Moving Checklist for Canada

So you are moving this Spring, eh?

A move across town or across the country can mean many stressful hours of unproductive time as hundreds of details are tended to. Things that are forgotten or not done in the right sequence can delay an otherwise smooth move or create additional stress.

The key to a successful move is proper planning. The move actually begins long before moving day. Many things can be done comfortably in the days, weeks and months leading up to the move.

If you have a few months before your closing date, you can begin by itemizing a checklist of all of the things that need to be taken care of.
Will you need to make repairs or upgrades to your existing home? If so, begin that as soon as you can to avoid a last minute scramble.

Boxes can already start to be packed and stowed in a basement, closet or garage. This is the time to seperate the give-aways, throw-aways and keepers.

Items in good condition that are no longer needed can be donated to charity, listed on ebay or kijiji, or you can even have a garage sale.

During your next visit to the store, start collecting boxes, but be aware that some boxes may not be strong enough for your moving needs. To that extent, you can buy uniform and sturdy packing boxes which may make loading and unloading easier.

Even though you have not moved yet, begin planting your new leg by learning more about the community resources, schools, post office, bank and other needs in the new place. Plan ahead for travel as airfares are climbing again and there are less overall seats available as airlines have cut back during the recession.

Be sure to keep your important documents together to avoid misplacing them during the move. Also include family heirlooms, jewelry, coin collections and other items of value in the safest place that you can personally tend to during the move.

Once you get close you will want to complete a change of address form at the post office and notify anyone who regularly sends you mail.

Start thinking about your storage needs for excessive items during the home staging process if you are selling your home in order to declutter, or about storage needs to accommodate interim plans until the new place is ready.

Call all of the utilities, phone company, cable and others to arrange a shutoff date.

You can also label boxes as to what room they will go in when you get to the new home in order to expedite the unloading.

Once you get to moving day, preparation will have helped you make this transition in your life smooth. Good luck in your new home!

If you are buying a home in the GTA - Greater Toronto Area including Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Hamilton, West Toronto or other Southern Ontario neighborhood and need the best Ontario mortgage rates, call the Mortgage Medics Team.

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