Don’t Derail Your Move

Stay on Track with a Move Planner.

So many details to keep track of, all those reminders and to do lists that get lost on bits and pieces of paper, not to mention the hundreds of Post-it notes that are stuck in every room of the house. Add to that, business cards, brochures and pamphlets of communities, real estate and other services you will need like packers, movers, junk hauling services and it all adds up to one giant disorganized mess.  It is no wonder that people throw their hands up and bury themselves in the denial and procrastination that go hand in hand with moving. Don’t derail your move!

One of the best ways to start taming the Moving Beast and taking control of your move is to create a Move Planner.  This is a one stop notebook that contains everything pertaining to your move. This is generally the first bit of advice that I give potential clients. It is designed to pull together all the pieces and parts into one easy to find notebook.  No more hunting for that business card or trying to find which notepad you wrote that information on. All move related information together in one binder. Pretty simple.

What you will need:

• 3-ring binder 
• Dividers – preferably dividers with pockets to hold smaller items like business cards or brochures.
• Hole punch – can be single or 3-hole punch.
• Lined 3-hole paper
• Calendar – with space to write in important dates.  Could be a 12-month calendar or 3 or 6 -month calendar depending on your timeline.

A typical Move Planner would be divided into these categories:

• Calendar to track activities including:
  • Downsizing Sessions, Packing and Moving Dates.
  • Inspections or any work to be done at your old or new residence
  • Dates out of town or important events that could impact your move schedule
  • If you have kids, keeping track of Vacation and Last Day of School days.
• To Do Lists – 
  • If you are a list maker, this is the place to keep those lists and scratch those things off when you are done. When you think you are not doing anything or not making progress, just go and review all the things you have checked off your list!
• Furniture and Space Plan
  • What moves, what doesn’t.  Best way to do this is to go room to room and write it all down and list where it goes.  Are you Keeping, Donating, Selling, Disposing or Gifting?
  • Write down the dimensions so that you have them for space planning purposes.
  • Floor plan of your new space – I highly recommend that you spend time planning your new space.  Will things fit?  What room will it go in?  Thinking and planning a head will save you a lot of time and frustration on the other end.
• Donations 
  • Keep track of what you are donating if you plan to use it for Income Tax purposes. As you bag it up for donation – write it down.
  • Keep receipts in the divider pocket.
• Gifts
  • Who is getting what? Make a list and record the story of where it came from, what is its significance?  If it means enough to gift it to someone, there is probably a story that should go with it.
• Notes and General Information
  • For all the stray bits and pieces of information collected.
• New Residence Information
  • Depending on where you are going this could be Lease or Purchase paperwork, information on the community, building or neighborhood you are moving to.
  • If you have children, this could be new school information and school records
• Service Providers
  • Contact information for the various services: Move Management Companies, Realtor, Moving Companies, Junk Haulers, Appraisers, Handyman Services.  Anyone that you will be using for necessary services.
  • Estimates and Contracts for work and services.

These are the primary components of a well thought out Move Planner.  Depending on each person’s individual circumstances and size of their project there could be additional tabs to track information. For example:

• Art and Antique Appraisals
• Property Appraisals, assessments and buy/sell paperwork
• Estate Tracking information; Beneficiaries, Attorneys, Financial Advisors

The Planner is designed to be easy to find and easy to keep track of where you are at any time in your project’s life cycle. Moves are a life form, constantly evolving. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time, you just pick up where you left off. Taking time to build your binder is the very first step to a successful relocation.  It puts you in the driver’s seat and gives you the power over your own belongings.  Make this your best move.

Christy Urdal is owner of NextStep Transitions, LLC and a relocation and home transition specialist in the greater Seattle area.  She helps people with downsizing, move management, getting their homes ready for the market, and many other home related services.