Weeks 12-9

• If you are being relocated by your company, verify what your company relocation policy covers and what you will be responsible for.
• Establish tentative dates for your move.Establish and lay out schedules for your planning calendar.
• Put your home on the market, or notify your landlord or your intent to vacate.
• Call Advantage Relocation Systems for free planning assistance.
• Make a house-hunting trip to your new town or city.
• Contact a real estate agent or get an apartment guide if you're planning to rent. 

• Select Advantage / Bekins Van Lines to handle your relocation.
• Make a list of everyone you'll need to notify of your move. Update your contacts/address book.
• Obtain your post office's change of address kit.
• Sort items you don't intend to take to your new location. Plan a date for a garage sale.
• Contact the IRS or your accountant regarding forms and information about tax-deductible moving expenses. 

• Select your new home and arrange financing. Establish a tentative closing date.
• Check school schedules and any enrollment requirements.
• Obtain church/synagogue information for your new area.
• Determine any new driver's license requirements and transfer of license plates or registration.
• Contact an insurance agent regarding coverage on your new home, its contents, and your automobile insurance.
• Look for job opportunities for your spouse and children.
• Select a bank, establish accounts, and obtain a safe deposit box.
• Sketch out a floor plan of your new home and get room measurements. Determine how your present furniture, appliances, and decor will fit, and make a list of the things you will need to buy.
• In the event that you have not found a new home, secure a post office box for mail forwarding.
• Get utility information and phone numbers. Determine any requirements to commence service (such as deposits or prepayments). 

• Notify schools of your move date. Arrange for records to be transferred to new school system.
• Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover. If you need storage, make arrangements with your moving company now.
• Continue sorting belongings, dividing them into what will go in the van, what will go with you, and what you are giving away or disposing of.
• If you have high value items (like antiques) that you expect to be shipping, obtain an appraisal and get receipts.
• Make travel arrangements. If you will be flying, remember that most airfares are cheapest if booked at least 30 days in advance.

• Hold your garage sale, or donate items to charity.
• Verify your time schedules with your real estate agents and/or landlord.
• Reconfirm dates for packing, pickup, and delivery with your mover.
• Send change of address cards to the post office, relatives, friends, and magazine subscriptions. 

• Gather all your personal records from doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, church, school, etc.
• Notify the utilities at your current address of your disconnect dates and your forwarding address, and contact those in your new town to begin service.
• Notify your credit card companies of the change of address. Apply for new bank cards and local store charge accounts if necessary. 

• Take care of financial arrangements like transferring bank accounts and contents of safe deposit box; notify your broker or investment counselor and settle any outstanding bills.
• If you have a pet, take it to the vet to be immunized and prepared for the journey. Arrange for transportation of your pet, and obtain copies of your pet's records or licenses.
• If you are moving into or out of a high-rise building, contact the property manager and reserve the elevator for moving day.
• Drain oil and gas from all your power equipment.
• Cancel deliveries and services like newspapers and trash collection effective by your moving date.
• Consider a sitter for kids and pets on moving day. 

• Defrost the freezer; give or throw away perishables you won't eat in the next few days.
• Give any plants you can't take with you to a loving home.
• If you are driving a long distance, have your car serviced.
• Pack your luggage and anything you are taking with you.
• Use only those household items you absolutely must, like towels, sheets, pans, a coffeepot and a few tools; anything else should be ready to go.
• Have Advantage Relocation pack everything that you are not taking yourself.
• Obtain traveler's checks for trip expenses and cashier's or certified check for payment to mover.