Begin an accounting of receipts from your move. Pay attention to the expenses that may be tax deductible.

Spend time researching moving companies. Be sure and check references and acquire written estimates as well as pickup and delivery dates. Check the maximum insurance coverage offered. You may need to purchase additional insurance.

Make arrangements to rent a storage facility if you need to store any of your belongings for a given time period. Again, check the maximum insurance coverage.

Arrange transfer of your bank accounts as well as order checks with your new Washington address. If you have a safety deposit box, be sure and remove its contents.

Change your property, auto and medical insurance policies. Your existing homeowner’s insurance may roll forward to your new home, or reapplied (with prorated payments) to the future homeowner’s insurance policy.

File change-of-address forms with the post office and notify friends and creditors of your new address.

Request your medical records from your doctor, dentist and other medical providers. If possible, request referrals to new practitioners in your new community.

Contact your children’s schools and/or daycare centers to arrange a transfer of their records to their new schools.

File important documents for your move in a fire-safe box. These items include: social security cards, birth certificates, passports, wills, home purchase/sale papers, school records, marriage/divorce papers, financial records, stock certificates, pet documents, computer back-up files and more.

Research your new community’s laws and requirements with regards to home-based businesses, professional tests, business licenses and any other applicable laws.

If you are driving to your new Western Washington community – whether it’s right off I-5 in Tacoma or it’s trickier to get to like Bainbridge Island – prepare maps and print directions and ferry schedules. In addition, be sure your car has been properly serviced for the trip.

If you are flying, reserve airplane tickets, hotels, rental cars or temporary housing as needed.  

Call your telephone, electric, gas, water and disposal companies to cancel services.

Host a garage sale or donate items you no longer want to local charities. Be sure and obtain receipts for tax purposes.

Start packing items you don’t use very often.  Label each box to keep an inventory.

Clean out your cupboards and plan the rest of the meals you will be eating. This way, you can pack what you do not need.

If possible, measure the rooms in your new home and use floor plans to establish where your furniture will fit.

Research your new community’s requirements for driver’s licenses, vehicle registration and tags.

Confirm all details of the move with the moving, storage, vehicle and pet transportation companies. In addition, confirm hotel, rental car or temporary housing arrangements.

Make note of the items you want to bring with you, including valuable and irreplaceable items. You can also send these types of items by insured registered mail.

Dismantle furniture, rugs, draperies and other such items.

Inspect the yard, garage and any outdoor buildings (sheds, shops, etc.) for items you are taking with you.

Put together a “survival box” for the move. Your box may include: paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, plastic wrap, trash bags, tape, cleaning supplies, scissors, tape measure, paper cups, plastic bags, paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, a can opener, facial and toilet tissue, instant coffee or tea, cream and sugar, soap, aspirin, band aids, bottled water, flashlight, a small tools kit, snacks or drinks, children’s games, address book, spare car keys and more.

Drain oil and gas from chainsaws, lawnmowers, BBQ grills, snow blowers, kerosene heaters and other tools. If you are hiring a vehicle transportation service, motorcycles and cars should have as little gas in their tanks as possible.

Pack all household goods and label boxes for the movers so they can be removed from the house in an orderly fashion.

Clean out and defrost all refrigerators and freezers in the home. Place deodorizer inside them as needed.

Close all bank accounts unless you plan to stay with the same bank, but merely transfer to a new branch.

Clean the home and yard, packing up everything you are taking with you.

Make sure all doors and windows in the home are closed and locked, and all appliances are turned off.

Collect all keys to the home and leave them with the new homeowners, a neighbor or family member, or your Coldwell Banker agent. Be sure and leave your forwarding address and contact information for the future homeowners just in case.

If needed, notify the local police department and/or insurance agent that the house will be empty until the new homeowners take up residence.

Take down the moving company driver’s name and confirm your new address and delivery date with the movers.

Set the thermostat to 55 degrees and turn off the water heater.

Direct the movers about where your belongings and/or boxes should be placed. Watch for damaged items and other issues that may have occurred during the move to Western Washington. Unpack the essentials (i.e. basic kitchen utensils or bath toiletries) first.

Make sure all of the utilities in your new Washington home are turned on and working accordingly. If something is not working properly, contact a repair person to fix the problem.

Notify friends and family that you arrived safely in your new community.

Call your Washington Coldwell Banker Realtor if you need any help pertaining to your new home.