To all new homeowners,
Moving is chaotic and if you are not an organised person, it gets very stressful until you have the boxes in your new home.
I have compiled a “Checklist” for you before and after you move. Some of the things will be related to you and some won’t – but I don’t know what they are, so I have included everything. Please have a read and I hope it will be helpful to you.
To remember
1. Drawing down the mortgage
You will normally need to go to your solicitor to do this. Your bank sends the mortgage documents to them where they will need to be signed and witnessed, your solicitor will go through them with you.
2. Before the settlement
You will arrange a "walk-through" with the salesperson to make sure everything in the home is as you have seen prior to your agreement. You can do this 3 days before the settlement date to give both the seller and you enough time to rectify any issues.
Settlement!
In most residential sales this is the possession date. Being the date, the balance of the purchase price is paid to the vendor and the legal date you may enter the property. If you have a mortgage, the bank transfer the funds via the solicitors. Make sure you have the utilities put in your name and that you have homeowner’s building and contents insurance.
Keys the real estate salesperson can only hand over the keys to the property to you once they have confirmation from the vendors’ solicitor that they are to be released.
Congratulations on your new home!!
CHECKLIST FOR MOVING
Address Change
Give forwarding address to Post Office 4 to 6 weeks before moving
Charge accounts, credit cards
Subscriptions: Notice requires 6 to 8 weeks
Tell your friends and relatives
Bank
Transfer funds, if you changed banks
Update your direct debits accounts or automatic payment account number for your automatic expenses.
Utility Companies
Gas, light, water, telephone, fuel, garbage/garden, internet
Get refunds on any deposits made or cancellations
Delivery Service
Laundry, newspaper, change over of service
Medical, Dental, Prescription Histories
Ask Doctor and Dentist for referrals, transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses. X-rays. Obtain birth records, medical records, etc (if changing doctors)
Pets
Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.
Don’t Forget to:
Empty freezer, plan use of foods
Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place charcoal to dispel odors.
Have appliances serviced for moving
Clean rugs or clothing before moving, have them wrapped.
Check with your Moving Carrier, insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labour, arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment.
Plan for special care needs of infants or pets
Check with Agriculture Department of new area to see if they have restrictions on plants
On Moving day:
Carry enough cash to cover some cost of moving services.
Carry jewellery and documents yourself, or keep them in a safety deposit box before you move.
Plan for transporting of pets; they are poor travelling companions if unhappy
Let close friends or relatives know the route and schedule you will travel including overnight stops, use them as message headquarters
Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty
Leave old keys, garage door openers, garden shed keys / house plans and appliance instruction manuals or any other manuals in one of the drawers, mainly the kitchen and main doors keys with salesperson to provide to the new owner at settlement.
At your New Address:
Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
Check pilot light or stove, for water heater and furnace
Ask postman for mail he may be holding for your arrival
Have new address recorded on Driver’s License
Register family in your new place of worship or local community
Register children in school