Step 9: Moving Into Your Home
There's a lot to think about when moving to a new home (like remembering to defrost the freezer). Keeping everything straight can be tricky, that's why we came up with this basic moving outline—to help you stay on track and make sure all the necessary steps are taken care of well in advance. This simple move-in checklist is all you need to ensure a smooth and successful move.
Immediate Tasks
Select a moving company.
Schedule dates for moving out of your current home and into your new home.
Get appraisals for valuable items like electronics, art, and antiques.
Complete Change-of-Address forms from the U.S. Postal Service.
Get rid of what you don't want to move—have a garage sale or donate goods to a charity. Some charities will pick up and move what you donate if they think it's worthwhile.
Check into the schools in your new neighborhood and register your children.
Five Weeks Before Your Move
Alert banks and insurance companies of your impending move (some insurance premiums may increase or decrease depending on where you are moving to).
Apply for city auto licenses, parking permits, etc.
Contact utility companies to discontinue old service and establish new service.
Have school records transferred to the new schools.
For interstate moves, check regulations for pet entry, vaccinations, or quarantine.
Four Weeks Before Your Move
Select a phone company and obtain a phone number.
Provide your new address and phone number to:
Friends, relatives, social organizations, etc.
Magazine and newspaper subscription offices, charge-card lenders, insurance carriers, and other creditors.
Voter registration officials and vehicle license agencies.
Begin depleting your store of foods. Defrost your freezer and use charcoal to dispel odors.
For interstate moves, obtain your medical records to carry with you and collect recommendations for new health care providers.
Two Weeks Before Your Move
Cancel any routine services like pest control, cable, internet, etc.
Confirm dates with moving company.
Moving Week
Pack fragile items that will travel with you rather than with movers, such as cameras and jewelry.
Return cable converter box/remote controls to cable provider.
Arrange for services at your new address, such as pool service, cleaning service, lawn service, laundry/diaper service, etc.
Is Your Move Job Related?
Keep detailed records of all your moving expenses if your move is job-related. Many of your expenses, including house-hunting trips, may be tax-deductible. If your new job is at least 50 miles further from your old home than your old job was from your old home, you may be able to deduct your family's travel expenses, including meals and lodging; and the cost of transporting furniture, household goods, and personal belongings. You can deduct food and hotel bills for up to 30 days in your new city, if you have to wait to move into your new home. Also, the costs associated with selling your old home or leasing your new home may be tax-deductible.