What is Updater?

Updater is a one-stop solution to help home buyers and sellers move across town or across the country smoothly and efficiently. Dubbed “Turbo Tax for moving” Updater helps you SAVE HOURS on moving-related tasks including forwarding mail, setting up utilities, updating accounts and subscriptions and much more.

It sounded SO great, that I partnered with Updater to provide this service FREE to ALL of my clients!

Updater shared 10 things you need to do 1 month before you move:

Buyers (and Sellers): Prepare for the Move Early

Purge

The first thing you need to do when you prepare for the move is downsize. There’s no point packing or having movers haul things you don’t want or need.

Label a few large boxes as donate, sell, and trash. Go through one room at a time, and put items in their appropriate piles. If you’re interested in donating items, make sure to get a receipt from the organization you’re donating to (you can deduct this on your taxes).

Take Inventory

Taking inventory is an important step that most movers overlook or they simply don’t do because it’s so time-consuming. It’ll help you determine the amount of packing supplies you need and how much insurance you’ll need. Apps like Sortly make this process a whole lot easier.

Compare Moving Companies

Do your due diligence (check reviews, BBB ratings). Get 3 in-home estimates to understand what a reasonable quote is. Make sure that your quote is guaranteed and be sure to ask about hidden fees (such as stairs adding an additional cost to your move).

Gather Important Documents

Put all your important documents in your moving survival box. This includes mortgage papers, insurance binders, bank account information, and school, medical, and vet records.

Start Packing

You don’t want to leave packing until the last minute. Get your supplies early, and take care of a little packing every day. Collect free boxes from your friends and local businesses. Some furniture stores will give you their discarded foam from deliveries that you can use to protect fragile items. Wine boxes from the liquor store are great for glasses.

Change Your Address

You know you need to fill out an official mail forwarding form, but don’t forget to reach out to banks, insurance companies, magazine subscriptions, and anyone else that needs to hear about your move. Don’s clients get to use Updater free for this.

Transfer Your Utilities & Home Services

Whether you need to start, stop, or transfer utilities and home services, such as electric and cable, this should be ordered a month before you move. Double check that everything’s still scheduled shortly before. Don’s clients get to use Updater free for this.

Provide Notice

If you’re not sticking to the same job, giving advanced notice to your boss is a no-brainer. There are some others notices you might miss.

• Provide a 30-day notice to your landlord (if you rent), even if your lease is expiring.
• Let your carpool, places you volunteer and local membership-based activities (gym, karate studio) also know.

Check Prescriptions

If you or anyone in your family takes prescription medication, make sure you have enough on hand before you move. You may need to have a checkup with your doctor before they prescribe medicine, so make sure to give yourself a month or so of leeway. Now’s a good time to start comparing physicians, pediatricians, and dentists in the area, too.

Check apps like Doctor on Demand to find urgent care during the move, and ZocDoc to select doctors, read reviews and book appointments.

Plan Your Route

Check weather and road conditions (keep tabs on your reservation if you’re flying). Reserve hotel rooms with lenient cancellation fees, and get familiar with maps of the area. Roadside assistance is a must for long-distance drives.

Looking to buy or sell? I would LOVE to speak to you! As always, THANK YOU! Don