Assuming that you have either selling your home or giving notice where you are living, it is now time to consider the following activities:

• Find a mover or rental truck by calling several possible companies
• Schedule the mover or truck
• Make decisions about what items you will be taking with you and which ones you will be giving away, throwing away, selling or storing, then schedule any pick-ups or storage of items you will not be taking for before two weeks from your move.
• Start collecting moving and packing supplies you don’t already have from stores or moving companies.  If you have a moving company scheduled to move you, it is a good idea to check with them about what types of supplies to use. 
• You might benefit and enjoy obtaining information about the community to which you are moving.  We have provided some information in this packet, and you can obtain more by contacting the local Chamber of Commerce in the city where you are moving. 
• Make your travel arrangements keeping your plans as flexible as possible.  Keep all receipts for moving related expenses.  It might be a good idea to get information from the IRS about what expenses are deductible.  Some forms to consider are:  IRS Change of Address Form, Form 8822, and Form 3903.  You can download and print these forms as well as read about them at www.irs.gov  
• Make arrangements for your housing needs.  This is a good time to contact us, so one of our licensed Real Estate agents can start checking around to find your best housing options.  Either call 512-828-4470 or go to our web-site and register at www.AustinApartmentStore.com

By this time we have hopefully successfully located your new home, so you have the address of your destination. 

• If you haven’t already done so, it is a good idea to contact your insurance agent (s) to transfer your insurance and/or inform these companies of the date of your move and new address.
• If possible, make provisions for the transport of any medical records including vaccination records, prescriptions, dental records, veterinary records, as well as important documents such as wills and stock certificates.  You also may want to make arrangements to transport jewelry, and family photos with you. 
• If you are not transporting your medical and dental records, you can ask your practitioners to mail them to your new providers once established in your new city.  We have provided some medical information in this packet.
• If you have children, this is a good time to make arrangements for their records to be transferred to their new schools.  A list of local school districts is provided in this packet.
• Contact or visit your local Post Office or online at www.usps.com to obtain a Change of Address form. You can make copies or create your own form for friends, family, banks, insurance companies, doctors, dentist, other service providers, clubs, associations, magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
• Contact utility providers at new and old locations with your moving date to make arrangements for connection and disconnection of such things as telephone, gas, electric, cable TV and trash collection.
• Make banking arrangements with old and new locations for transferring funds.  A list of banking institutions will be included in this packet.
• Check requirements for new drivers license and auto registration in Texas (see the sheet in this packet for Address and Phone numbers to help you with your move).

• Notify your moving company or truck rental provider of any changes in the date of your move.  If you need any other service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, or storage it is a good idea to make these arrangements now.
• Decide how much packing you will be doing yourself and start packing up the items that you do not use all the time.  If you are using a moving company, it is a good idea to obtain some instructions on packing and labeling of boxes from them.  If you are moving yourself, think about labeling your boxes so as to take the guess work out of unpacking. 
• Make any special arrangements you may need for assuring that any vehicles you are not driving to arrive when or soon after you do. 
• Arrange for any houseplants.  If you are moving out of state you may want to give them away.  There are some states that prohibit the moving of houseplants across the state lines.
• Some states also require records of pet rabies inoculations, so it is a good idea to get up to date health certificates from your veterinarian.
• Make transportation arrangements for any pets you will be taking with you.
• Collect up all your valuable jewelry and other important items and get them ready to transport with you.
• Return any borrowed items such as library books and collect all items that are being repaired, stored or cleaned.

• Transfer all prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new city (The names, address, and phone numbers of major pharmacies will be provided in this packet.)
• Clear all your safety deposit boxes.
• Make sure you have what you need to back-up all your computer files to get them ready to transport with you.  Plan to back them up right before you dismantle them for packing.
• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement, and attic.
• Give away or dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped. 
• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids you are taking that are non-toxic and non-flammable in plastic bags.
• Drain equipment you are taking with you, such as your lawn mower, snow blower, and power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.
• Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider, if needed. 
• Call to obtain information for any possible storage needs.
• Have your car serviced and your tires checked, if you are traveling by car.
• Cancel any newspapers and other regular deliveries.
• Clean out any gym or school lockers.

• Separate the items that you are transporting and the ones that are being moved by a mover or going in a truck.  As mentioned earlier, it is a good idea to take your valuable documents, jewelry, and photos with you, if possible.
• Mark the boxes containing breakable items “Fragile”.  Also such markings such as “Do Not Load”, or “Load Last” as appropriate.  If you are using a moving company, you might ask them what markings they prefer.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out.
• Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit.  Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements. 
• Pick up any dry cleaning and laundry.
• Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
• Return videos and library books.
• Prepare items in a special bag for your first nights so you will not need to unpack everything, to get by, on your first night on the road and/or in your new home. 
• Disconnect and clean any appliances that will be moving with your and those that will remain
• Gather keys, alarm codes, garage door openers and be prepared to hand over to the new owner or property agent.
• If you are moving out of a house that will be vacant for some time, it might be a good idea to notify the local police department.

• Packing -- Try to finish your packing today, except for a few essentials in the kitchen and bathroom.  Remember to clearly mark the boxes with the room name as well as “fragile” or “breakable” when appropriate. 
• Dismantle & Disconnect – Unless you have arranged with the moving company you may be expected to dismantle any self-assembly furniture that cannot be moved out in one piece.  Take down curtains and any fixtures you are taking with you.  Make sure you have disconnected the washer and fitted the transit brackets to secure the drum.  Defrost the refrigerator and freezer unless you have arranged to have these moved with the food inside.  Pack the contents into bags so they can be lifted out quickly.
• Snacks – Make up a container of refreshments for when you are moving into your new home, considering that your means of cooking may not be available.  Be sure to include beverages and mark the container.
• Toiletries – Finish packing up your necessary toiletry items last after using them and clearly mark them for convenience at your destination.
• Outside items – Put any outside items, such as lawn furniture and equipment, that you are taking, inside so as to keep it dry before moving.
• Parking – Park your own cars in such a way as to make it possible for the moving company van or your moving truck to park, so as to allow optimum accessibility for packing up. 
• Map – Either write out some directions, draw a plan on how to get to your new address, or have copies of a map for all who need it.  Be sure to include a contact number.
• Cell phone – Make sure your cell phone is fully charged up for tomorrow and remember to take your charger with you, incase you will be on the road for more that a day.     

• If you are using movers, work with them and be on hand when they arrive.  If you are unable to meet them, designate a friend or family member to help out and make decisions in your absence.  Let the mover’s agent know to whom you have given the authority.  Be sure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do and which valuation liability program and amount your have selected.  This person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
• If you are moving your self, just pack up your belongings, keeping in mind in what order you want to unload.  This is where the appropriate markings come in handy.
• Hand over keys, alarm codes and garage door remote controls to the new owner or real estate agent.
• Provide the new phone number and all other phone numbers where you can be reached, while shipment is in transit.  Make sure to take along the destination moving agent’s name, address and telephone number, if using a moving company. 
• Provide the driver with clear direction to your new home.
• Review all paper work and details when the mover arrives, if using a mover.  Accompany driver as they inspect furnishings.
• Do a final inspection before the van operator leaves. Check the mover’s inventory; make sure you agree with conditions of furnishings. Take pictures if necessary.
• Clean your house before the moving van arrives.
• The driver will contact you at least 24-hours prior to arrival. If you will be unreachable contact the destination agent.
• Review you floor plans so that you will be able to instruct the movers where to place the furniture. Make yourself available for instructions and any questions they may have.