It looks like escrow is ready to close and you will have the keys to your new home in your hands any day. What steps should you take to help make this transition smooth and free of worry? Here are several tips that will help with your move.

Moving Box Tips

First, you can elect to move yourself or to hire a moving company. This decision can be based on the distance of the move, the amount and size of items which need to be moved as well as your ability and free time to accomplish the move.

If you decide to do it yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind. In all likelihood, the floor plan of your new home will not match that of your former home. Label each box with the contents and also the room where it belongs. You can even number the destination rooms and put that number on the moving box. Also, mark any boxes that contain fragile items.

You can choose to defray the cost of purchasing new boxes and start looking for used boxes. With the amount of recycling these days, it is more and more difficult to find good cardboard boxes. Put the word out at your workplace. Ask fellow employees who have just moved if they have any boxes they want to get rid of. Ask at your local grocery store, market or any business which has a lot of inbound deliveries. And, obviously, start saving boxes as they come through your current home.

Ask Your REALTOR®

Your Realtor will be able to provide ample advice for helping you move. Realtors are an excellent local resource, and can most likely recommend all sorts of services. Your Realtor may have checklists for moving as well as personal resources in the new area where you are going. Some realties offer specialty relocation services if you are moving a large distance.

Tips for Renting a Moving Truck

Compare online quotes from several truck rental companies so you can get the best rate. Make sure that whichever company you choose has a good supply of moving blankets, boxes and packing tape available for you. Check on how the company charges for the rental, by mileage, days of rental, etc. Confirm their policy on return dates, times and locations. If you are moving a great distance, you want to make sure that you can return the truck easily to a nearby location.

Hiring a Professional Moving Company Any professional mover will provide you a free estimate. Obtaining several estimates is helpful in making a decision. To help this process, you will need to estimate the weight or cubic feet of what you need moved. Do some research to determine their policies and charges. Most movers are very professional and will take care of your belongings to the final destination. However, as with any industry, there are some companies with whom you should be very careful. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can tell you if any complaints have been filed about a specific company. Plan on contacting your moving company of choice no less than 30 days prior to the move. Get a clear understanding of any type of preparation you will need to make so that they can do their job correctly. Most moving companies will provide storage for your belongings if you are not ready to have them delivered to the new location. It is definitely worth getting an idea of cost before storing your belongings. Checklist for Transitioning Services Over to Your New Life

Over and above the actual move, there are quite a few things which concern transferring services of your vendors to your new location. This would entail, of course, terminating services at your old location as well. There are many people to notify and to provide a change of address.

Service transfers: Telephone (land line and/or cellular) Cable (television, email, internet provider) Electric company Water company Waste management company Gardeners

Coordinating these transfers requires some organization so the transition will be seamless. In addition to informing certain entities of your change of address, you will also want to ensure that services are terminated on the right date and started again at your new location on the correct date.

Service providers: Health care providers (doctor, dentist, HMO, PPO) Credit card company Insurance company Attorney Accountant Church, Synagogue or Temple School Post office (be sure to set up forwarding)

Depending how far away you are moving, this may entail cancellation of one account and opening a new account with a new vendor. If you are only moving a short distance and are in the service area of your current vendors, you will need to transfer the service to the new address.

Change of address notifications: Friends and family Buyer of your former home (in case something is left behind) Social Security Administration Internal Revenue Service State Tax Board Department of Motor Vehicles Voter Registration Subscriptions (magazines, book clubs, etc.) Organizations (Boy Scouts, Rotary, etc.)

One of the easiest ways to stay organized is to create lists. Since you now have the lists of the primary people to be notified, it is time to create a timeline for these activities. Not only will you need to create a timeline for the entities on the lists, but you will find it particularly helpful to create a timeline for the move itself.

Moving is not simple and it can be completely nerve-wracking. However, as discussed in this article, there are quite a few things you can do to make life a whole lot easier. The key is to get organized and utilize your resources. Best of luck and enjoy your new home!

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