Home Moving Checklist

GET ORGANIZED!

Our comprehensive moving day checklist will help you keep track of important tasks and reduce the stress that comes with moving. There’s one proven key that will make the difference between a problem-free move and a chaotic one.

Organization is key!

Here’s the checklist and our best recommendations for an easier and more efficient move.

Two months before

  • Sort and purge. Go through every room in the house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you’ll get rid of.
  • Start investigating possible moving companies (if required).
  • Organize school records. Go to your child’s school and ask that their records be transferred to the new school and what is required to register.
  • Contact your doctor, dentist & vet and have them transfer your family’s records to the new doctor if you’re switching clinics.
  • Contact your insurance provider and update them with your new address and details.
  • Use it or lose it: start using up old cleaning products, perishable foods and items in the freezer.
  • Get enough packing supplies like boxes, tape, markers, labels etc.

One month before

  • Book your moving company or truck rental.
  • Schedule disconnection/connection of utilities at your old/new place: phone, internet, cable, water, gas, electricity and water heater rental (if applicable).
  • Begin packing boxes of items you don’t regularly use. Make sure to label each box clearly!
  • Fill out a “Change of Address” form at Canada Post and set up mail forwarding to your new address.
  • Order new address labels or stationery.
  • Notify important parties of your move: banks, insurance, employer, magazine subscriptions, credit cards, cell phone provider, gym membership, drivers license, health card, taxes, etc.
  • Arrange for cleaning or repair of furniture or carpet if necessary.

Two weeks before

  • Book moving day off of work and arrange for care of the kids or pets that day if needed.
  • Call to confirm your movers.
  • Plan your meals so you don’t have leftover food to pack.
  • Notify newsletters/newspapers of your move.
  • Return all borrowed items (library books, movies etc.).
  • Send a change of address note to friends and family.
  • Pack a specific box with fresh towels and linens that you’ll be able to find easily at the new house so you won’t be searching for them!
  • Continue packing and cleaning as you go.
  • Compile a package of warranties, instruction manuals etc. from your current home that might be useful for the new owners.

A few days before

  • Defrost the freezer.
  • Clean the fridge and oven.
  • Get payment ready for the moving company.
  • Make a schedule/action plan for moving day.
  • Give each room a good once-over cleaning as a courtesy to the next owners.
  • Set aside boxes you’ll be moving yourself.
  • Make sure you have the room.

On moving day

  • Ensure all appliances and fixtures work on moving day.
  • Change all batteries in smoke detectors.
  • Make sure carbon monoxide detectors work.
  • Pick up a garbage collection calendar from the city so you’ll know when your pick-up day is.
  • Say hello to your new neighbours!

GET CLEANING!

One of the most important and often forgotten tasks when moving is cleaning!

Obviously we are all busy on moving day. Most of us even close two homes on the same day. However, once we leave with the moving truck, it’s important to consider the condition we’re leaving the home in for the new owners.

Be a courteous seller and welcome them with a clean home.

  • Clean out appliances such as stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers. Nobody wants to open the fridge at their new home and find old rotting food
  • Rooms should be left in “broom swept” condition. Meaning, once your stuff is moved out, sweep up those long-lost dust bunnies so the new owners don’t have to. Better yet, do a quick vacuum of the space.
  • Give the counters and remaining surfaces a quick wipe-down. It’s just a nice touch.
  • If cleaning the house seems like a daunting task, consider hiring a cleaning service to do a good once-over for the new owners.

WHAT SHOULD BE LEFT AT THE HOUSE?

It’s a good idea to know in advance of what should be staying with the house, and what should be taken away with the previous owners.

Fixtures

A fixture is something that is permanent or attached to the home/property and is deemed to be included in the purchase price unless specifically noted otherwise.

While a pool and its equipment appear to be an obvious fixture, items of contention include:

  • TV wall-mounts
  • drapery hardware
  • shelves
  • bathroom mirrors
  • lighting

If it’s screwed, glued or nailed to the wall of your house, chances are it’s considered a fixture.

Chattles

A chattel is a movable possession owned by the seller which can be removed from the property without causing damage. Examples of these may include:

  • the fridge
  • the stove
  • the washer and dryer

Chattels are usually excluded from a purchase, unless specifically noted in the inclusion section of your agreement.

Buyer’s Tip: Add inclusions you want

Never assume that something will be left behind for you. If there is something specific you want the sellers to leave behind, have your real estate agent put it in the inclusions section of your offer to purchase the home.

Consider the major appliances, draperies, or anything else you would like included. It never hurts to ask.

Your final walk through leading up to your closing date is a great opportunity to take a look around for any missing items that are supposed to be included, and rectify any problems prior to close. Bring a copy of your Agreement or have it handy on your phone to make sure that all items are present and accounted for.

Seller’s Tip: Clarify what is included

It is important for you to clarify what is included with the sale of the home. If you have a sentimental attachment to the light fixture in your daughter’s room and the retro mini-fridge in your bar, make sure they are noted in the EXCLUSIONS section of your listing.

Keep in mind that you may need to replace them with something comparable for the new owners.

DON’T STRESS MOVING DAY!

Your moving day will come together one way or another. With a bit of organization and some planning in advance, your move will be smooth and you’ll be under your new roof in no time.

DOWNLOAD A FULL SIZE PRINTABLE CHECKLIST

*All information provided by the Brantford Regional Real Estate Association (BRREA) and ITSO for the highest sales volume and highest number of completed transactions since January 1, 2015. All Brantford MLS® House Listings come from the various systems operated by Real Estate Boards and Associations across Canada. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used underlicense. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

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