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MOVING TO HOUSTON?

Like the idea of a checklist for your move? Want to know the leash laws in the greater Houston? Need to find out how to get your Texas driver's license? Looking for a change of address card to re-route your mail? Want to set up your utilities? These links should help you get started.


MOVING AIDS

LOCAL MOVERS

  1. • As voted on by the people of Houston on CitySearch website
  2. • List of area movers with ratings

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

  1. • US Postal Service
CHOOSING A MOVING COMPANY

CHOOSING A MOVING COMPANY

Check with friends and neighbors to see if they can recommend a mover. Call your local Better Business Bureau or consumer office to find out if a mover you're considering has been hit with complaints.

Get the names of two or three movers from the phonebook or companies you've seen around town. Go to the companies' headquarters and look around. Is the place clean and organized? Do the trucks appear to be in good shape? You can tell a lot by looking at a place. Moving from one state to another? Your mover must have authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Call the agency at 800-832-5660 and opt for Menu No. 1. Call the AMSA's membership department at 703-683-7410 to see if the mover is a member or to see if a company is an agent for a van line.

Avoid moving at the end or beginning of the month when the schedules of most moving companies are filled. You can save time and money by planning your move for a weekday instead of busier weekends. And remember the worst time of the year to move is around three summer season holiday weekends: Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day. They're long weekends and they come at the end of the month.

THE ESTIMATE. The cost of an interstate move, according to the AMSA, is based on the weight of your belongings and the distance they are shipped, plus the amount of packing and other services you may need. Movers will give you an estimate to help you anticipate the cost of your move - but only after they've come to your house. Real professionals will not give estimates over the phone, They will send someone to the home and find out what the customer's needs are. The AMSA says you can help out the movers by showing them every single item to be moved, including stuff in the attic, basement, garage, closets, and even under the beds.

There are different types of estimates:

• Binding estimates are written agreements that guarantee the cost of the move based on the items to be moved and the services listed on the mover's estimate sheet.

• Non-binding estimates are not guaranteed. They approximate the cost based on the mover's survey of the items to be moved, with the final cost determined after the shipment is weighed. There is no guarantee the final cost will not be more than the estimate. Movers determine weight by putting the van on a scale before and after it is loaded.


MOVING COMPANY TYPES & LINKS

Here are companies offering local and long distance moving and truck rental services. Many offer additional moving tools, including cost calculators, tip sheets, and moving supplies. Book or get estimates online from some.

• Budget Truck Rental - Reserve your truck, order boxes and supplies, find a local agent, or get moving tips here.

• Mini Moves - This Company specializes in full-service small moves as from a college dorm or small apartment. Quotes are available on the site.

• Ryder Truck Rental - There aren't a lot of useful tools here, but it does supply an 800-number to be connected to a local agent.

• U-Haul - Get rates and make reservations, find a local agent, Rent local or one-way.

MOVING CHECKLISTS

Printable version

ONE MONTH BEFORE MOVING CHECK OUT YOUR COMPANY RELO PACKAGE



PICK UP A CHANGE-OF-ADDRESS KIT FROM THE POST OFFICE AND FILL OUT FOR:








TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE



PREPARE A LIST OF WHAT YOU WANT TO MOVE


FOR FULL-SERVICE MOVES:







FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF MOVES: Make arrangements for truck rental and moving help, and buy packing supplies





START PACKING BOXES. Mark boxes clearly for contents and room to be placed in. Mark "open first" on boxes containing important items to be unpacked first.









MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PICKING UP YOUR IMPORTANT RECORDS:







CLOSE OUT YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS:



GIVE CANCELLATION NOTICES



START A NEW BANK ACCOUNT IN YOUR NEW TOWN.


TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING PACK YOUR VITAL DOCUMENTS IN ONE PLACE:













MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCONNECT YOUR UTILITIES. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give new address for them to send their final bill:










ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING
LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO REACH YOU


DISPOSE OF ANY FLAMMABLE ITEMS:




PLAN WHAT GOES IN THE CAR WITH YOU:










THE DAY BEFORE MOVING







MOVING DAY!








Many of your moving expenses are tax deductible, so save your receipts. Call the Internal Revenue Service and request "Tax Information On Moving Expenses" to find out which moving expenses you can deduct.

RELO DIRECT® MOVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Through the RELO Direct® Move Management program, we can assist you with household goods transportation services, providing you the same high quality move management services used by the nation’s leading corporations:


  1. • Dedicated move counselor available to you before, during and after the move.
  2. • Choices from major leading national van lines.
  3. • True advocacy for you on claims resolution, scheduling, special needs and one-on-one contact with a RELO Direct® consultant throughout the move process.
  4. • Competitive discounts on interstate moves due to volume business and priority status.
  5. • Guidance from the RELO Direct Personal Move Counselor to assist in selecting the transit protection coverage that’s right for you.
  6. • Guaranteed service delivery dates.

Ask your Heritage agent for more information about the program.

SAMPLE REAL ESTATE FORMS

Here are a few samples of Texas Real Estate forms for information only:


  1. • General Information & Notice to a Buyer
  2. • Information About Brokerage Services

PROPERTY SEARCH & NEIGHBORHOOD FINDER

Search by Map

Search all available listings in the Houston area MLS database by selecting an area on the map. Zoom in on an area and draw an outline of the area you want to search. The results will show you all available listings in that area. Be sure to right click your last point.


  1. Property Search

Neighborhood Finder

Search and compare over 10,000 subdivisions and neighborhoods in the greater Houston area.


  1. Neighborhood & Subdivision Finder