A move out of state is always on the mind for most people, with some of the most common reasons behind it being college reasons or the search for greener pastures.
Whichever the case, packing up sticks and moving to a different state is an undertaking that comes with its fair share of headaches. From figuring out whether to sell your home with an estate agent or to a cash home buyer like https://webuyhousesinatlanta.com/ to exactly how you are going to take your belongings with you, if you intend to move with them.
Is it better to rent a truck or hire a licensed interstate moving company to do it for you? What about insuring the items on transit? What expenses is the employer going to cater for?
Here are seven ways you can simplify your interstate move and ensure things go swimmingly.
Make a budget and start saving
There are many costs involved in a long-distance out of state move that can easily drain your bank account if not planned for properly.
There are the moving costs to think about, insurance coverage, gas if you’re driving your car, and hotel expenses, never mind the rent, security deposit and starting utilities in your new home. For instance, you will need to set up electricity, water, internet, and more, ready for your arrival, and you may even decide to have additional guest wifi for convenience when hosting guests. With this in mind, you can see a useful article here about guest wifi security and how best to protect and manage your home network.
The best way to avoid the money headache is to create an extensive list of all the costs involved and start planning and setting aside a budget well in advance.
Tip 1: Don’t rely on the security deposit from your current place as the refund might take a while (confirm with your lease). Budget without relying on this money to cover your costs to avoid frustrations.
Tip 2: When doing budget planning, factor in the cost of living in your destination state to get an idea how far your dollar will stretch.
Decide what you’re moving
Take stock of everything you own and make a decision on what items are worth moving and those that are best left behind – either resold, donated or disposed of.
That outdated TV or the 100-lb couch? Bulky furniture and electronics are only going to add to your moving costs, so it might be best to sell them on the secondhand market and reinvest the monies in new ones once you get to your destination.
Nobody said you have to buy completely new. If you’re short of funds, you can find plenty of nice preowned items being sold online.
Research moving options
When hauling your belongings across state lines, there are several options available at your disposal:
- Professional movers – They are ideal when you want to take the stress of moving out of your move. A good interstate mover like Indiana movers can handle all the aspects of the move for you, especially if you opt for a full-service move which allows you to put your feet up, although it’s pricier.
- Truck rental companies – This option is not for everyone. You need to be experienced with a large vehicle and the intricacies that come with maneuvering it – using side mirrors instead of the rearview, the added length and width of the vehicle and how it switches lanes and navigates through narrow streets, etc. etc. It might be cheaper on paper, but you might end up paying more as there are a myriad costs involved with rental trucks which you need to understand.
Obtain estimates
Before deciding on the mover or truck rental company of choice, do your homework first.
Get at least three separate estimates to compare prices, but weigh the offers first as the lowest estimate doesn’t equate to the best service. In other words, cheaper is always better.
Update your information
For starters, you need to notify your utilities providers of your impending move so you can have them disconnected or transferred to your new address, assuming the service provider also covers your destination state. That includes everything from electricity to the Internet.
Second, make sure to update your recurring bills once you secure a new address – credit card and bank accounts, student and car loans etc.
You will need to get a new driver’s license and register your vehicle afresh in the new state. Timelines vary from one state to the next.
While you’re at it, acquaint yourself with the driving laws of the land as these too, vary between states. What might be legal in your state might get you a ticket in another. It never hurts to be up to speed.
Plan for partial-year state taxes
You might be required to file two separate state tax returns when you relocate to a different state.
If you earned income in two separate states over the financial year, this should be a given to cover the time you lived there. The exception could be with states like Washington, Nevada, and Texas that do not collect individual income taxes.
Get insured
Stuff happens, and when it does, you want to know you will be compensated for it.
Movers provide two types of moving insurance, namely:
- Released value protection – the most basic coverage policy
- Full value protection – more advanced coverage
You also have the option of third party coverage that insures you most sensitive items, although this doesn’t come from the mover but has to be purchased separately.
Know the options available and decide on the best one for you.
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