Moving to a New Home

Whether you are just beginning to think about moving, or you have already found the perfect house, this checklist is designed to help you organize and expedite moving day. Of course, many factors must be considered as you prepare, including:

Pre-packing

Pack unwanted clothing and donate to charity. Why pack and unpack those items you're not going to wear anyway? Let someone else benefit and lighten your load.
Consider a garage sale to get rid of furniture, yard tools, collectibles, and other items that do not have a place or use in your new home.
Clean out the attic, garage, basement, spare room, and other rooms of accumulated things. If they have no recycle or donation use, gradually put them out for trash pick up. It is easier all around to have several bulk trash days than to line the street in one day with junk.

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Packing

If you are using a professional moving company, you may inquire about packing services. Many companies will pack everything for you for a fee. For those with little time, this may be the route to go; however, you still may want to pack and transport your most cherished possessions yourself.
Label all boxes. This will help the movers put things in the right place when they arrive at your new location. It also helps you to prioritize unpacking, since you'll know the contents of all boxes.

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Utilities

Make arrangements for your electric service, telephone, gas, water, cable, and other utilities, and be aware that you may have to adjust service and billing on the date you move out. Arrange utilities and services to turn on at your new location before you move in. You may negotiate arrangements with the buyer of your home and the seller of your new home for mutually agreeable utility transfer.

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Mail

Get change of address forms from your local post office to stop mail delivery at your current address and forward all mail to your new address. Visit the post office in your new community to alert them to new resident delivery.
Notify newspaper delivery and magazine subscriptions of your address change.

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Moving day

Friends vs. Movers

Friends and family almost always offer to help you with moving. It is certainly less costly than hiring professionals, but not always. Professionals do this every day. They are physically ready for carrying heavy furniture and know the best way to pack a truck. Friends may have good intentions, but going from a desk job to heavy lifting on Saturday may result in injuries or damaged furniture. A serious injury could even result in unexpected medical bills or even legal problems. It is best to get several estimates from professionals, and then carefully consider the most prudent path.

Pets

Moving can be very stressful for your pets. Try to arrange for them to be out of the house on moving day. Nothing is worse than a run-away cat or dog in the midst of all the moving and confusion. Introduce pets to their new home and help them get comfortable after everyone has left and things are quiet.

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Insurance adjustments

You'll need to adjust your homeowners insurance, transferring coverage from your current to your new location. This may be a good time to shop for new coverage. Your new location may require different coverage levels than your previous coverage. Compare homeowners coverage available through the AICPA Insurance Programs. Coverage is available at affordable group rates and provides options to tailor protection to your specific needs.
You may need to adjust your auto insurance as well. Your new location, commuting distances, etc. may affect your rates. Again, comparison shop for the best deal. Check out Auto Insurance through the AICPA Insurance Programs. Rates are very competitive and provide quality coverage and service. You may also qualify for a discount in combination with your homeowners coverage.
You may also consider rounding out your portfolio of protection by purchasing the AICPA-sponsored personal umbrella coverage PLUS Plan. This policy provides excess liability protection both during and after the move period on both of your residences that you may own. The occasional sale or rental of housing property used as a residence is also covered.
You may need to increase your life insurance to be more in line with your new mortgage commitment and new home expenses, should something happen to you or your spouse. The AICPA Insurance Programs offers several life insurance plans available at affordable rates to CPAs and their families.
If you are moving as the result of a job change, it is a good idea to review all of your insurance coverage at this time. Your new employer may provide different coverage types and levels from what you now have. You may need to fill in some gaps in protection. The AICPA Insurance Programs offers you a wide range of professional and personal coverage plans to meet your specific needs.

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Moving before selling

Moving to a new home before you sell your current property can be very stressful as you not only have to support two properties and mortgages, but you also must assure that the home you leave behind is properly maintained to help expedite a sale. Be sure to transfer all mail and deliveries to your new address. But, you may need to maintain some or all utilities at your old address. Also be sure to arrange for grass cutting in summer, leaf clean up in fall, and snow removal in winter. The house should appear as lived in as possible. If you can leave some furnishings behind, this will also help sales appeal. Your realtor can offer you sound advice on handling this transition.

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Your moving checklist

Moving can be quite overwhelming at times; however, The AICPA Affinity Programs can help make your move and related life events smooth and easy by providing mortgages, discounted long distance phone service, credit cards, and more. With a little organization and planning, you can minimize much of the hassle and frustration. To stay on track with your move, consider the following checklist. It just might transform this monumental task into an exciting and rewarding experience.

Checklist		Yes	No
1.	Have you cleaned out possessions before packing?
2.	Have you filed a change of address form with your post office?
3.	Have you notified newspaper and magazine subscriptions of your address change?
4.	Have you contacted your electric company?
	Terminate at current address
	Turn on at new address
5.	Have you contacted your phone company?
	Terminate at current address
	Turn on at new address
6.	Have you contacted gas and water companies?
	Terminate at current address
	Turn on at new address
7.	Have you contacted your cable TV provider?
	Terminate at current address
	Turn on at new address
8.	Have you notified fuel, oil, or other delivery services?
	Terminate at current address
	Turn on at new address
9.	Have you labeled boxes as you pack them?
10.	Have you arranged transport of cherished valuables?
11.	Have you adjusted insurance coverage?
	Auto
	Homeowners
	Life
	Others
12.	Have you made arrangements for pets during the move?
13.	Have you changed your auto registration and drivers license, if needed?
14.	Have you notified neighbors, family, and friends of your new address and phone number?

This handy checklist can be a valuable resource whether you're shopping for a new property or in the midst of a move. In the next segment, we'll discuss important tips for managing your career and provide another practical checklist you can use in everyday practice.

This narrative is provided simply to point out some of the issues and concerns attached to any of the Life Events, and it is not intended to be dispositive of all of the issues or concerns possibly confronting individuals dealing with such Life Events. Any individuals wanting or needing additional information should contact the appropriate professional, whether an attorney, a financial planner, a retirement planner, etc., to receive such information and guidance.