Moving Checklist™
Do The Prep Work (3 to 4 Weeks Out)
- Keep/Donate/Trash
It’s time to take stock of all your belongings and decide what to keep, what you’d like to donate, and what needs to be trashed. This includes children’s toys, clothing, and going through all those boxes that lay untouched in the basement. Many unwanted items are valuable but simply won’t work in your new home. Consider having a garage sale or listing items online. You may as well make some extra spending money!
- Start Collecting Supplies
You’ll need some boxes…lots of boxes! Make sure to consider specialty items like mattress covers, wardrobe boxes, bubble wrap etc. Does this sound overwhelming? The Natalie Berthiaume Group can arrange packing services! Talk to us today if this is something you’d like a hand with.
- Choose Your Movers
Get in touch with your movers about 3-4 weeks ahead of your move date. Start researching your options and getting quotes. Our group works closely with several companies and can put you in touch. Trust us, hiring professionals is worth the money, doing it yourself or with friends is not worth the backache or risk of your buddy putting a hole in the wall of your new home.
- Arrange For Storage (If Needed)
You may decide to have your new home renovated, or maybe you don’t want to breathe in fumes while the walls in your house get a fresh coat of paint. Whatever the case may be, now’s the time to research storage options in your new community.
- Make School/Daycare Arrangements
If you have school or daycare-aged children, now is the time to reach out and start the process of getting them registered. Most schools will require proof of your new address to confirm you’re in the right school for your area (the first page of your purchase contract works great for this). Need help locating the nearest school? We can help!
- RPR
The typical listing agreement used in Alberta requires sellers to provide a current real property report (RPR) to the buyer. An RPR is a legal document that shows the location of buildings and improvements in relation to property lines. If you don’t have a report for your current home OR if you have added things like an air conditioner or back deck since purchasing your home, you will need to start the process of getting a new one. Not sure who to call? Ask us!
Start Packing (2 Weeks Out)
- Box Up the Easy Stuff
Start packing up items that you don’t use every day such as seasonal decorations, books, and the panini press that gets brought out twice a year.
- Book the Elevator
If you’re moving into or out of a condo or an apartment, you may need to book the elevator and/or make parking arrangements for moving vehicles. Trust us, no one wants to climb 3 flights of stairs with your dining table!
- Get Insured
Contact your insurance company and transfer your policy or reach out to your broker and talk about your options. Need a place to start? We can help with that!
- Make a List
It’s time to start making a list of friends, companies, and other personal accounts who need to be notified of your upcoming move. Think banks, your HR department, subscriptions like newspapers, and utility companies. A great short-term option is to have your mail forwarded to your new address. This can easily be done online and will give you some more time to get organized.
- Book a Day Off
This is your reminder to schedule a day off work for moving. Consider making special arrangements for children and pets for moving day if needed.
- Get Out the Tools
It’s time to address the minor repair work, especially if you’re moving out of a rental. Grab the tools and touch up the scuff marks on the walls, tighten the cabinet handles, and replace any burnt-out lightbulbs.
- Contact Your Lawyer
If you own the property you are moving into or out of, you will need to meet with your lawyer before possession day. Typically, they will ask you to come in about a week before closing to discuss the final details and get your signature on all the documents. If you need a lawyer but don’t know where to start – we’ve got your back! We’re more than happy to share our go-to recommendations with you.
- The Clean-up
Reach out to a cleaning company and get a move-out clean into your calendar. If you’re a Natalie Berthiaume Group client, this will already be arranged on your behalf and will take place about 2 days before the possession. Watch your inbox for the date and time.
Get Down to Business (1 Week Out)
- Grab the Boxes
It’s time to finish up the packing. We suggest tackling this one room at a time. Everything that fits in a box should be in one! Don’t forget to label your boxes and tape them shut. Leave out only the essentials you’ll need for the week.
- Arrange Cut-off and Activation Dates
Notify your service providers about your move. You will need to get the cut-off and activation dates set for things like cable/internet, gas, electricity, and water. If you need help finding local providers, don’t hesitate to reach out.
- Manuals, Warranties, and Keys
Place any appliance manuals you have held onto, warranty information and spare keys/garage remotes in a place where the new owners can easily find them. If you sold your home with us, don’t forget to tell us where you’ve placed them so that we can pass that along. If you’re a client, watch your doorstep for a special delivery which includes a checklist where you can write any need-to-know info for the new occupants!
- Take Photos
Rather than spending hours of your day reading manuals and scouring the internet for instructions, take pictures of your hard-to-assemble furniture and electronics before taking them apart. This will help make putting it together again much easier, trust us!
Moving Day
- Pack the Essentials
Make sure all your essentials and loose items are packed and ready to go. Toothbrushes, kitchen utensils and the packing tape all need to go!
- Check Your Cabinets, Appliances and Closets
Double-check all your appliances and closets to make sure they are empty. Look behind doors and open every drawer. Yes, even the pickle jar at the back of your fridge needs to be out!
- Gather the Essentials
Collect things like toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags and dish soap to make sure your first night in your new home goes smoothly. Did you purchase with us? We’ve got you covered on this front!
- Lock-up
Make sure all the lights are switched off, windows shut and doors are locked as you’re leaving. You may even consider shutting off the water and turning down your thermostat.
- Get Organized
It’s best to be at your new home when the movers roll up so you can direct them on where everything needs to go. Need help unpacking? Or do you have some tricky spaces you need help decorating? The Natalie Berthiaume Group has people for that too! We work closely with a professional organizer and we’re happy to put you in touch.
Once You're In
- Property Taxes
When taking ownership of a new property it is your responsibility to take over the payment of the property tax from the time of possession. Typically, your lawyer’s office will help facilitate this transition. You will need to consider whether you would like to make a yearly lump sum payment or break up the amount into monthly payments.
- Visit the Registry
You will need to take a trip to the closest registry and have the address on your driver’s license updated. No idea where to go? Reach out to us, and we can help!
- Change the Locks
The only way to be sure no one else has access to your new home is to have the locks changed or re-keyed. We happen to have a great locksmith on speed dial and we’re happy to put you in touch!
- Leave a Review
As you probably already know, our industry is highly influenced by the reviews and recommendations of past clients. Please consider visiting your favourite real estate team’s Google Business Page and giving us your feedback.
- Plan a Party!
Now that you’re settled, all that’s left is to plan an epic housewarming party so your friends and family can check out your new home. Don’t forget to send us an invite!
Natalie Berthiaume Group
Meet The Team
The women at the Natalie Berthiaume Group are on a mission to make the biggest transaction of your life a seamless (even delightful!) process. Natalie has been a top Realtor in the Airdrie area for 10+ years and has leveraged her background in travel, nannying, and — believe it or not — 911 dispatching to ensure that Natalie Berthiaume Group’s clients have a distinct competitive edge.