Closing can be stressful for anyone, especially for the first-time home buyer.  Therefore, take the time to learn about the process as much as possible so that you are keenly aware of what will happen.  There are steps that you can take ahead of time to prepare yourself to make closing as smooth as possible.  This includes making sure your finances are in order.  Beyond being pre-approved, you need to have the earnest money for the transaction. Further, you need to communicate with your lender what steps you need to be in place for closing.  Once you get your closing instructions from your realtor, follow them in a timely manner.  You want to make sure everything is ready on the day of close.  This includes having your earnest money, your homeowners insurance and identification and any other forms of documentation noted in the closing instructions.  A delay in closing is a nightmare that everyone involved wants to avoid because it has cascading affects from your move date to the transfer of money.  Therefore, all of the professionals involved will do their best to make that closing date.  Keep in mind that once you have agreed to the terms of the sale, a realistic closing date is approximately a month later.  There are cases where you will be able to close earlier and there will be situations where you will close later.  Be patient and flexible and do your best to meet your responsibilities and hope that your counter part in the transaction will do the same.  If so, chances are closing will happen without any trouble.  Often times this is the case.  However, there are times where problems can arise that can derail the process and delay closing.  Keep in mind that a conventional sale of property is the easiest of the transactions.  However, a short sale or bank-owned property can be tricky.  Therefore, if you are purchasing a short sale or bank-owned property, be patient and listen to your realtor.  You may be getting a fantastic deal on the home but it will cost you time and some patience, so be prepared.  

In the end, the better prepared you are by having all of your documents and financing in order, closing should be an hour at best with you leaving with your keys in hand.

Moving out of an apartment takes some planning and forethought.  It is important to do your due diligence to ensure that you have everything ready for the day you move.  Take the time to understand your apartment complex’s regulations about moving.  Find out from your leasing or management office or landlord what is expected.  There may be scheduling requirements that you need to consider.  Therefore, you want to contact them as soon as you know you are moving.  This is especially important if parking is limited and/or you have a freight elevator to reserve.  These steps are critical and you do not want to overlook them, especially as you work with your professionals here at Starline.  You need to coordinate schedules between access to your apartment facilities with the date of your move in order to prevent any trouble on that day. Your professionals here at Starline will do their best to be flexible.  If there are any changes, keep in mind to notify your Starline representative as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to coordinate stopping service with your utilities along with your move out date.  Clarify with your utility company what you need to do and give them your forwarding address for your closing statement. 

 Most of you will move your computer as a part of your moving experience.  Even if your personal computer is mobile and you will be taking it with you, you still want to take the time to prepare for the move.  You want to make sure that you back up all of your files on a separate device from your computer.  This is very important in case your computer is lost, damaged or stolen, while you are in transit.  You want to make sure that you have any flash drives, power cords and other accessories that you may need if you plan to take them with you as well.

On the day of the move, mention to your professionals from Starline that you want your wireless equipment packed last.  This will enable you to conduct your business without interruption on the day of the move.  

Another important thing to consider is whether or not you are moving to another country.  Take the time to research whether or not the country has the same type of electrical circuitry.  If not, it will significantly impact the use of your machine.  If you are not careful, it could even harm it.  Therefore, you want to take the time to find out what is available in your new location and how it will impact you and your equipment.  Follow up with a phone call to your computer company to get answers to any questions you may have.

As you prepare for your relocation, taking the time to find the right corporate housing is an important part of your move.  The key to finding the right corporate housing for you and your family is to identify your needs ahead of time.  Start with your length of stay, budget and you and your family’s needs.  This will help you assess the type of facility you will need.

There are all types of accommodation on offer to make life easier while you are on relocation.  If you are going to be in transition for an extended period time, you may want to consider a place that has convenience items like linens, dishes, laundry and kitchen facilities.  This is especially important if you have a family with you.  It will save you money and keep some sense of normalcy during the process because you will be able to eat in and do laundry.  There are places that will accommodate young children.  They have special bunk beds, themed rooms and gaming equipment.  This will help keep your children entertained and give them an opportunity to participate in choosing where to stay.

Taking some time early on will pay dividends in the future.  If you find just the right place, you and your family will have the comforts of home before you move to your new home.

Moving to a small town can be an adjustment, especially if you have grown up in a large city.  A small town will have a quaint feel and a small community.  The lack of the ‘city buzz’ will be the first thing you will notice.  No traffic.  No rush.  No noise.  People you don’t know will greet you without reason.  Their cordialness may surprise you and take you back.  

The one blinking traffic light in the center of town will clue you in to the fact that you are in a small town.  The one main street in town will be the hub of activity.  People will recognize you as the ‘new’ person in town.  As long as you are seen as making an effort, folks will warm up and get to know you. 

It will take some time for you and your family to adjust to the pace and environment of a small town.  From the smell to the noise and the way folks interact, everything will be different.  Even though folks may take some time to fully embrace you within their community, keep in mind that they will be friendly and cordial.  You will have to make the effort to make these connections in order to make the transition.  Take the time to find out about the social activities and events in town.  It may just be a small bar where everyone meets one day a week to socialize.  Once you know what folks have on offer, take full advantage.  It is important to realize that even if you have found yourself in a place that is outside your comfort zone, making the effort to assimilate will make all the difference in the world.

In the hustle and bustle of the move, you may not have medical records on your mind.  However, if you will have to find a new doctor in your new place, it will be important to make the effort.  Making sure that you have access to your records and medical history will make it much easier to find your new doctor. It will also help you educate your new practitioner on your needs and health issues.  

Before you move, you want to discuss this with your current doctor and find out the right protocols for transferring your medical records.  Make sure that you fill out the adequate paperwork ahead of time to allow for the transfer.  This will make it easier for your new doctor to request your medical records and cut down on any delays.  

In addition to taking these steps, a great tool is having your own medical journal.  It is a fabulous resource because it enables you to catalog your own medical history and you can have that to hand when you visit your doctor.  This will help your medical practitioner learn about your medical conditions prior to waiting for your medical records.  This is especially helpful for those, who move frequently or have health issues.

Another thing to keep in mind is your medicine.  This is so important.   You want to make sure that you get all of your medicine refilled and that you have an adequate supply to make your move. You want to have enough medicine to give you a grace period on either end of the move.  This will help you give you time to find a new doctor in your new location.  Take the time to discuss your impending move with your doctor.  This will allow your doctor the time to help you prepare for the move. 

Your professionals at Starline will do their best to ensure safe transport of your goods. Unfortunately, moving does come with inherent risk.  Therefore, taking these steps ahead of time will not only help to mitigate risk but also prepare you for any claim you may need to make.

1. Before you move, take photos of your goods.  This is especially important for high-valued items.  This will allow you to have an electronic catalog of all of your items.
2. Make sure you are adequately insured.  If you have any questions, make sure to ask your professionals here at Starline.  They will be more than happy to help.
3. If you are advised to crate an item, seriously consider it.  If you do not crate it, it will compromise the ability to get your goods from start to finish.  It may also transfer the risk to you.  Therefore, take their advice.  Crating services will be an additional expense.  Do a cost-benefit analysis.  If the cost of crating the item is less than the replacement value of the item, seriously consider doing it.
4. If you are moving appliances, make sure to prepare them for transport.  This is particularly important if you have items like an ice-maker or front-end washer and dryer.  Your ice-maker should be blown out to make sure all the water is drained and your front-end drums should be bolted down for transport.  This is all to prevent damage later.

Even after taking these steps, you may find that unfortunately you may still have a claim.  If so, your professionals here at Starline will do their best to serve you.  Keep in mind, you must submit a claim within 45 days of taking possession of your goods.  For further information, please visit Starline’s claim procedures.

Whether you are moving yourself or your elderly relatives, you will have to weed through all of the things.  As you do that, you may come across a large amount of stuff that may seem like junk.  Given time constraints or frustration, you may be tempted to just throw things away.  However, a word of caution.  Your trash may be someone else’s treasure.  This is especially true if you are helping elderly relatives downsize.  

Depending on the health of your relative, they may be able to help give you the background of some of the items.  If anything is of importance or value, set it aside.  You will also have to be cognizant of how the downsizing with affect them.  There may be a great deal of emotional attachment to some items that clearly can’t follow them.  You will have to navigate between what will have to go and what they can realistically take with them.  

If you have a great deal of items that are old and may have significant value, try to contact someone in your area who can help.  There are folks called ‘pickers’ who will weed through items and buy them to sell and refurbish.  Their expertise in identifying items of value will come in handy.  However, if you are completely overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things and under significant time constraints, you can hire a person who runs estate sales.  They typically take a percentage of the overall sale.  Therefore, it is in their interest to make it successful.  They will also have at their disposal appraisers who can help you value the items so that you get a fair price.  Taking these extra steps will help you or your relative move into a new environment and have some extra cash to help fund care.

Unpacking is a challenge and adding your kids to the mix can make life complicated.  However, there are several things you can do to help keep them occupied.  Once the boxes are delivered, the fun begins.  Your movers will put your beds together and if you have chosen to have your things unpacked, your movers will begin and start to put your things where you need them.

If your children are old enough to communicate, you could have them stay in their rooms and help give guidance to the movers, who are unpacking.  If you are unpacking yourself, you can have your child start to unpack their room.  You will have to help by giving them some guidance and opening the boxes.  However, they will be glad to take ownership of the task.  It will give them some control and feel empowered.

Once they have helped with that task, see if you can find other tasks that are age appropriate that will give them an opportunity to help without causing you major rework later.  If you outline these tasks and reward them, it will work in your favor.  They can put packing materials away and help breakdown boxes.  They can help you unpack other rooms in the house that you feel they can do.  They can also help wipe out drawers and lay shelf liner.

Keep in mind that your child is not going to be as motivated as you, so they may take a great deal of breaks.  You can come up with activities they can do to burn steam.  This way you will not be interrupted as much while you are busy unpacking.  If you have an outdoor space for them to play take full advantage.  Further, you may want to make it a priority to unpack their favorite activities so that they can occupy themselves with their new found items.  It is a fine balance and taking the time for your kids will make all the difference with their transition. 

Moving important documents require some preparation.  As you prepare for your move, you will have to take the time to weed through your important documents, which include your tax documentation.  Before you start to shred things, keep in mind that the Canada Revenue Agency suggests that you keep your tax documents for six years.  These include your receipts and other supporting documentation.  For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website. 

If you are worried about moving all of this paperwork, consider scanning them electronically.  This will allow you to transport a great deal of documents on a small memory disk, CD, portable hard drive or on your laptop computer.  It is so efficient because you can move a great deal of information in a very small space.  You could even take it with you. 

Also, you want to consider scanning other important documents like copies of birth certificates, wills, government identification and passports.  It is very important to have backup copies of these documents in case they are lost or destroyed.  Also, having an electronic copy to hand will help you to have easy access to this information quickly.  Keep in mind that even if you do not have the equipment to hand to scan these documents, there are companies that offer access to these machines at a low cost so that you can still do it.  Therefore, you want to start the process early so that you have enough time to complete the task.