Whether you’re moving into a rental property or you’re purchasing a home there are many things you should know ahead of time to make the move less stressful.
The Cost of the Move
Moving is expensive. So before signing a contract for a home purchase or a rental agreement, it’s important to know all the fees upfront. In order to move your belongings from one place to another, you’ll need a truck. If you are first starting out you may be able to do the move alone and avoid hiring movers to save money. While the initial cost may sound tempting, keep in mind that you will pay per mile traveled and you will have to load and unload the truck on your own. If you own many large things, lifting them and then unloading them can present a problem and you may find that the additional cost of hiring movers is well worth the fee. Once you decide which way works best for you there are other supplies you’ll need such as boxes, packaging materials to protect your fragile items and packing tape to keep the boxes secure. Again, you can save money by making a trip to a few local stores and asking them if you can have their boxes, and you can also use linens, newspaper and coffee filters to wrap up delicate items.
Decluttering Ahead of the Move
A great way to save money on your move and unload items you no longer need is to declutter ahead of time. Reducing the size of your cargo will help to save a lot of money on your move. Remember, everything you take carries with it a price tag. And, it will give you some extra space at the new place to pick up a few new items. If some of the things you decide not to take are in good condition you can sell them to help pay for the move.
Additional Fees
If you are renting a home or an apartment you need to check with a few insurance companies to find out not only how much the renter’s insurance is per year but also what does renter’s insurance cover. If it’s a home that you are buying, you will have closing fees which in most cases will include homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, and PMI, unless you have a 20 percent down payment. Additionally, when renting an apartment you will need at least the first month’s rent and a security deposit, which in most cases is the equivalent of a month’s rent. For both, you will also need to have the utilities turned on and cable or satellite services, which may require a deposit up front.
Things to Complete
Once you have a set date for your move you will need to complete a change of address form either at the post office or online so that there’s no delay in receiving important documents and bills. And, if you have school age children you should notify the school of the move and the last day and then authorize them to release the records to the new school. You will also need to notify the electric, gas, water and cable companies and get a shutoff date.
Moving is exciting, especially if it’s moving into your first new home. However, don’t let the hidden costs of a move quickly turn your joy into sorrow and regret. Know the fees and other things involved at both your current location as well as your new place ahead of time. And, then find ways to reduce each one of them and always overestimate the fees. This way when you are done with the move all your costs are accounted for.
