After you sign the offer to purchase and there’s an accepted offer your house, you know moving day is coming!
But what should you do and when?
This moving guide and checklist with timeline will help you manage your time and tasks to keep everything moving forward and on time. 🙂
AFTER YOUR ACCEPTED OFFER
As soon as you get the signed accepted offer, start the steps below:
Mortgage – Keep working with your mortgage lender and doing all the necessary steps to keep your home loan on track. If you find yourself looking for a great mortgage lender, we have a list of lenders we’ve seen serve clients exceptionally well and make sure to get everything done so home buyers get to the closing table on time.
Home Inspection – If a home inspection contingency is part of your offer to purchase, schedule a home inspection and hopefully, your realtor can be there too (at least Shine realtors usually do this as part of their service for clients).
Declutter – This is the time to sort through all of your drawers, closets, cabinets, and shelves. Remove all items you no longer need or like. Donate or sell items that are in good condition. Trash anything in poor condition that can’t be resold. Read our downsizing tips for bite-sized tips for going through your belongings.
Important Documents – Store your important documents, such as birth certificates or medical records, somewhere safe.
Valuables – Create an inventory of anything valuable you plan to move.
Moving Estimates – Contact moving companies to get estimates if you plan to get moving experts to help.
4-5 Weeks Before Moving
Notice – Give your landlord your 30-days notice if you are currently renting.
Movers – Schedule your movers and/or moving truck.
Packing Materials – Buy or find packing materials. If you’re in the Lake Mills area, here are 8 places to get free moving boxes. Start keeping those boxes and kraft paper from Amazon and Thrive Market too.
Start Packing!
3 Weeks Before Moving
Continue with the steps above, plus:
Appraisal – Your lender should arrange the appraisal if there is an appraisal contingency
Title Search – The title company will complete a title search to confirm a property’s legal owner and identify any claims or liens against it.
- Not sure what some of these real estate terms mean? Our real estate glossary is super helpful!
2 Weeks Before Moving
Continue packing and keeping in touch with your lender, plus:
Home Warranty – Secure your home warranty if you’re getting one. We have two home warranty companies on our Real Estate Resources page if you’re wondering who we typically use for a quality home warranty.
Home Insurance – Get homeowner insurance quotes as you’ll likely need homeowner’s insurance in order to close if you’re taking out a mortgage.
Closing Time – Work with your realtor (who will likely work with the title company) to schedule a time for closing.
Utilities – Contact utility companies to inform them of your moving date (e.g., water, electric, cable, trash)
Change Address – Update your address on everything you can think of so you get your mail and packages (e.g., Amazon, meal delivery, prescriptions, your employer, etc.)
Minimize Groceries – This is a time to minimize grocery shopping and use what you have. The less food you have in the house, the less you have to move and worry about keeping a certain temperature.
Keep Packing!
1 Week Before Moving
Moving day is just around the corner now! Here are things to get done before moving day:
Certified Check – Obtain a certified check for the amount due at closing
Final Walk-Through – Schedule and attend your final walk-through, which is typically 24-48 hours before closing day.
Finish packing! – You’re probably getting to the place where it feels like you’re camping out with the essentials. Pack everything that’s not essential for the last few days!
Pack Essentials – Pack your essentials for a few nights in your new home in a luggage bag so you can easily find it among the sea of boxes after you move in.
Clean – Leave the home behind you in good clean condition for the next residents
Mover Confirmation – Confirm the delivery date and time with your moving company. Give them written directions to your new home and your cell phone number.
Touch Base – Check in with your lender, realtor, landlord, moving buddies, etc. to make sure everyone’s on the same page and you have everything taken care of for the much-anticipated moving day!
- Frequently Asked Questions for Home Buyers
- Is your realtor good? Here’s how to tell!
- Wisconsin’s Top Real Estate Agents
- 50+ Reasons to Pick a Local Realtor
More Home Buying Tips
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