I Want to Buy

There are several things you can do to make moving into your new home easier. Starting early and keeping organized rather than leaving everything to the last minute is probably the number one thing that you can do to make your move easier. Make a list of everything that you will need to accomplish and organize it into different time horizons.

One month before your move

• • • Start selling what you don’t need! Use sites like Kijiji, Ebay, and Facebook Marketplace.
    • Clean out your closets, basement and garage. Donate unused items to your favorite charity or have a garage sale to help pay for some of your move. (Can’t decide whether to sell it or move it? Consider how much you could sell it for versus what it will cost to ship it.)
    • Get packing supplies; tape, boxes, tissue paper, bubble wrap, markers.
    • If this is a big move, start packing items of limited use prior to your move. Pack up things like photo albums, books, and seasonal decorations.
    • If you’re packing items that will go in storage, make an itemized list of each box and its contents.
    • Start a log of moving expenses and keep all your move-related receipts. Some items may be tax deductible.
    • Find a reputable mover. If you’re hiring professional movers get written estimates from at least two moving companies; include their written commitment of pickup and delivery dates. Ask for and check references. Check the limits of insurance they offer and whether or not it covers replacement costs. Purchase additional insurance if you need it.
    • DIY movers be aware that while you can book a U-Haul well in advance, they don’t guarantee there will be a truck for you, only that they’ll do their best. If you can move mid-week and avoid month-ends, you should be okay.
    • If you don’t intend to clean your home or carpets yourself, arrange for cleaning services now as they get booked up.
    • Advise regular tradespeople (gardener, house cleaner, nanny, etc.) if you’re moving out of their service area. Look into service providers for your new home.
    • If you are currently renting, make sure to give your landlord in writing the required notice to vacate (typically a full calendar month).
    • If you own rental properties, make sure to give your tenants a Notice of Landlord with your new street address (this is a legal requirement)

Two weeks before your move

• • • Arrange for disconnection or transfer of your utilities (power, gas, cable, telephone, internet, security company). Get back any security deposits.
    • Set up mail forwarding with the post office. A one-year term will ensure that annual items will reach you, like T4s, tax papers, or outstanding bills (from the utility companies who couldn’t get it right!).
    • Arrange to transfer or close your bank accounts. Order cheques with your new address and phone number.
      Empty out your safety deposit box.
    • Stop or transfer newspaper and other home deliveries.
    • Advise friends, family and professionals of your new address and phone number. (Don’t forget your doctor, dentist, chiropractor, and other medical professionals, schools, library, accountant, financial adviser, credit card companies, mortgage provider, Canada Revenue Agency [Revenue Canada], Motor Vehicle Branch, frequent flyer plans, your employer, medical plan, magazine and other subscriptions.)
    • Obtain/transfer all doctor, dental, veterinary records including prescriptions, X-rays, records, etc. Make sure you have adequate medications on hand for your family and pets.

One week before your move 

• • • Clean your home or confirm cleaning services.
    • Confirm delivery address, phone number and delivery date with the movers.
    • Clean out and defrost the freezer. Eat up all that food!
    • If you’re moving to another city, pick up dry cleaning, prescriptions, photos, repair items, or anything else left outside your home.
    • Collect any spare keys from neighbors, cleaners, family members, etc.
    • Clean out school or gym lockers.
    • Return library books and any other borrowed items.
    • Contact ALL your utility companies and anyone who sends you a bill and give them your new address. Make sure to pay off any amounts owing. Record the names of who you talk to, and date and time, as these companies invariably screw something up, which then becomes your fault, not theirs.

A few days before your move

• • • Complete packing all household goods for the move. Make sure boxes are clearly marked with the room they will go in, as well as “Fragile” if necessary.
    • Keep things you will need like your phone charger handy.
    • Place important documents in a safe box that you will carry. Include home purchase/sale papers, will, financial records, passports, birth certificates. Mark “Do Not Move” on the box; move this box yourself.
    • Prepare an “open first” box with towels, bedding, basic kitchen and bathroom supplies, toys or games for your children, tools (hammer, screwdriver) to set up furniture.
    • Set aside some cleaning supplies for final clean up of your old house and light cleaning for your new house
    • Label all keys for new occupants
    • Place all appliance manuals and warranties, etc in one place for the new occupants.

Move day!

• • • Keep your cell phone handy in case you need to contact your movers, etc.
    • Make a note of all utility meter readings.
    • Carefully supervise the move. Make sure your instructions are understood, and that boxes are delivered to the right rooms.
    • Check all the rooms, closets, drawers, and cupboards to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
    • Turn down the thermostat.
    • Lock up and leave labeled keys and garage door openers with the landlord, new owners or real estate agent.
    • Arrive at your new home before the movers. Show the movers where to put boxes and furniture.
    • Check that you’ve been given the keys to every lock in your new home.
    • Carefully review the movers’ bill of lading before signing.
    • Check for damaged items.
    • At your new home, make sure the utilities are on and working properly.
    • Unpack your “open first” box. Set up your bed; unpack the kitchen and bathroom to help you feel at home.
    • Relax, order in dinner, and take a long hot bath.

After your move

• • • Unpack, then donate or flatten and recycle boxes.
    • Change the address on your driver’s license and car insurance.
    • Arrange Out-of-Province inspection of your car if applicable.
    • Install carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher.
    • Hide a spare key.
    • Plan your housewarming party!
    • Recommend your mortgage broker and
    • Realtor to all your friends!