Searching for the perfect home for you and your family can be a long and stressful process. And then once you do find your dream home, you still have the moving to do! With that in mind, below is a checklist of friendly reminders and tips to ensure a seamless moving experience from start to finish.

It is a good idea to create a notebook for all of your notes relating to your move, such as a schedule, this checklist, and a place to collect estimates and receipts associated with the moved. With regard to your new community, other details you will need to attend to include:

� Transfer of Utility Service-please refer to the Utility Transfer Sheet, which will be provided to you at your Homeowner Orientation (First Walk)

� Arrange for cable and Internet service, if desired

� Identify the most convenient bank branch

� Locate shopping and entertainment centers

� Select convenient places of worship

� Enroll in area fitness club, if applicable

� Determine most convenient routes to area health providers, including hospitals, doctor offices, dentists, and veterinarians

� Determine school locations, enrollment deadlines, and calendar

� Locate police and fire stations

Contact your insurance agent(s) to update your policies (health, dental, life, and automobile) and inquire about any changes that may affect your policies. Also, establish your homeowners’ coverage for your new home. It is often a good idea to contact your auto insurance provider first when shopping for homeowners insurance, as there are often multiple coverage discounts available.

Go to your local Post Office to obtain a Change-of –Address kit. It is a good idea to make a list in your "Moving Planner" of people and businesses to notify of your move, especially family, friends, banks, creditors, and whoever else will require this information.

If you anticipate packing your own belongings, stock up on your packing supplies (boxes, packing tape, markers, labels, newspaper, and any other item you will need). When marking your boxes, make sure to note the box contents, whether the items are perishable or fragile, and the room it belongs in. Remember to register to vote in your new community, and remember to have your driver’s license updated with your new address.

Buying a new home and starting a new chapter in your life can indeed be stressful, but it is also supposed to very a very exciting and enjoyable time in your life! Moving to a new home is an adventure - you'll get the chance to experience a new location, have a home to call your own, meet new people and friends and enjoy numerous other new experiences. By using the checklist above, you'll be able to focus more on the fun and exciting aspects of moving into your new house. Often a fun thing to do to document your move is to take pictures or video. Before you move all of your belongings in, snap a picture. Take a picture after you've unloaded everything and then a few more a couple months down the road. Through these photos you'll see the transformation from "house" to home.