Florida Keys Arts:Abby Oglesbee-Your Lower Keys Agent

Florida Keys Relocation & Moving Guide

Moving Guide and Checklist
This checklist has been carefully designed to help get you organized and ready you're your upcoming move.
8 Weeks before move:
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Look into getting moving and/or storage insurance to cover your items during the move. Begin to get estimates from moving companies. Shop around as much as possible to get the best rate. Remember to be as accurate as possible when giving information for your estimate.
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If you plan to move yourself, now is the time to reserve a rental truck. Again, it pays to shop around
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Get estimates for shipping your car.
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If you are moving overseas, check on possible quarantine and/or vaccination requirements for your pet.
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If you have small children, be sure to research child care options in your new area. Select and register children for local schools in your new area. Arrange transfer of immunization and records and transcripts.
7 Weeks before move:
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Make a Moving File to store receipts, records, and important papers related to your move.
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Check with accountant about which moving expenses are deductible.
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Begin removing unwanted or unneeded items from your attic, garage, basement, or storage.
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Plan to donate or sell.
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Check to make sure you have returned all borrowed items including video rentals and library books.
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Gather important documents (birth certificates, immunization records, insurance documents, etc..) and place them in a briefcase, strong box, or other secure place to insure that they do not get misplaced during the move.
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If you're using a mover, get in touch with your chosen 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.
6 Weeks before move:
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Check that your car registration and driver's license are up to date.
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You may also need to notify your auto insurance.
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Make item donations, and collect receipts for tax purposes. Or, try selling your unwanted items online.
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Have garage sale.
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Notify your doctor, dentist, veterinarian, accountant, and financial planner of your move and ask for referrals in your new area. Collect records from them.
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Be sure your medical insurance covers the professionals in your new area.
___Forward or cancel any monthly services, subscriptions, or memberships.
5 Weeks before move:
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Contact current utility companies to cancel or transfer accounts to lower Keys utilities.
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Decide where you are going to stay your last night in town after all your items are packed for moving.
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Make sure you have transportation arrangements for your pet.
4 Weeks before move:
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Fill out an official change of address with USPS online.
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Notify all important business and personal contacts of your new address.
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Fill out changes of address for creditors and magazine subscriptions.
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Leave a forwarding address with the next owners or tenants of your home if possible.
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Buy boxes and packing materials if you are moving yourself.
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Reserve elevator, if necessary, for moving day.
3 Weeks before move:
Start packing! Begin with rooms of the house you don't use often and finish with the kitchen.
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Choose a room of the house to serve as a temporary storage area for packed boxes.
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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 the event items get lost or damaged in the move.
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Check into storage options for those items you cannot move immediately and may need to store temporarily.
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Start involving your kids in the move. Make it exciting by having your kids pack some of their own things. Give them their own box to pack. Let them figure out new layouts for their rooms.
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If you have young children, arrange for a babysitter on moving day. You can concentrate on the move knowing your children are being cared for safely.
2 Weeks before move:
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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.
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Drain gas from any gas powered equipment before you pack it up. Try to make disposal arrangements for any oil, gas, old paint cans, or other hazardous substances you will not be able to move, use, or give away.
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Verify schedules with Realtor.
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Arrange to have your new home cleaned before movers arrive.
1 Week before move:
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Make backup copies of important files on your computer before packing it up.
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Service your car, especially if you're driving to your new place.
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Donate food items you don't consume to a shelter or food bank.
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Cancel newspapers.
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Confirm any travel plans or reservations you may have made for moving day (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc.)
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Confirm arrangements with your moving company.
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Give plants a loving home
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Return cable boxes for TV.
Moving week:
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Be sure to have some cash on hand for the day of the move. You may need it to tip movers, buy snacks, etc. Keep in mind that many businesses do not accept out-of-state checks.
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Begin cleaning your house. Make sure you defrost your refrigerator and freezer.
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Pick up your rental truck and any moving equipment you may need (dollies, carts, furniture pads, etc.).
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Keep your pets 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.
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When you're finished, do a final walk-through of your old residence, checking closets, drawers, etc.
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Turn off all lights, turn off hot water heater, lock all doors and windows.
PACK THESE ITEMS IN A BOX TO GO WITH YOU
___A wall phone.
___Cell phone and charger.
___Extension cords, batteries.
___Tools-hammers, screwdrivers, nails, screws, scotch tape, duct tape, and a tape measure.
___Address book or PDA.
___Suffiencit cash or traveler's checks.
___Personal ID - driver's license.
___Cleaning materials-especially paper towels.
___Hand wipes and toilet paper.
___Light bulbs, a small lamp, flashlight.
___Alarm clock.

AT YOUR NEW HOME
___Take doors off hinges, clear paths for movers.
___Have your REALTOR suggest a local food delivery service for lunch/dinner on moving day.
___Make sure you have a cooler of drinks and toilet paper available on moving day
___Check each item off your inventory that movers bring into home
___Send in claims for damages during the move
___Make grocery shopping list for new home
___Test security and smoke alarms
___Obtain local emergency numbers and post them
___Take back rental truck with full tank of gas
___Get a professional to set up appliances (gas, electric or plumbing)
___Change locks on all doors. Call Realtor for locksmith referral.
___Find the right cellular phone service for your needs
___Feng Shui your home
___Go to the DMV for new plates and registration of vehicles
___Get a new propane tank for the grill and fuel for gas-powered tools
___File real estate documents in safe place-copy closing statement for accountant
___Join new homeowners association if there is one
___Buy new plants and flowers
___Throw a house warming party
___Find a new veterinarian, doctor, dentist, hair and nail salons. Again, your Realtor is the best place to head for recommendations.

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