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Originally Posted On: The Ultimate Moving and Relocation Checklist – Cami Jones & Company (camijoneshomes.com)

 

You are probably here because got a new job and want to know how to plan for your big relocation to Kansas City. Well, we have put together a very comprehensive relocation checklist for you to use so you can get here and start your new life!

At Cami Jones & Company, we pride ourselves on being experts in real estate and all things Kansas City, so if you have any additional questions after you look over the checklist below, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

Start: 8 Weeks Before Your Move

8 weeks out from a big move is close but you can’t exactly start packing everything up just yet. What you can do is start figuring out your moving plan so that when the time comes, you are ready to roll!

1. Create a moving folder in Google Drive to keep all of the information you need organized.

2. Find out how much house you can realistically afford.

3. Create a budget for your moving expenses. What is the company paying for and what will you have to pay for? This is the time to ask HR or a supervisor about relocation packages!

4. Start researching schools and neighborhoods in the area. Make sure you obtain records from your kids’ current school to take to their new school. Feel free to use our Kansas City Neighborhood Guide to help you narrow down your search!

5. Request time off for a visit to the city. This will give you a chance to see your new office and visit different areas in person. Depending on your company policy, you may also want to request off a day or two for the actual move while you are at it!

6. Sell, de-clutter and donate things you don’t want or need anymore. This is a great opportunity to purge all of that junk that has accumulated over the years!

6 Weeks Before Your Move

Okay, 6 weeks before your move date is when you can really dig in and start working out some of the bigger details relating to your relocation!

1. Contact a realtor in the area and start putting together a house-hunting plan. Your realtor may suggest that you save a few houses online that you would like to see and ask you what your priorities are when it comes to buying a home. Schedule a weekend before your move to go look at the homes you are interested in. Make sure you take this house hunting checklist with you!

2. Get quotes from moving companies or truck rental pricing if you are going the DIY route and reserve or schedule them for your move date(s). If you do hire a moving company, make sure that they are licensed and insured by verifying their DOT number.

3. Start collecting boxes (grocery and liquor stores generally have a ton that they can give you) and packing your non-essential items. This could include that china set that you use twice a year, seasonal clothing, pictures and knick-knacks, etc. Don’t forget to label your boxes!

4. If you are moving across the country, have your vehicle serviced.

5. Perform minor home/apartment repairs. Touching up paint, tightening up hardware screws, etc.

4 Weeks Before Your Move: The Countdown Continues

4 weeks until your move and you are killing it! Now is the time to really start getting those ducks in a row.

1. If you haven’t found a home yet, look into your temporary housing options. You may need to rent a storage unit to hold all of your non-essentials while you continue looking for a new home. A lot of apartment buildings will allow you to rent from month to month. The company that is relocating you may cover temporary housing costs so make sure you ask them about that!

2. Buy clothes that are climate-appropriate. If you are moving to Kansas City from somewhere warm like Miami, look into expanding your wardrobe to include jackets, sweaters, boots, and a heavy coat – especially if you are moving during the colder months.

3. Start collecting boxes (grocery and liquor stores generally have a ton that they can give you) and packing your non-essential items. This could include that china set that you use twice a year, seasonal clothing, pictures and knick-knacks, etc. Don’t forget to label your boxes!

4. If you are moving across the country, have your vehicle serviced.

5. Perform minor home/apartment repairs. Touching up paint, tightening up hardware screws, etc.

2 Weeks Before Your Move: Almost There!

You are almost there! Here is what you need to take care of 2 weeks before your move.

1. Change your address on USPS.gov. You can leave your forwarding address with a neighbor or your property manager to ensure you get all of your mail. If you have to stick it out in temporary housing for a few weeks, you can put a hold on your mail and pick it up at the post office once you are settled in at a permanent address!

2. Use up the food in your freezer. You won’t want to move these food items and you paid good money for them. Get creative and find recipes that you can incorporate your freezer food into.

3. Instruct your current utility company to disconnect services the day after your move and direct your new utility company to install services at least a day before you arrive.

4. Alert your bank, credit card companies and other important parties about your move. If you have your new address, have them update it in their system.

5. Find important documents and make sure you know where they are when you get to your new home – this will save you a lot of headache in the long-run. I.e. social security cards, birth certificates, tax documents, passports, etc.

6. Cancel gym memberships and update your address for any subscriptions you are signed up for that do automatic delivery.

Moving Week Checklist

All of your hard work is about to pay off. Now we have come to moving week. This will likely be the most stressful point in your move, but we are here to help you plan and get through it!

1. Finish packing and clean as the boxes stack up

2. Pack and essentials bag or box. This will contain everything you will need when you arrive so you aren’t digging through boxes looking for important items. Pack clothes for a few days, toiletries, favorite toys and games – pretty much anything you know you and/or your family cannot live without for more than a day or two.

3. Use up the remaining food in your fridge or see if you can donate it to a local food pantry

4. Do a final walk through at the end of the week. Reserve a small box for extra things that you might have missed while packing and clean up any sneaky messes you find.

Moving Day is Here!

You finally made it. Moving day has arrived and you have done an amazing job preparing to move to your new city so. Set your alarm, get a coffee and get ready to start loading up the truck.

1. Put valuables and important documents into a secure bag that you keep with you in the car.

2. Show the movers (no matter if they are a company or friends) around and supervise the loading of the truck.

3. Tip the movers who will not be along for the ride after the truck is loaded. If friends are your movers, reward them with pizza!

3. If you plan to be in the car for a while, make sure you get gas and some snacks for the road.

The experts at Cami Jones & Company know and love Kansas City. Our relocation specialists are here to help you! Let our team help you find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood. Give us a call today!  You can reach our team at 913.521.8806.  Want to come and see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.