Plan for your international move!

Moving to a new world can be stressful, scary, but exciting. Print this checklist to help you make your move more organized so you can focus on more important things...like learning how to say "where is the bathroom?"!

8–12 Weeks Before You Move:

• If you own your home, contact your real estate agent to begin the selling process.
• Establish your preferred moving dates.
• Research your new community by using Bekins on-line moving tools.
  • Compare school districts
  • Obtain free city reports
  • Use our salary and mortgage calculators to compare
• Set up a house-hunting trip to your new city.
• Find out if your employer will be paying for the move, or will be providing you with a lump sum or a direct reimbursement.  If so, discuss Bekins enCompass program.
• Have a garage sale or donate goods you do not want to move.  This will help you save costs on the move.

4-8 Weeks Before You Move:

• Contact your local Bekins agent to schedule a convenient time for a free estimate.  You can find the nearest Bekins representative by using the agent locator.
• Purchase your new home; arrange financing; establish close dates.
• Make a list of everyone you need to notify of your move.
• Obtain change of address cards from your local post office.
• Check with your school on transferring your children’s school records.
• Research driver’s license requirements for the state you are moving to.
• Find out from the IRS or your accountant if moving expenses are tax deductible.
• Contact your insurance agent to discuss your insurance needs for your new home.
• Select a new bank in your new city.
• Begin to organize your medical and dental records.

2 Weeks Before You Move:

• Plan to use all the food in your refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean your home and clear basement and attics.
• Cancel all current delivery services such as newspapers.
• Transfer all current prescriptions to your new local pharmacy.
• Clear out your safety deposit box.  Transfer bank accounts.
• Be sure that you have packed everything in advance.

One Week Before You Move:

• Confirm your travel arrangements for your family.
• Provide contact phone numbers for your Bekins agent so that you are accessible during your move.
• Empty and clean your refrigerator and freezer, clean your stove, etc.
• Only use those household items that you’ll need, such as sheets, towels, a few pans and dishes.  Make sure everything else is ready to be moved.

Moving Day:

• Review all paperwork with your Bekins driver.
• Be available to check off inventory of all items moving.
• Once moving van is loaded, double check that nothing was left behind in closets, basement, attic, cabinets, drawers, etc.

(Source: Bekins)