For Buyers or Sellers

Easing the Transition to Your New Home

As your local team of relocation experts, our team is often asked what moving tips we have to offer to our clients. With that in mind, below is a list of helpful moving tips to help reduce your stress during your move to Valley Glen, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake or San Fernando Valley area.

Use the Right Boxes, and Pack Them Carefully!

Professional moving companies will use only sturdy, reinforced cardboard cartons to move your personal belongings. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, however they are not nearly as strong to protect your valuables from harm when they are in transit. If you are responsible for packing your own belongings, we recommend these protective measures:

• Use bubble wrap, sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton.
• Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.

If you employ the services of a professional mover, be sure to point out to them the boxes in which you've packed and make sure those boxes are marked as fragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.

The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.

For Your Family's Safety and Comfort

For older children, we recommend you teach your children your new address. Why not let them practice writing it on their packed cartons of toys and clothing. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.

Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing items you will need when you first arrive at your new address. Those items might include snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can't do without. Ask your van foreman to load these boxes last, so they will be unloaded first at your new home. Be sure to keep prescription medicine with you just in case the movers are delayed in route to your new home.

Pets, Electronics and Odds & Ends

• On moving day, keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity.
• Once you have moved to your new home, allow all your electronics (computers, TV’s, home theater system, etc.) to return to room temperature before plugging them in.
• Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, be sure to pack your phone book.

We recommend you work hand in hand with your mover and give the moving foreman your contact information, including your cell phone numbers and email addresses, so he can remain in contact with you. Be sure to secure the mover’s contact information too!

Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and always keep your Bill of Lading handy.

If you're moving long distance, ask if your belongings will be sharing a truck with several other households. Your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for a few days. It is important to ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for organization, security and cleanliness.

By following these simple tips, your family’s move to this area will be less stressful and easier to manage. If you are thinking about relocating to Valley Glen, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake or San Fernando Valley area, contact us,  The Re/Max Matt Epstein Team 2000 for all your homebuying needs!

Send Change of Address Cards to:

• Credit Card Companies
• Schools and Colleges
• Government Agencies
• Bank and Investment Services
• Subscriptions
• Relatives, Friends, and Neighbors
• Past and Present Employers
• Doctors/ Dentist
• Accountant
• Lawyer
• Insurance Agent
• Church
• Organizations/Clubs

Disconnect Utilities: Get refunds for any deposits made and advise where final bills are to be sent.

• Water
• Electric
• Gas
• Telephone
• Cable TV
• Other

Cancel Deliveries

• Water/Milk/Food Products
• Newspapers
• Diaper Service
• Notify Post Office
• Other

Transfer Bank Accounts

• Checking
• Savings (IRA's, RRSP's, other)
• Safe Deposit Box

Notify Insurance Companies

• Health
• Life
• Auto
• Home Owners
• Check with insurance agent on coverage of life, car and household goods en route to new home.

Pick up Personal Items

• Dry Cleaning/ Shoe Repair
• Prescriptions

Obtain Records

• Obtain school records for children
• Obtain birth and church records for all family members.
• Check to see if your will must be rewritten when moving across provincial or state boundaries.
• Obtain any legal records.

Obtain Medical Records

• General
• Dentist
• Optometrist
• Specialists
• Veterinarian

Have Medication Prescriptions Refilled or get prescription numbers.

Have car tuned up for trip

Leave keys and any necessary legal papers with your real estate agent

Make a list of your credit card numbers in case of emergency or theft

Pack Immediate Necessities Bag

• Medications for family and pets
• Kids favorite play things
• Change of clothes for all family members. Include a bathing suit.
• Legal papers/medical records

• Always bring your favorite toy or stuffed animal with you to keep you company the day of the move.
• Remember to bring a night-light or flashlight if you need to stay in a hotel during the move.
• Pack bedtime stories to bring with you.
• A backpack filled with toys, games, coloring books, and crayons will keep you busy while your parents help the packers unload the van at your new home.
• When packing have your parents label your boxes with your name so you'll know where all your special things are.
• Have your parents take some pictures of your best friends and frame them to take to your new home. This will keep you from being lonely until you can make new friends in your neighborhood.
• Help your pets during the move by hugging them and telling them that they'll like your new house.
• Tell your friends you are moving and get their addresses and phone numbers so you can write or call them.
• Don't forget to say good-bye to your teachers if you are changing schools. Thank them for all that you have learned from them.
• Moving can be a fun adventure! Smile and know that everyone wants you to love your new home and neighborhood.

Prior to Leaving:

Address Change - Give forwarding address to:

• Post office
• Charge accounts, credit cards
• Subscriptions
• Relatives and friends

Insurance - Notify your company of new location

 

Bank

• Arrange for check cashing in new city
• Transfer accounts
• Empty safe deposit box

Utility Companies

• Get any refunds or deposits
• Arrange for disconnections: gas, water, telephone, etc.

Medical, Dental, Prescription Histories

• Ask for referrals
• Transfer prescriptions, eyeglasses, x-rays, and medical records from health care professionals

Church/Civic Organizations

• Transfer memberships
• Get introductory letters

Schools

• Arrange for copies of school and medical records
• Register children in new school

Pets - Get information on tags, license, medical records, etc.

Things to Remember:

• Clean out freezer, plan food use
• Defrost freezer; use charcoal to absorb odor
• Service appliances, especially washer and dryer hoses
• Make arrangements for utilities, satellite and cable TV
• Clean clothing and rugs; have them moving-wrapped
• Plan with your moving counselor—insurance coverage
• Packing and unpacking labor, arrival day, shipping papers, time and method of expected payment
• Plan for special care of children

Moving Day:

• Clearly mark boxes you will need immediately
• Carry ample cash or travelers checks to cover expenses until a new account is set up
• Transport jewelry, documents and other valuables yourself or use registered mail
• Plan for pets travel and arrival to new area
• Alert close friend or relative of the route and schedule you will travel for emergencies
• Re-check closets, drawers, etc. to make sure they are empty
• Leave keys and garage door openers for new owners

At Your New Home:

• Get certified or cashiers check for closing
• Check on service of telephone, furnace, etc.
• Arrange for medical services
• Have new address recorded on driver’s license
• Apply for state’s driver’s license
• Call your Realtor for referrals

Tips to Successfully Moving with Your Pets

1. Remember that moving your home isn't always just stressful for you, but also your pets too.

Pets notice small changes. When you start to pack your home in boxes, your pets will know that something is different. During this time, make sure you allow them to smell the boxes and suit cases so they understand the change is occuring.

2. Plan accordingly and make sure you have a solid plan to move your pets.

Your pets should either be the first element removed from your house or the last. If you have an older pet who may not handle stress well, it would be wise for this pet to go stay with family members while you pack your old house until you have unpacked your new house. If you have a healthy and flexible animal, make sure they are securely transported in YOUR vehicle. Remember, using a pet carrier to transport your pet is always recommended for their saftey.

4. If you are moving away from your veternarian, make sure you obtain your pets vet records.

Obtaining your pets veternarian records is an important to- do before you move. By completing this task, you'll be one step ahead for when you take your pet to the new vets office. Your new vet will be aware of your pets previous vaccinations and overall history, enabling your new vet to have the best start to caring for your pet.

5. Make sure you pets tags are attached and up-to-date before moving day.

With open doors and windows during moving day, you will either want to secure your pet in a closed off room, a pet carrier or kennel before all of the commotion begins. You will also want to ensure your pets are wearing their tags and that the contact information is up-to- date in the event that your pet escapes while your belongings are being moved.

6. If you are traveling to your new home and you have to stay at a hotel overnight, make sure your hotel allows for your pet to stay in your room.

Call ahead to inquire whether your pet is allowed to stay inside your hotel room. You may have to pay and extra fee for a pet deposit, but it will be worth it knowing your pet is safe inside with you.

7. Seek the advice of your vet before you move.

Your veternarian knows what is best for your pet. Before you move, contact your vet and describe your individual moving situation and see if he/ she can recommend anything that will lessen the stress of moving your pet.