Moving Made Simple

Phoenix Market

2021 Trends

Inventory

Sellers Market

Arizona Real Estate

Lindsay Mozena

Founder · Vista Group Realty

There is no doubt that moving can be a daunting process. From picking a new home to managing all of the little details, let us help facilitate the process and streamline that To-Do list. Follow our weekly guide to keep your move hassle free and on track.

8 Weeks Before

Location, Location, Location- pick the new area you want to live. If you are unsure, determine which is most important in your new home: Neighborhood, Commute, Schools, Amenities, Size of Home, Price. Then pick the area that meets that criteria.
Research schools, crime rates, flood zones, community details, HOA’s
Declutter your home and get it ready to sell.
Donate everything you don’t use or wear anymore.
Get moving boxes, packing tape, paper/plastic bags, sharpies.
Pack away all non essential items.
Speak to a lender and get pre-qualified.
Gather all documents for the lender. (W-9’s, 1099, Tax Returns, etc)

6 Weeks Before

If moving out of state: Gather all important items: medical files, school transcripts, prescriptions, trust documents, etc.
Start shopping for new homes and get your house on the market with your Vista Group Agent
Determine the type of movers you need: large cross country transport, large item’s moved only, DIY POD/UHaul
Get your car tuned up and ready for the road if moving across country.
Set aside cash for the home inspection, appraisal, and Earnest deposit.
Make an offer on a new home.

2 Weeks Before

Request time off work (the signing appointment may be scheduled last minute, so try to make your schedule as flexible as possible the day before and day of closing)
Make an OPEN FIRST box and pack overnight bags for the first few days.
Pack everything else that doesn’t go into the open first box and the overnight bags.
Refill prescriptions if needed and transfer the prescription to a pharmacy near your new home.
Set up intro appointments for doctors, schools, attorney’s, CPA’s near your new home for after closing.
Gather important items and place into plastic container that includes: important documents, checkbook, credit cards, medication, phone and charger, laptop and charger, toilet paper, jewelry, snacks and water, kids toys and blankets that they will need, flashlight, tape measure, toolbox, trash bags, paper towels, cash, and any other valuables.

1 Week Before

Get the house cleaned and schedule carpet cleaning.
Disconnect large appliances and defrost freezer.
Confirm time with the movers.
Disassemble furniture.
Donate food and any remaining items you won’t be taking with you.
Gather all keys, garage remotes, mailbox keys, community keys, and homeowner manuals and place in a cabinet in the kitchen for the new homeowner.
Schedule to stay in a hotel or with friends/family for a few nights if your move in and move out days aren’t the same day.
Move all boxes to storage or to a front room of the house so that movers can be quick and efficient.
Organize all old paint and house supplies and put them on a shelf in the garage.
Label electrical box and pool equipment for the new homeowners.
Replace all burned out light bulbs

Moving Day

Meet the movers and supervise load in
Do final touch up cleaning.
Lock all windows and doors.
Disconnect/Shutoff Utilities at Old House.
Confirm Utilities Turned On at New House.
Place carpet protector over high traffic carpet areas at new home.
Clean new home if needed.
Show moving crew around.
Watch for damaged and missing items.
Pay the movers.
Assemble furniture.
Start Unpacking.
Enjoy your new home!

Important things to note:

Your close of escrow date is the ESTIMATED closing date. Many factors impact this date and could result in the closing being delayed by a day or a week. Be prepared and schedule your moving so that you don’t feel panicked when things change last minute. Give yourself a buffer of a day or two.

If you are moving out of one house on day one and into the new house the same day, this could present a lot of last minute stress. The ideal way to handle this is to be fully moved out of your old house within 48 hours of your close date. Then on closing day, get the keys to your new house after it records and start moving in. Now we always get a slew of questions like: Where do I stay? Where do you I store my boxes and furniture? I don’t want to move twice, why can’t I take my time and move out?

Well once the house records, it belongs to the new owner. Just as you are excited to move into their new home, I’m sure the buyers for your house are excited too. There are a lot of different ways this could get handled and it isn’t a cookie cutter approach and should be handled on a case by case basis. Common ways people handle this situation is to rent a storage unit ahead of time and place your big boxes and furniture in there. Then they stay in a hotel and have a mini staycation a few days before they close. Some people rent a U-Haul or a POD, fill it up, and park it outside the house then do a staycation for a few days before closing. On closing day they move it to the new house. Budget conscious clients will have the entire house packed and movers scheduled to be there at 7:00am on closing day so that they can get the house moved out within a few hours, giving them plenty of time to clean before the title gets recorded in the new owners name. Another option may be that your Real Estate Agent is able to negotiate a pre-posession or post-possession agreement which will allow for you to take your time to move into your new house early or move out of your current house after it closes. There are many options that fit many personalities, pick one that fits you the best and makes it a seamless and smooth process.