THE RELOCATION WIZARD®

Let the Relocation Wizard plan your move with a custom timeline. Answer a few questions, then click "create a timeline" and let the Wizard do the rest!  You can also estimate moving costs, compare the cost of living where you are leaving to where you are going.  See Tools at bottom of each page.

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Relocating Strategies -   What are some proven tips to make a relocation go as smoothly as possible? -   When I’m offered a transfer, what are some critical questions I should ask my employer? -   What advice would you give to help me decide whether to sell or rent my house when I move? -   Are there some inside tips to win the mortgage game when relocating? -   How do I carry my credit history with me when I relocate? Moving With Kids & Teens -   Can you share some practical ways to reduce the trauma of moving for all children? -   How do you smooth the move for school-age kids? -   What tips can you give to take the pain out of a teen move? -   Are there special first-day move-in secrets for tots? Seeking a New Hometown -   Beyond the basics what should I look for in a new community? -   We may be transferred again. What is the single most important suggestion you can give us? -   What should we look for in choosing a quality school? -   When and how do you determine the differences between schools? -   When looking for a community what are some advantages of buying a used house? -   We like new homes, but what are some mistakes we should take care to avoid? Packing And Moving -   Are there any tips on how to get ready to move? -   What are some proven ways to make sure movers measure up? -   How can I cut the cost of a move? -   What should I know in order to be ready in case an item is lost during a move? -   What are some moving tips for family pets? -   Any tips on how to keep kids happy during the trip to our new home? Settling In -   In your experience, what are some basic steps to settling in? -   What are your suggestions for starting to feel at home immediately? -   How can I make settling in easier for my children? -   What can I do to help my kids get off to a good start at school? -   What are some critical steps to making a good childcare choice? Transferring Abroad -   Being assigned abroad is both exciting and worrisome. What are some key elements to ensure a successful assignment? -   What are some proven ways to avoid culture shock? -   What are some quick tips for easing kids into life abroad? Special Topics -   How do I decide if accepting a transfer is a good move? -   What relocation solutions do you suggest for single parents? -   I’m moving by myself. What do you recommend? -   What do you suggest if I have to close a real estate deal from a distance? -   What do I do if I can’t move into my new house for quite some time?

RELOCATION TIPS

MOVING TIPS AND CHECKLIST

A Dozen Ways To Plan The Perfect Relocation Whether it's a move across the country or across town, the whole process can either go smoothly or have the overtones of a major life crisis. We've been on hand during transferee moves for some time and have come to the conclusion the "little things" make the difference between a smooth move and chaotic one. The secret is in the details that go beyond the usual common-sense procedures of getting belongings from one place to another. You'll have a better chance of a trouble-free move if you become familiar with our 12 tips to a smooth move.

1. Expect stress.

First and foremost, you should expect a certain amount of stress and be as patient as possible -- with yourself and everyone else. When a whole family remembers to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully, things are easier for all concerned.

2. Fix up and toss out.

When a home is up for sale, the chore of clearing out clutter (for showing the house) can be combined with sorting and packing. Even if professional packers are scheduled to do the big packing job, time is saved at the destination when you personally box many items (off-season clothes, for example).

3. Keep a moving book.

Having a personal moving book (a 3-ring binder plus pocket dividers) helps keep details in their place: checklists, daily reminders, mover information, and, especially, lists of what's where. (One of the most frustrating aspects of moving is not being able to find things that have been shuffled from here to there.)

4. Plan for pets.

Pets need to be planned for as much as any other family members. Change is stressful for animals too. Traveling arrangements should be made early (including necessary shots, certificates, etc.), especially if the pet is to travel by public transportation.

5.Print change notices.

As soon as a home is sold, notices should be sent to alert utility and other services of cancellation dates, to transfer bank accounts and medical records, and to avoid annoying gaps in subscriptions.

6. Return and collect things.

Returning borrowed things (library books, friends' belongings, etc.) should be on your move-out checklist, as well as a reminder to collect things -- from safe deposit boxes, the cleaners, storage places, repair shops, friends' homes.

7. Carry valuables.

It's often safer to carry jewelry, birth certificates and other valuables personally rather than trust them to movers or the mail. School records and proof of vaccinations also have a better chance of prompt arrival if they are conveyed personally rather than left for transfer to busy school and medical offices.

8 .Do the phones early.

If possible, phone service should be installed before arrival, and floors and walls that need refurbishing in the new home should be attended to before moving in, avoiding having to move things around after getting semi-settled.

9. Pack a survival kit.

Packing a survival package takes care of all those small family needs at the new home on the first day: light bulbs, a flashlight, tissues, trash bags, children's toys, pillows, blankets, saucepans, canned food, paper plates, powdered drinks, plastic cups, a radio, a telephone, a hammer and screwdriver, etc.

10. Make tags and licenses a priority.

Remembering to get car registrations helps avoid fines, and transferring drivers' licenses on time saves having to take new road tests.

11. Schedule extra time.

It's wise, if possible, to allow plenty of time to recover, to unpack and settle in. A few days of dining out helps. After all, a home isn't built in a day.

12. Last word.

A prime reminder: Throughout the move, you can rely on your real estate and relocation specialists on each end of the move to help the relocation go smoothly.

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STRESS BUSTERS How To Minimize The Worries Of Moving PETS TO GO Plan A Safe, Comfortable Move For Your Pets HOME SEARCH 101 Tips For Locating The Right Schools RESALES Hidden Advantages Of Previously Owned Homes SMOOTH A Dozen Ways To Plan The Perfect Relocation LINGO 101 Money-Saving Glossary To Key Moving Terms FAMILY MOVE Tips For House Hunting With The Kids TIMING Seven Buying And Selling Secrets To Know Before You Relocate INSPECTIONS Smart Strategies To Make A Home Inspection Work For You SHIPPING Should You Send It, Carry It Or Leave It Behind? Order your copy of any of the above reports here. Copyright 2007, Gooder Group. Absolutely no part of this page may be reproduced or distributed without written permission. All rights reserved by Gooder Group, Fairfax, Virginia,

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