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Congratulations on the settlement of
your exciting new home! Now it's finally
time to actually make the move. Once,
you know that the utilities and
homeowner's insurances have transferred
through settlement, it's time to get the
moving truck and start loading. After
all, you wouldn't want to occupy your
new house and have an accident, such as
a fire or flood that could ruin the
house? You would be in a lot of hot
water. O.K., no more puns.
If you are the seller, you can begin
the moving process if you have not
started. If you are the buyer, you can
truly move in as soon as you are sure
that escrow has closed completely.
However, due to the potential traffic at
the house from both the buyer and seller
moving simultaneously, the buyer should
be more patient. Sometimes it is much
easier and recommended that the buyer
move the day after closing.
However, there can be conditions in
the closing where the seller can remain
in the house via the rent-back
agreement. This agreement allows the
seller to remain in the buyer's house as
a renter paying the rent and utility
fees comparable or prorated to reflect
the purchase price of the sold home.
Considerations
The old addage states that "if
you fail to plan, then you plan to
fail". Of course, this addage could
translate to a miserable moving
experience with potentially lost and
damaged items. Thus, you should plan
with diligence. Planning involves
scheduling tasks far enough in advance
and determining the logistics and costs.
Other decisions include choosing between
do-it-yourself rental trucks or full
service companies that may involve
getting estimates and moving insurance.
You should be aware of how valuable
your stuff is just in case the move
becomes challenging. Knowing the value
will help if you elect to get moving
coverage, which is available via basic,
value-based, and replacement coverages.
Basic usually costs around $.60 per
pound. Value-based coverage requires
that you assess all items fairly, which
means using the "street" or
"market" price. Because
replacement coverage is the ultimate,
which usually means very expensive
premium, be sure you have all the
important receipts, because you and the
moving company will have to agree on the
value of each item choosen for coverage.
Thus, if anything is damaged during the
move, you get a full replacement
regardless of the "market"
value or depreciation of the item. Be
sure to document any items missing or
damaged in writing as soon as possible
to ensure an easier claim process. Be
sure you fully examine
and understand the coverage agreement,
so that you know your coverage rights,
especially if you need to make a claim.
Your To Do List
Once the sales transaction is fully
completed, it is time to actually
relocate. You must be organized and
efficient in order to have a smooth
moving experience. If you are a
procrastinator and have email access,
you may want to have Mayflower
Moving reminders e-mailed to you as
guidance. Otherwise, some of the moving
guidelines are listed below.
Several days before the move, you
need to set up an appointment to have
home meter readings on the day of
closing. The meter readings for the day
of closing should include gas and fuel
oil, electricity, and water/sewer. If
you will be busy with the closing, have
someone that you trust watch over the
readings to ensure that the meter
readings are complete and accurate. This
supervision will provide you with peace
of mind and protect your interests.
You will also need to cancel your
mail and have it redirected with a
forwarding address. When paying bills,
be sure to fill out the change of
address section of the payment coupon
with your new address. Other services
such as garbage, recycling, cable TV,
and telephone will also need to be
cancelled.
The day prior to settlement, you need
to verify with your real estate attorney
that all documents are ready for the
closing. Finally, you will need to get
an estimate of the closing costs from
the closing agent and verify that all
the fees, charges, taxes, and document
are recorded accurately. You will need
to collect the required documents as
listed in the escrow and closing
agreement.
On the big day, clean out the house
and bring all the documents along with
all the keys to the house. Once
completed, you will need to cancel the
home owners insurance. After all, no one
pays for something they are not using.
Now, it is time for you to pack up
and change your address. For a detailed
moving checklist, you should look at
the guidelines listed by a major full
service moving companies, such as North
American Van Lines.
Full Service Moving
For those with little time or who
don't enjoy packing, full service movers
do pretty much as the title states. Full
service usually means providing the
packing materials, transport vehicle(s),
and manual labor. Thus, for those of you
do not want to or cannot do any of the
"dirty" work, full service is
just for you. You do not have to pack,
load or unload boxes, or learn to drive
a monstrous truck. However, be prepared
to supply plenty of direction. Remember,
well written details really do count or
later you might be wondering what
happened to your precious stuff. The
primary full service movers are listed
as follows:
Self-Service Moving
If you want to save some money
through actual "sweat equity",
the self-service approach usually
includes packing, loading, and
unloading. If you are moving locally, it
is time for you to get reconnected with
friends and start collecting the empty
boxes from your local liquor and grocery
stores. Also, enlisting friends with a
promise or reward of beer and pizza may
help you assemble the sweaty mercenaries
needed for the project. Ok, maybe start
with soda and use the beer as the reward
at the end of the move when the story
telling usually begins.
Obviously, the greatest savings also
includes renting and driving the truck
yourself. However, if you are
uncomfortable driving a truck, no matter
the size, some self-service movers will
deliver and drive the truck for you.
This approach is especially helpful if
you need help in transporting an
automobile during a long distance
one-way move. If you have other cars,
boats, or other vehicles that need to
transported, you should investigate auto
moving companies.
A successful truck or van rental
include a two-month advanced
registration and comparison shopping for
the best rates. The leading truck/van
lines rental companies are listed as
follows:
Enjoy your new house!
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