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There are two types of people involved in most moves. On one hand, you have the “Dreamers.” They are of the belief that you shouldn’t stress out too much on the logistics of the move, but rather focus on the positive aspects of it.
They are great at conceptualizing how the new space is going to look and getting out and finding the nice little touches that are going to make your new house a home.
Then you have the “Organizers” types. They’re task-focused and need to know exactly how things are going to get done.
The two types can drive each other a little batty, but the truth is you need both perspectives to make a move go smoothly. Too much of the former and nothing gets done. Too much of the latter, and the joy of this exciting new adventure is lost.
This article is for the organizers, or for the Dreamers who want to embrace just enough of the organizer's personality to allow those dreams to go a little smoother. After all, collecting all necessary documentation is a must when selling, buying, or moving.
With such an extensive to-do list, even the most put-together of Organizers may forget something important. We have compiled a list with all the critical documents you’ll need to help simplify your move.
Listed here are some responsibilities that must be taken care of when moving to ensure the moving process goes as smoothly as possible:
One of the first things you’ll likely do once the move is official is booking the movers. Getting a good moving company can make the experience much less stressful, even for smaller moves. They’re pros at this. Your college roommate who just bought a pick-up truck is not. Save money elsewhere. Book a pro to move.
Once you’ve picked your mover, they will provide numerous documents -- the estimate, inventory list, etc. Since you may have to reference these documents throughout the process, it’s good to create a folder where you can file them, along with the other documents we are going to reference, for easy access.
It’s likely that you had a place in your previous space where you kept important financial documentation. Even if it was as simple as a drawer in an old dresser in the spare bedroom, you knew where everything was. It made sense to you.
That’s getting upended with the move.
So, before moving collect all the financial documents you have like credit cards, bank and transaction statements, saving statements, loan papers, income tax papers, tax receipts, and tax deduction bills. Then file them in your trusty binder that will become your best friend throughout the moving process.
Since you’re moving into a new area, you may find yourself needing to demonstrate your ownership of the new property on multiple occasions.
Documents like the selling and buying agreements, lease copies, mortgage documents for your new and old home, insurance policies for your property, and more, should be held on to during and after the move.
If you’ve ever lost your purse or wallet, you know how much of a nightmare it can be to replace them.
Do you know when you are most likely to lose your I.D.? When you’re using it a lot and when you are distracted. Like when you’re moving.
Save yourself the heartache and extra work by only carrying what you absolutely need on your person. Keep other I.D. safe and secure so that, if the unthinkable happens, you will easily be able to locate supporting documents to allow you to prove who you are.
If you have kids, you’re going to need to get them registered in a new school and get them a new doctor, dentist, and other critical services.
Make this easier by keeping your kids’ medical and vaccination records on hand, as new schools will require their medical records.
Not everyone is going to take an EMT. More and more places will, sure, but you still might find yourself stuck in 1997 and being asked to provide a cheque.
Service companies like electricians, painters, and plumbers still require cheques, as do smaller landlords. So, talk a walk down to the back, order some cheques and then file them in with the rest of your critical documents.
It’s better to have them and not need them, than to not have them when they were needed.
The time around a move can feel like a whirlwind. You are constantly moving and constantly having to prove to people who you are and where you are now living. So having proof of new residency is vital to set up your utilities or other services.
Documents that show proof of residency are your lease, homeowners insurance policy, bank statements, paychecks, and more. Make sure you have them safely filed away.
This little bit of planning can turn even the most determined of Organizers into a Dreamer too. And, when we are moving, we all should let ourselves imagine the new possibilities a little, right?
