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Texas Relocation - Countdown to Moving Day

*** Quick disclaimer... this post is long because I tried to cover as many items as I could. Be sure to review it completely to ensure you have added your important items. And if you don't read it all today, bookmark it or print it out for future use ***

You are really moving now (no pun intended). If you completed part 3, then you found Temporary Housing so that your family is comfortable until the house is read. In this section, you will be preparing a To Do List so that you are prepared for Moving Day with little to no hiccups.

The To Do List will actually start at least 6 weeks out from your moving day. 6 weeks should give you plenty of time to complete most of your 'Moving Day' tasks. Review your list to ensure you have given yourself plenty of time for items that may take longer than 6 weeks.

Starting with your oldest items, here are some things you should focus on at least 6 weeks from your moving day 

• Change your address at the post office (effective ON moving day). Keep a list of the needed address changes and check them off as you notify them (cell phone, credit cards, automobile financing, magazines, etc.)
• Start a file of all vital paperwork to ensure they are not lost in the move. It's very easy to lose track of the ONE box that has important documents. Typically, an accordion file works best or maybe a three-ring binder.
• Get estimates from moving companies. Depending on the size of your move and time of year, you may want to start this search earlier. Trying to move during the summer is always a busy time for moving companies (June through September).

With about 5 weeks left before moving day, you can address the following items:

• Select the moving company. Again, this may need to done earlier if moving during peak season. Confirm the moving date and figure out some of the details of the move - Who is packing? Professionals or yourself? If you pay professionals, they will typically come the day before moving day.
• Start sorting your items. Moving is a great time to go through things you have kept for a long time. Decide what is being moved, what you can sell, what you can give away, and what you can discard. BE RUTHLESS! Remember that you are moving to a new home. Obviously some things you will keep for memories, but not everything can be a memory. Also keep in mind you will be creating NEW memories.
• Sketch a floor plan of the new home. This will help you decide where furniture will be placed in the new home.
• Inventory Inventory Inventory. Make a list of your valuables and the year you purchased them. This important for insurance purposes and will be used by the movers. Most professional movers will make a list of the items being moved, but will not make a note of the value. You may even consider pictures or videos.
• Start on some 'do-it-yourself' packing. This is a good opportunity to start packing things like seldom used dishes, books, garage items, and off-season clothes. Establish an area to store packed boxes as you go.

Moving day is now about a month away. You have done a lot already, but there is still quite a few things to get to. Address these items when you are about 4 weeks away from moving day:

Phew... we are getting closer. Now only about 3 weeks to go. Are you getting excited? The list for week 3 is relatively small, but there are important tasks to complete.

We made it... only one week left. Have you forgotten anything? During your final week, you certainly want to go over your entire 'To Do List'. Have you forgotten anything or perhaps overlooked something? You still have a week to catch anything you may have overlooked, so don't worry. Remember what you have already accomplished. Be sure to include the following:

• Return all borrowed items. This could be anything from Library books to your neighbors water hose. Also remember to gather items you may have lent out to neighbors, family, or friends.
• Stop your paper. You may have included this in your 'change address' step, but if you are relocating to a new area then you may be getting a different paper all together. Be sure to cancel any and all deliveries to your house - Water service, Paper, Magazines, etc.
• Prepare quick-fix foods for Moving Day. Remember that your pots and pans will be packed and most of your food will probably be gone in preparation of moving day. So, plan some simple meals for moving day.  ** quick fact... pizza is the number 1 item consumed on moving day **
• Consider having kids go to friends/sitters for moving day.
• Plan to secure pets or have them go to a friends/kennel on moving day.
• Turn on utilities at the new home for moving day. This is an important step. There is nothing more miserable than moving into your new home and having no electricity for the first night or two. Plus during the winter time it can get really cold.
• Empty gas & oil from lawnmower and other gas powered items. You do not want these items leaking on your other personal items.

MOVING DAY IS HERE! You have done so much already and it comes down to this day. You will notice that this list is small. This is because you and/or the movers will be very busy moving items. Most of the 'To Do' items have already been completed. There are a few things that needed to wait until this day though:

Stay in touch with this 'Texas Relocation' series here.

Part 1 - Getting Prepared

Part 2 - Finding a House in Your New Area

Part 3 - Temporary Housing

Part 4 - Countdown to Moving Day (To Do List)

Part 5 - Choosing a Moving Company

Part 6 - Moving 'Speciality' Items (pets and autos)

Part 7 - Cutting Costs

Part 8 - Are We There Yet? Road Trip Consideration

Part 9 - Congratulations, You Have Moved! Steps to Getting 'Settled In'

Texas Relocation - Part 3

If you have followed the other two parts, then you are mentally prepared to move and have found a home in your new area. In Part 3 of 9, we will discuss Temporary Housing. A temporary home is used when there is a gap between the date you move our of your old home/rental and when you move into your new home.

Having a gap in your move can be caused by a few things. For example, if you purchased a brand new home that is being built. The home may not be ready for another month or two, but your company needs you at the new location now. During this two month period you may find a home or apartment that is available now and will allow you to keep a short lease.

How do you find a temporary home?

Finding the right rental is very similar to finding the right home. If you are relocating for your company, check your employer's policy on rentals. In some cases, the company will pay the deposit and may pay for the termination of the lease (should there be one)

You may also consider talking with the Real Estate Agent or Relocation Specialist you worked with when finding your home. Since they are familiar with the area, they could probably find a temporary home that is in a great location, is the right size for your family, and can accommodate your short term living arrangement. In bigger cities, apartment locating services are available. Two other solutions can be the local Newspaper Classifieds which can be hit-or-miss if you don't know the territory, or a co-worker in the new area may be able to direct you.

Just like when you were looking for your home, be specific with your needs. Even though it will be temporary, you still do not want it to 100% inconvenient. How many rooms do you need? Do you need public transportation? How much rent do you want to pay? What services / amenities are important to you? The more specific you are, the easier it will be to find a home that will fit your temporary needs.

Naturally, you want as much comfort and convenience as you can find. You may not have all of the conveniences of a permanent home, but you can come close. Look for something with pleasant surroundings and sufficient space. You don't want your family to feel inconvenienced, cramped, or depressed with the decor - even if this is temporary.

Many 'Short Term' rental properties come equipped with china, linen, and some may even have maid service. You'd be surprised with how far 'temporary housing facilities' have come due to their popularity. This is especially common in newly developed areas. Look for assistance from the Relocation Specialist or Real Estate Agent. More than likely, they are familiar with these developments and point you in the right direction.

Stay in touch with this 'Texas Relocation' series here.

Part 1 - Getting Prepared

Part 2 - Finding a House in Your New Area

Part 3 - Temporary Housing

Part 4 - Countdown to Moving Day (To Do List)

Part 5 - Choosing a Moving Company

Part 6 - Moving 'Speciality' Items (pets and autos)

Part 7 - Cutting Costs

Part 8 - Are We There Yet? Road Trip Consideration

Part 9 - Congratulations, You Have Moved! Steps to Getting 'Settled In'

Texas Relocation - Part 2

In part 1, I discussed the importance of 'Getting Ready' for your Texas Relocation. No matter your reason for relocating to Texas (or any state for that matter), you want to be prepared and you want to narrow down your location specifically.

Part 2 Finding a House in Your New Area

Before you sell your existing home or give notice to your landlord (if you are renting), my first suggestion is to contact a Relocation Specialist in your new area. As I mentioned in my previous post, this specialist could be someone within your company (generally within your Personnel Department). Or you can ask the Real Estate Agent that is listing your current home because they will tend to have connections outside of their direct area. As a matter of fact, most agents maintain a close relationship with affiliated agents across the country who may specialize it helping out-of-town home buyers.

When you contact this specialist, be prepared with provide all of the information needed to make your search easier. This information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• A brief breakdown of your family members
  • Number of members
  • Children's ages
  • Any needs for elderly members
• What are your interest
  • Golfing
  • Boating
  • Gardening
  • Volunteering
  • Religious Activities
• Special Family Needs
  • School Requirements
  • Public Transportation
  • Distance to work
• Your employer and work location
• What are your target dates for house hunting and moving in
  • Looking at homes listed today may be a waste of time if you are not considering a relocation until the middle of next year. However, viewing homes in a specific neighborhood may still be helpful.

If you do currently own a home and have it listed for sale, you should talk with your listing agent about your financial stituation. No, not what amount is in your checking and savings account. I am talking about the amount of equity you have in your current home. This will help you determine what your downpayment will be and ultimately, what your loan balance will be on your new home. The listing agent can complete a Broker's Pricing Opinion of Value (BPO), which will help you determine your equity.

The next big question is, "what TYPE of home do you want?".  You have prepared your list of 'special requests' above, but let's talk about the style, size, etc. Here are some things to consider:

• Price Range
  • Knowing your down payment will help you with this determination.
  • When shopping for a home and ultimately for a mortgage, be sure you are comfortable with the mortgage payment. If its seems a little hight, consider lowering your price range or increasing your down payment.
• Style Preference
  • There are many styles to choose from, but not all home styles are offered in a specific area. Your real estate agent will be able to help you with this further.
• Room Requirements
  • What do you 'want' from your home? Family room, fireplace, separate and formal dining rooms, office space, three car garage, etc.

With some companies, your relocation specialist will match you with a Real Estate Agent that is familiar with your new area. Once you have updated them with your needs from above, they can guide you efficiently through the house-hunting process.

Something else to remember is to ASK questions. Remember this is a new location to you and the real estate agent you are working with is very familiar with this area. Ask about local parks, communities, home values in the area, local attractions, new constuction in empty lots, or anything else that may come to mind.

Stay in touch with this 'Texas Relocation' series here.

Part 1 - Getting Prepared

Part 2 - Finding a House in Your New Area

Part 3 - Temporary Housing

Part 4 - Countdown to Moving Day (To Do List)

Part 5 - Choosing a Moving Company

Part 6 - Moving 'Speciality' Items (pets and autos)

Part 7 - Cutting Costs

Part 8 - Are We There Yet? Road Trip Consideration

Part 9 - Congratulations, You Have Moved! Steps to Getting 'Settled In'

Texas Relocation: Part 1

One of the biggest questions when considering relocation is 'where do I start?'. I'll be writing a small series on what steps to take over the next few weeks/months prior to relocating. Should you have any specific questions that I have not covered, feel free to contact me directly through email or my office number listed below.

In Part 1 is "Getting Prepared"

As I mentioned, the first question is always 'Where Do I Start' when you are looking to relocate to Texas. Unless you have relocated before, you don't truly know what to expect and where to start. You know and understand the goal - Move All My Things from Here to There. But just knowing the goal is not quite enough in this case. You don't want to forget any steps.

Whether you relish the idea of moving or your dread it, the act of relocating can be stressful.  Remember, you need to cover all the steps from packing dishes, shipping the cars, and of course selling your home. So, let's focus this post on lowering the stress level for you and the entire family.

First - Buy a notebook to keep track of things you need to do and what has already been done. There will be a lot to cover. The bigger the family, the bigger the list. Keep this "Moving Book" in one place where everyone can see it. Not only will you track things that need to be done, but you will also track 'who is responsible' to get it done. Easy access allows anyone to make entry updates as things are complete.

Second - Hold family brainstorming sessions. This doesn't have to be formal, maybe just over dinner. Its a great way to get caught up on things that need to get done. Keeping everyone on the same page makes for an easier transition.

Third - Assign responsibilities and target dates. Don't stress yourself out by trying to take it all on yourself. Have your spouse and older siblings help out. You can even assign some items to the younger siblings. These responsibilities can be discussed during the family meetings, as well as any changes.

Before I get too far ahead, you should know there are professionals that can help you with these tasks. They are strong, experienced individuals who will help you relocate to Texas (or any place else):

Company Relocation Manager - This title may be different from one company to another, but this individual would probably work in your companies Personnel Department and will counsel you on the companies relocation policies. Ask what the company will provide and pay for. Also ask what assistance or incentives are available to you.

Relocating Specialist - (may also be called Coordinator or Counselor) Relocation centers, real estate firms that specialize in relocation, and even some moving companies are ready to provide you with detailed information about your new community.

Real Estate Agent - An agent can save you a large amount of time and energy finding a home or apartment in the new area. Many homeowners don't think of a Real Estate Agent when looking for an apartment but why not? An agent is very familiar with the area. They can help you determine the best location considering your 'requirements' (work commute, schooling, etc). Overall, they will help you get connected with your new neighborhood.

Moving Companies - I mentioned them above, but its important to mention them twice. Movers can give time and money-saving advice on how to schedule your move, how to pack, and what not to take. Overall, they will help you get prepared to move.

Stay in touch with this 'Texas Relocation' series here.

Part 1 - Getting Prepared

Part 2 - Finding a House in Your New Area

Part 3 - Temporary Housing

Part 4 - Countdown to Moving Day (To Do List)

Part 5 - Choosing a Moving Company

Part 6 - Moving 'Speciality' Items (pets and autos)

Part 7 - Cutting Costs

Part 8 - Are We There Yet? Road Trip Consideration

Part 9 - Congratulations, You Have Moved! Steps to Getting 'Settled In'