The process of moving presents more opportunities for mistakes and stress than remaining in one place. Those who move their households, whether in Texas or out of Texas without encountering any trouble, are rare; most people move only when they have to, either by being drawn somewhere by necessity or by having to leave a familiar place for some reason such as limited opportunity or unfavorable situation. In the stress and confusion of moving all your belongings, it seems unavoidable that things will be forgotten and lost, and we are not just referring to your possessions. It takes a lot of careful attention to take care of all the things that have to be stopped in one place and started in another. In order to do all the things you need to do get established, it is good to have a checklist of action items carefully. The checklist that follows is a useful guide, and it can help you get it all done efficiently and effectively.

Your Austin Texas Real Estate Agent may be able to help you with these items.  Just have to ask.

For Your New Community, whether in Austin Texas or anywhere in the U.S.

Get in touch with the Chamber of Commerce of the city where you are moving and ask for a new resident's information packet for the area.

Obtain medical, dental, and school records for all family members to turn over to the medical providers in the new location and the new school.

File a change of address card with the Postal Service alerting them to your new address and the date you will be in the new home. You can do this with a form from the Postal Service, or online.

Set dates and make arrangements to have utilities turned off at your old home and turned on at the new one.

Close or transfer your bank accounts and clear out any safe deposit boxes for transfer to the new bank, if you plan to do so, in the new city.

Get any prescriptions filled that household members may need for the next several weeks.

Preparing for the Move

Arrange for cost quotes from moving companies so you can make sure you have the amount of money you will need to pay for the actual move.

Decide what areas of your new home will be utilized for what function and which of your belongings will go into those areas.

Begin collecting boxes and packing materials if you are packing your belongings yourself.

Sell, discard or give away unneeded possessions that will not be taken with you to the new place.

If you are taking your refrigerator, empty it and defrost it at least 24 hours before it is loaded on the moving truck.

For the Departure and in Transit

Consider packing valuable items in separate cartons and keeping valuable items in separate cartons and keeping items in separate cartons and keep them with you in the car rather than letting them be placed on the moving truck.

Load the moving truck with the items that will be needed first at the back of the truck so that they can be taken off first.

Before the moving van leaves, go through every room and check every cabinet, drawer and closet shelf to be sure you have not left anything behind.

Make sure a friend or family member knows your travel schedule and route just in case there is an emergency or accident while you are on the road.

Upon Completing the Move

Notify people of your new Texas address.

Establish your accounts with the utility and service suppliers in your new place.

Check all household systems and appliances in the new place thoroughly, to be sure that they are working properly and arrange for having repair work done if needed.

Obtain your new vehicle registration and driver's license if you have moved to a new state.

Register to vote in the new community.