Moving to a new home is actually quite stressful, but this checklist may help.

After all the contingencies are met on the contract:

• Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity or recycle. Always ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you would feel if you no longer had it.

• Call for prices from moving companies and reserve a date.

• Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers. Also keep your address book handy.

• Arrange for school transcripts to be sent to the new school

• Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental, etc and keep all together. Don't forget your veterinarian's information.

• Have W-2's and other tax forms forwarded.

• Send your change of address card to the Post Office.

• While applying for new homeowner's insurance, ask your insurance agent to make sure that you are covered during the move.

• You can start packing anything you know you will not be using until after the move. Use color-colored labels to indicate where each box should be placed.

• Don't over-pack boxes. You'll increase the chance they will break. Try to keep the weight under 50 lbs if possible.

• You may want to move precious items such as family photos or valuable breakables yourself.

• Pack phone books from your old town; they will come in handy.

• Remember to complete transactions with local businesses, such as picking up your dry cleaning, removing items from your safe deposit box, returning library books, etc.

• Make arrangements to transport animals or plants. In most cases, moving companies will not handle them.

• Establish a checking account in your new town about a month prior to your move so that you have immediate access to our account.

• Drain gas and oil from power equipment.

• Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

• Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, etc to give them a date for to disconnect and request a final reading.

• Leave house keys and garage door openers with your real estate agent if you are not planning to attend the closing.

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