By George Craig, Partner
The purchase and/or sale of real estate often involves a personal move for the parties involved. The following tips are the first of a four part series of advice on how to make your move a smooth transition. These suggestions are not intended to be exhaustive, but may provide some helpful information in the event that you are facing a move either now or in the future.
- Get Organized: The first and perhaps most important step in a move is to get organized well ahead of time. This will minimize inconvenience, hassle and confusion as you get closer to your closing and moving dates.
- Prepare List: Begin organizing your move by establishing one central location for all of the information you will require to successfully complete your move. Include in this list the names, phone numbers and addresses for the following (for both your new and current home): utilities, professionals, insurance, publications, clubs, organizations, financial institutions and licences.
- Utility Services: It is your responsibility to attend to the reading of meters and the payment of accounts with respect to your home sale/purchase. Arrange to have your gas, water, and electric meters read on the day you move out, and to have your utility bills forwarded to your new address.
- Insurance: Contact your insurance agent to ensure that you have appropriate coverage for your new home, and be sure to include coverage for items in transit during your move.
- Change of Address: Notify the post office of your change of address (this can be done at your local office or online at http://www.canadapost.ca). You should also advise your regular mailers of your new address.
- Inventory: Take time to complete an inventory of the assets in each room of your house. Determine with respect to each asset whether it will be: kept, discarded, cleaned, sold or stored. The inventory will also be a helpful record for insurance purposes.
- Cleaning: Any carpets, rugs, draperies or clothes that need to be cleaned should be attended to prior to the move. When you receive the clothing or other items back from the cleaners, store them in their cleaning packaging until the move is complete.
- Food: Check your kitchen, pantry and freezer and make meal plans to use up goods prior to the move. Decide whether the unused food will be moved and if so, how.
- Garage Sale: One way to dispose of unnecessary items is to have a garage or yard sale. This will help you to get rid of any unwanted or unnecessary items, and to reduce the amount items to be moved. A yard sale is a good opportunity to say goodbye to your neighbors and perhaps make a little money to put toward your moving costs. Check whether a permit is necessary.
- Tax Deductions: The last ‘getting started’ tip is to ascertain what tax deductions are available to you with respect to the move. If there are any tax deductions available to you, be sure to keep track of all expenses directly related to your move, including temporary living expenses. For information on tax deductions, check out the Canadian Revenue Agency’s ‘Information about Moving Expenses’ bulletin.
Getting organized is half the battle of moving to a new home. The more you can get done ahead of time, the less disruptive your move will be. Whether you set aside a few days or plug away over a few weeks, organize and eliminate any chaos.