Regardless of where you are in the home buying or selling process, you will want to develop a to-do list that will help make your move as painless as possible. Here are some suggestions.

Getting Ready to Move  

• Submit your change of address to the US Postal Service. You can do so online by going here.

• If you're moving a long distance, make arrangements with a moving company and make other travel arrangements (such as airline tickets) if necessary. 

• Obtain your medical and dental records, and ask your doctor and dentist for referrals, and transfer prescriptions. 

• Inventory your belongings before you pack, in case you need to make an insurance claim later. Take photos or video and record the serial numbers on your electronics. 

• If necessary, make arrangements to transport any pets. 

Initial Planning  

As your move approaches, be sure to keep the following items in mind:  

• Make the appropriate arrangements for power, phone, water, trash, and gas service. If necessary, also call the cable company that will serve your new home to set up installation. 

• Inform credit card companies, magazines to which you subscribe, and other applicable entities of your new address. 

• If you plan to move yourself, don't wait too long to ask friends and family for help on moving day. Also call at least a month or two in advance to reserve a truck if needed. 

• If you are switching banks, make sure your funds are properly transferred to the new bank and that there are no outstanding transactions when you close your old account. 

• Keep important documents with you as you travel to your new home. 

Packing Up the House  

Many of us would enjoy our move more if our houses could pack themselves. Until an incredibly brilliant scientist figures out a way to make that happen, here are some helpful tips:  

• Stock up on packing supplies such as tape, boxes, bubble-wrap, scissors, newspaper, permanent marker and tissue. Pack electronics in their original boxes if possible. 

• Be sure not to load more than 50 pounds worth of your belongings in one box. Smaller boxes, even though you will use more, are easier to pack and transport. 

• Label your boxes according to the room they need to go in. If you plan to keep some boxes for future use, place a piece of masking tape on the box and write on the masking tape so you can remove it later. 

• Use towels and blankets to wrap fragile items if needed. You'll keep your valuables safe and save space at the same time. 

• Clearly mark all boxes containing fragile items and avoid stacking heavier items on top that might crush or damage them. 

Moving Your Plants  

If you have plants that you wish to take with you, check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture office to make sure you are not violating any restrictions, especially if you are moving to another part of the country.

Once you have determined there is no problem with moving your plants, the following steps will help you ensure a smooth move:  

• Prune plants to make them easier to pack. About a week prior to your move, pack your plants in a black plastic bag with a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder. Place the closed bag in a cool area to kill pests in the soil or on the plant. 

• The day before the move, put the plants in cardboard containers and pack dampened newspaper or packing paper around the plants. Cushion the leaves with paper and place a layer of wet paper on top to keep them moist. Label the boxes "DO NOT LOAD" so they won't be put in the moving truck. 

• Before loading the boxes in your car, punch holes in the top. Park your car in a shaded area in the summer and a sunny spot in the winter. 

• Unpack your plants as soon as possible upon arriving at your new home. Remove plants through the bottom of the box to avoid breaking the stems. Gradually expose the plants to light for best results. 

Moving Pets  

To make moving to a new home easy on your pet, take note of these helpful suggestions:  

• If you are transporting dogs or cats in your car, be sure to bring food, water, a leash so you can let the pet out, and newspaper or sheets to protect your seats. You will need to make frequent stops along the way. 

• Cover cages with a cloth when transporting hamsters, birds, and other small animals to help keep them calm and quiet. Have food and water available for them as well. 

• If you are flying and plan to transport your pet in the baggage compartment, you will need a health certificate from your vet, a container that complies with airline regulations, tranquilizers to give to your pet just before heading off to the airport and a cloth with your scent to comfort the pet in-flight. 

• Moving fish can be difficult and put the fish at risk. Consult with your local pet store for recommendations on how to move them. 

Moving Day  

Moving day will no doubt be an extremely busy time, so create a checklist to ensure all goes smoothly. Consider the following ideas:  

• Pack a personal travel bag containing a small supply of bath supplies, grooming items, change of clothing, etc. and keep it with your during the move. 

• Load immediate needed items such as a small tool kit, kitchen and cleaning supplies, bedding, bath items, to the back of the moving truck so you can access them as soon as the moving truck arrives at the new house. 

• Make sure you keep your important documents, jewelry and other valuables with you. 

• Check your kitchen drawers/cabinets, closets, shelves, basement, and attic once the moving truck is loaded to make sure you have not left anything behind. 

• Verify your flight is on schedule if traveling by air. 

• Collecting all house keys so they can be given to the new owners. 

I wish you good luck on your move! Please call or email me if you have any questions or needs.