Interstate Moving to Houston--Keeping Your Peace of mind Between the Lines

If you have bought a new house you've probably visited the city and spent a bit of time on the web understanding the new area, checked out schools, and figured out the nearest coffee shop. Now comes the nitty-gritty of the interstate move to Houston--the statigic planning and specifics that are so quickly lost amongst the stress of the stacks of cartons.

Identify Your Budget

Moving is costly. In the event your move is corporate and it's not on your own dollar, skip ahead of the class. If you are paying the bill, be aware that all moving companies are not created equal and shop around prior to deciding the best way to handle a move and which moving company to engage. Check around for referrals, but verify the company you select is part of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association (their license number is going to be on their website and moving trucks). The Better Business Bureau is yet another great resource for top notch moving companies in Houston.

Establish your budget for the move before beginning. You can save money by doing your own packing and driving, and getting labor to load and unload the moving trucks. The majority of movers provide a variety of services so you can decide those that you prefer. This is a great approach to take if you are comfortable boxing the main things, but need help with things like electronics and antique items.

Professional companies won't give you a price quote with no knowledge of exactly what you're moving and how far. Therefore, schedule an in-home appointment and discuss with the estimator everything that you're intending on moving. You should definitely obtain a written quote, look it over carefully and ask questions should there be numbers or specifics that are puzzling.

Arrange Your Packing

It's like eating an elephant, take it a single bite-or box-at the time. Start off purging once you recognize you're moving to Houston. In case you've not used it or worn it in half a year, donate it, pass it on, or trash it. In the event your movers are packing for you, it's a great deal easier to be ruthless with the purge whenever you consider if an item is worth paying another individual to wrap and pack it.

Be mindful of your new life--if you are moving from Minnesota to a exotic climate, leave the polar fleece jacket and winter boots with your next door neighbor. They'll be convenient when you visit and be entirely worthless in place where 65 degrees is considered a chilly snap. Pack up your out of season clothing and toys initially, and work your way to the necessities. A couple of days before the move itself, pack up a duffel bag with the essentials for the day or two you'll be in transit.

Transporting the Transportation

Should you be relocating across the country and traveling by air with your family members, make sure you let the movers know they'll be moving motor vehicles, watercraft, golf carts, covered wagons--whatever's on wheels, it has to go on the truck unless of course you're driving it. Anytime animals are part of the family, often it makes sense for a couple of you to drive with the animals. Consult your vet and check with airlines about pet policies when you first know you're moving. Additionally, organize with the movers on the time allocated for transport, especially if you are travelling by plane. In the event your furniture and television are a week behind, you'll need a place to stay in the interim, and the earlier you make those strategies the better, especially with animals involved.

M-Day Minus 14 and Counting

The previous couple of days before you shut the door for the last time can be a flurry of activity, you need to check these items off your list. 

• Confirm current utilities are shifting or shutting down the day following your move. If you're in a freezing climate on either end, request your realtor to take a look for burst plumbing at the new home in Houston--that's not a welcome home for anyone.
• Ensure the mail is halted and forwarded, and that you have completed the change of address paperwork for bank accounts, health care, and insurance information. You can change your home address online and get a new PO box, but don't forget that the Post Office designates you a box and it's commonly on the bottom row. It's best to go in after you have moved and pick one yourself.
• Make hard copies of important papers, keep them inside a file folder along with you over the interstate move itself. This includes prescriptions, immunization documents for the children and pets, insurance cards, identification documents, and anything you may want to get hold of in a rush.
• Schedule the cable/internet person for as quickly as feasible. Don't fret if their visit coincides along with the movers; they're used to functioning around boxes. It is an occupational hazard for promising to show up whenever within a five-hour window. 

DO NOT LOAD THAT ON THE TRUCK!!!

There are some things that wisdom dictates should never go on a moving van. If you are concerned about driving with a full gas can for the lawn mower inside the car, think about packing a moving truck with lawn tools, fertilizer, and chlorine bleach and starting off cross country to Houston. So, if you happen to have to have a reminder, here are some items which movers will not be permitted to transport. 

• ANY chemicals--household cleaning products, paint and paint thinner, nail polish (honestly) and remover, fertilizer, chemistry sets
• spoilable food
• houseplants--states have polices about adding new species in an effort to steer clear of new unwanted pests as well as fungi. There's no border patrol checking your car or trucks to confiscate your caladiums, but you ought not be the individual who brought in the aphids which killed off the neighborhood vegetation.
• Cash, precious jewelry, stock certificates--keep those with you; moving companies will not be answerable for assets such as this. 

Set up Domicile

What this means is letting the new state know you are coming. You will need to start paying taxes in your new state the moment the ink dries on your new mortgage loan. Let your accountant know you're moving--some states do not have state income taxes! Each individual state has their unique tax rates, regulations, and assorted distinctive regulations. Check your new state's internet site for details on licensing pets, teenage drivers, along with other arcane legal issues you'll want to know. Once you've moved you will need new drivers’ licenses and automobile tags--check to see what the grace period is for new residents. In many states you can sign up to vote at the DMV; again, check the state webpage to figure out the deadline for signing up to be a good citizen.

And, now that you've got this interstate move to Houston under control, think about the important stuff--like deciding your new favorite teams.