Relocating
can become a nightmare if you aren't prepared. Houston boasts a large
number of relocations due to its many energy and medical companies.
Knowing what to expect and being prepared for it is the best solution.
Create a list of items that you need to attend to prior to your move and stick
to the plan. This list will give you a head's up of what you should
expect before relocating to Houston, TX. Welcome to your New Home! Soon
enough you'll be speaking the local lingo and having pecan pie with us on a sunny
day and strolling through the many Houston attractions.
8 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Documents: If renting your new home, try to
obtain a current credit report to give to potential landlords. If purchasing a
home, be sure to check on your credit report to make sure there are no
errors! Developing a relationship with a loan officer is key prior
to your relocation. Make sure to have all your documents in order before
talking to a loan officer (pay stubs, contract or job letters, 2-3 years of tax
returns...etc).
* Moving: Look into getting moving and/or storage
insurance to cover your items during the move. Plan ahead when
searching for a mover in Houston. Make sure your mover is a member of the
Better Business Bureau and see how many complaints people have against them.
* Using a Mover: First use AT&T Yellow Pages for
Houston Movers, then use Yahoo and Google to get estimates from moving
companies. Try to shop around as much as possible to get the best
rate. Remember however, you usually get what you pay
for. Make sure the mover is insured.
* Self Move: Use the yellow pages or search engines to
choose a rental truck to use. Uhaul is in most general locations around Houston
and tend to be the most popular. Be sure to reserve it well in advance since
reservations fill up quickly at certain times of the year.
* Pets: Check on possible quarantine and/or
vaccination requirements for your pet, especially if you are moving out of
state or overseas. Look up veterinarians through yellow pages and
through posting questions on Facebook, Google groups or Yahoo groups from other
pet owners.
* Kids: If you have small children, be sure to
research child care options in your new area. Please make sure the
child care facility is well researched. Asses the quality of school
districts in your new area. Use my website to
compare schools - Click Here.
* Overseas: Make sure your passport is current and
valid. If you don't have one, be sure to get one well in advance. Contact
the consulate for the country you are moving to to insure that you have all
proper paperwork prepared and available. Obtain a visa if you will need
one. You can talk to a consulate about the steps necessary to obtain
one.
7 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Moving: Make a Moving File to store receipts,
records, and important papers related to your move. A proper folder with
pockets and or zipper pockets works best to store information. It's best
to be organized, especially if you are receiving a relocation allowance.
* Using a Mover: Get in touch with a moving company
and set a date for the move. Fill out any necessary paperwork, and be sure to
get moving insurance if you need it. Make sure you are able to contact
your mover via phone and email. In this day in age, the mover should have
a verifiable website as well for you to research their information. Read
over any fine print before you get into contract with any mover.
* Packing: Begin removing unwanted or unneeded items
from your attic, garage, basement, or storage. Plan to donate these or sell
them on Craigslist, Backpage, Livedeal or Yahoo! Classifieds. Contact
your local Purple Heart or Goodwill for tax deductible donation items. Check to
make sure you have returned all borrowed items including video rentals and
library books. Gather important documents (birth certificates, immunization
records, insurance documents, etc...) and place them in a briefcase, strongbox,
or other secure place to insure that they do not get misplaced during the move.
* Overseas: Research the customs and laws of the
country you are moving to. If you haven't been there, try to visit before you
move.
6 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Documents: Update your car registration and driver's
license with your state's motor vehicle department. You may also need to notify
your auto insurance. Houston is a very commuter city so your auto
insurance rate will more likely be impacted. Also, let your insurance
agent know if you will have a garage or not as that may impact your
policy. If you are purchasing, you may speak to your insurance agent
about the different types of home or dwelling policies (if investment) and
discuss flood insurance options. Make sure they run a CLUE report on the
property to see any previous insurance claims on the property.
* Packing: Make item donations. Remember to collect
receipts for tax purposes. Sell your old and unwanted stuff on
Craigslist, Backpage, Livedeal or Yahoo! Classifieds. Even better, hold a
garage sale before you pack and post in on Craigslist, Backpage, Livedeal and
your local newspaper to promote it. Have lots of directional signs
(purchase or do it yourself) available.
* Services: Notify your dentist and doctor of your
move and ask for referrals. Be sure your insurance covers the doctor/dentist in
your new area. Forward or cancel any monthly services, subscriptions or
memberships. If you have special services through certain
providers, they may be transferred to your new address.
* Pets: Make sure you have transportation arrangements
for your pet. Buy a carrier on Yahoo! Shopping. Notify your veterinarian
of your move. Obtain any records for your pet, and ask for a referral.
* Kids: Select a school for your children and arrange
to transfer immunization records and transcripts. Try to visit the school
before deciding if this is possible. Drive around the neighborhoods
on weekdays or weekends to have a good feel of what the neighborhood offers for
your kids.
* Overseas: Research the financial situation your new
country. Open a new bank account and change your currency if
necessary. If you come with a social security number, open a small
line of credit or credit card to start building credit in the United States.
5 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Moving: Make reservations for a room at a local
hotel or motel for the night before moving day. This is the best way to make
sure you can get a good night's rest and a shower while all your things are
packed up. Use online travel websites to make reservations online and get a
favorable rate!
* Documents: Contact utilities to cancel or transfer
accounts.
* Overseas: Research driving laws in your new country.
You may need to apply for a foreign driving permit. Make sure you have current
vaccination records. Make sure you receive recommended vaccinations for the
country you will be moving to. Research insurance options in your new
country. Your US insurance may or may not be valid after you move and you may
need to buy new insurance in your new country.
4 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Documents: Fill out an official change of address
with the USPS. You can also do this online through the USPS
website. Notify all important business and personal contacts of your new
address. Fill out changes of address for creditors and magazine subscriptions.
Leave a forwarding address with the next tenants of your home if possible.
* Self Move: Buy boxes and packing
materials. Your local Wallmart and Target are good choices for
affordable packing materials. Contact churches and non profits
organizations to see if they have a box donation facility for you to get free boxes.
Contact local businesses to see if you can get their box surplus.
3 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Packing: Start packing. Begin with rooms of the
house you don't use as much and finish with the kitchen. Choose a room of the
house to serve as a temporary storage area for packed boxes. Check out our How
to Pack section for tips on how to pack like a professional! Check into
storage options for those items you cannot move immediately and may need to
store temporarily. Make an inventory of important and/or expensive items
in your home as you pack. Try to take photographs of these items if possible.
You may need this inventory for insurance purposes in case items get lost or
damaged in the move.
* Kids: Start involving your kids in the move. Make it
exciting by having your kids pack some of their own things, and letting them
figure out new layouts for their rooms. If you have young children,
arrange for a babysitter on moving day. You can concentrate on the move knowing
your kids are watched and safely out of the way.
2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Moving: If you live in a high-rise apartment or
condo, be sure to reserve an elevator for the day of your move.
* Services: Close any local bank accounts and open new
ones in your new location. Try to get checks printed with your new address as
soon as possible.
* Packing: Drain gas from any gas powered equipment
before you pack it up. Try to make disposal arrangements for any oil, gas, or
other hazardous substances you will not be able to move, use, or throw away.
1 WEEK BEFORE YOUR MOVE
* Services: Service your car, especially if you're
traveling to your new place by car. Search online forums for tools, services,
and advice. Make sure your utitlies are on so you aren't panicking on your move
date.
* Packing: Make backup copies of important files on
your computer before packing it up. Have a party to use up perishable
food items, beverages, and alcohol. Donate food items you don't consume to a
shelter or food bank.
* Moving: Confirm any travel plans or reservations you
may have made for moving day (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc).
* Using a Mover: Confirm arrangements with your moving
company.
* Pets: Pack a travel case for your pet or make proper
arrangements to transport them.
MOVING WEEK!!!!
* Moving: Be sure to have some cash on hand for the
day of the move. You may need it to tip movers, buy snacks, etc... If you are
moving out-of-state, keep in mind that many businesses do not take out-of-state
checks. Most ATM machines charge between 2.50 to 3.50 for transaction
fees here in Houston so cash is always best. If you do make it to a
Walgreens or CVS, you can make a purchase and debit cash using your debit card.
* Moving: Begin cleaning your house. Make sure you
defrost your refrigerator and freezer. Do a final walk-through of your
old residence, checking closets, drawers, etc. Turn off all lights, lock all
doors and windows, and leave keys with your old property manager if applicable.
* Self Move: Pick up your rental truck and any moving
equipment you may need (dollies, carts, furniture pads, etc...).
* Pets: Keep your pet confined on the day of the move.
Make sure they are in a safe place away from the hubbub of the move with plenty
of food and water. Consider taking a dog or cat to the kennel for the day.
Introduce your pet to your new home slowly. Be sure they won't be able to run
back to the old house for the first few day.
* Final Walkthrough: Please make sure you do a final
walkthrough of your new home. Make sure to take digital pictures and
store them in a safe place in the event you need to reference to them at a
later time.
Source: Courtesy of Yahoo.com
LET ME SHOW YOU THE WAY...
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Sincerely,
Diego E. Jaramillo
Realtor, ABR, e-Pro
Keller Williams Houston Metropolitan
Cell: 832-282-2069
Online at www.HoustonHeritage.com
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