
  Compile a list of reliable local service providers, such as dry cleaners and yard services.
• Garage Door Opener
  Don’t forget to leave the garage door opener.
• Extra Keys
  Provide extra sets of house keys.
• Security Information
  Share the code to the burglar alarm and the monitoring service’s phone number if it’s not being discontinued.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the National Association of REALTORS® © Copyright. All rights reserved. [REALTOR.org]