TIPS

Selling

• Curb appeal - clean up yard & landscape
• Wash windows, doors, door jams, garage doors, etc.
• Clean or hire someone to clean the house - bathrooms & kitchen(sparkling)
• Fresh paint or touch up
• Make each room & closets appear larger by storing extra furniture, accessories, clothing, etc.

Buying

• Things to consider when you are going to buy a new home... what school district do you prefer?   When does the school year start there (if relocating)
• Verify with the new school they have openings in the grades/classes you are looking for - be specific asking about this to avoid a problem later
• What is the ideal commute time to work?   Or is this a consideration?
• Get a loan approved before you start looking - (I can refer you to our office loan officer - Semonin offers everything in-house - competitive & all types of mortgages - also insurance)
• What is the time frame you would like to move in?
• Any special considerations?   Let me know.

Moving date?

•  Find out the possession date (can be different that "closing date" so verify that)
• Schedule utilities to be in your name for possession date (remember to close your current utilities)
• Change of address on bills, cards from post office and you will need to "call" to change addresses with your credit card company (not the form when you pay your bill)
• Contact both schools - new school for information to have transcripts sent, etc - old school to sign out & give them info to send transcripts.
• Keep a plastic carry file box for medical papers, school info, last report cards, list of old utilities w/acct #'s in case you have to call them back.  (I used one for each child with their medical, shot records, school info, etc)
• Schedule your good bye parties with your family & friends a couple weeks prior to moving so you can enjoy it more - the last two weeks are busy with move related things.

Kids - relocating

• Ask their input on house hunting - it's important they get excited about the move, their new room, and something special they are will be excited about.   If they can't go with you to look, they can look online or if it's a local move you can drive them by - have a showing for the kids.
• Get books or look online at the new city.  Help them visualize it and find some things you can go see together as a family.  Check out Louisville sites on my website to start with.
• Schedule their good bye parties and see if they can go to a friends while you are packing - have them pack their room or their special things.   At the party - take pictures, get email addresses to help them stay connected.
• When we were relocating - we would have the kids select new bedding, pictures, etc for their new room - TJMaxx, etc - so they would start getting excited about new things (works well for girls)
• Get them some new things or favorite things to travel with and they can use them at the hotel, in the car when house hunting, etc.  & their favorite snacks.