Moving 101

An ongoing “fun” and random list of things to remember to do, buy, or find - before, during, and after you move in to your new Arizona home!

This list is most likely incomplete.  If you have additions, please email us at info@newhomessection.com and we’ll add your additions to the list.  You might help a family out during their move! 

1. List/Sell your existing home.
2. If you’re keeping your existing home, rent/lease your existing home.
3. Check your renter’s credit.
4. Make sure you and your renter sign a contract.
5. Get a security deposit from your renter.
6. Do a credit check on yourself, so you know what to expect when qualifying for your new home.
7. Decide on a comfortable price range for your new home.
8. Include in your price range, if possible, a down payment, landscaping costs, moving costs, etc.
9. Find a lender.
10. Get pre-qualified from a lender so you know that you can afford your price range, and you know how much money you’ll need as a down payment.
11. Ask your real estate agent (and anyone that you trust as a knowledgeable source) about your loan fees, terms, and conditions.  Fully understand your loan!
12. Research new homes and resale homes.
13. Find a new home that is right for you and your family.
14. Ask your builder questions about your new home and familiarize yourself with its features.
15. Ask your builder what to expect during and after your new home purchase.
16. Ask your builder about home warranties and product warranties.
17. Familiarize yourself with local parks around your new home.
18. Familiarize yourself with shopping centers and convenience stores near your new home.
19. If you have a dog, check into dog parks near your new home.
20. Schedule the cancellation of your electricity service.
21. Schedule the cancellation of your cable/satellite service.
22. Schedule the cancellation of your water service.
23. Schedule the transfer or cancellation of your family’s existing phone number(s).
24. Schedule the cancellation of your Internet service.
25. Send the post office a change of address notification.
26. Send your credit cards and banks a change of address notification.  Order new checks with the new address printed on them.
27. Send your family and friends a change of address notification.
28. Let your car insurance agent know about your change of address - your rates may decrease!
29. Get new home homeowner’s insurance.
30. If you’re lucky enough to have house cleaners, let them know your new address.
31. If you’re lucky enough to have landscapers, let them know your new address.
32. Touch up your front and backyard landscaping.
33. Hire movers and schedule them or schedule a self-service moving truck.
34. If you’re not hiring movers; ask some friends to help you move and let them know ahead of time when you’re moving.
35. Clean your carpets.
36. Touch up your kitchen.
37. Touch up your interior paint.
38. Touch up your bathrooms.
39. Touch up your bedrooms.
40. Touch up your living/family room.
41. Hire a Real Estate Professional to list, rent, or help you buy your new Arizona home.
42. Hire a professional landscaper to landscape your new yard.
43. Ask your builder which company provides electric service.
44. Ask your builder which company provides water service.
45. Ask your builder which company provides cable service.
46. Turn on your new electricity.
47. Turn on your new water.
48. Turn on your new cable/satellite.
49. Turn on your new phone service.
50. Meet your new neighbors.
51. Make a list of “moving positives” to help you break the news to your children!
52. Make a list of “moving negatives” to help prepare you for your children!
53. Find out things about your new neighborhood that will help get your children excited about the move.
54. Find out what school(s) your children will be attending.
55. Find out some things about your child’s new school that will excite them.
56. Talk early with your children about the move.
57. Prepare yourself and your spouse to deal with the many things your children could say or do when they decide they don’t want to move.
58. Begin packing a month or two before you move if possible – the more you prepare, the easier the move will be.   Ask grocers and retailers to save boxes for you.
59. Label everything.
60. Load up your belongings.
61. Move to your new home!
62. Plan your new routes to work and your children’s school.  Do “test runs” at different times of day to estimate commute times.
63. Make sure smoke detectors, water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and electric outlets/switches are in good working order.
64. Plan a fire escape route with your family.
65. Prepare a first aid or survival kit. 

As mentioned, this list is more than likely incomplete. If you have any suggestions please let us know. We’ll update the list immediately. You never know… you may help a family make their move easier and more enjoyable.  

Info@newhomessection.com  

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