Whether you're a buyer or a seller, you're moving somewhere. Here's a handy checklist to help you organize your moving experience so things go smoothly!

Two Months Before Moving Day

• Using a Mover? Get a few estimates, then choose one.
• Moving yourself? Get estimates from at least two truck rental companies.
• Start packing up! Start with storage area s like the basement, garage, attic...
• This is a great time to start removing clutter and doing an inventory - you'll probably find you don't want to move all your stuff.
• Start a file for all your moving paperwork so you can find your estimates and find all your receipts.)
• Arrange to transfer school records.
• Doing some work on your new home? Line up painters, carpenters, plumbers and whomever else you might need.

Six Weeks Before Moving Day

• Get and fill out change of address cards - you can get them from the post office.
• To learn more about your new community - order the newspaper!
• Start hunting for new healthcare providers - you can ask your current doctors and dentist for referrals. Also, obtain all necessary medical records.
• If you have special items like antiques, artwork and other valuables, you might want to get them appraised.
• Keep up the pre packing process: Clean out all your closets and drawers and use up food and cleaning supplies you don't want to move.

Four Weeks Before Moving Day

• Schedule the disconnect of utility services at your old home for the day before you leave and the connect at your new home for the day before you move in - could be the same day. Request any refunds on deposits at any service provider.
• Moving yourself? Better reserve a rental truck.
• Packing yourself? Start gathering the things you'll need like boxes, bubble wrap and start lobbying for help from friends.
• Pack anything you won't need right away but want to take with you.
• Properly dispose of items you cannot move (old paint, flammable liquids...).
• Arrange for any special care and/or transportation your pets may require. Remember, there are special requirements when moving in or out of the country with pets.
• Moving across the country or across the globe? Make any travel plans necessary for your move.
• Plan a pre-moving sale to help reduce your moving "inventory". Be sure to check with local authorities for any restrictions that may apply.
• Collect your important documents and make sure they are secured (personal records; family records; medical, dental and veterinary records; school records; legal (including birth certificates) and financial records; insurance documents and passports.

Three to Two Weeks Before Moving Day

• Service your car, especially if there is a long drive involved in your move. If you're moving to another state, prepare to transfer your auto registration.
• Return all library books and any other loaned items. Collect anything you've loaned out.
• Cancel newspaper delivery.
• Send out change of address cards to creditors and magazines to which you subscribe.
• Transfer any prescriptions and be certain to have an adequate supply on hand to tide you over should there be any delays in the transfer.
• It's nice to assemble a file for the new owners. Include things like instruction manuals for appliances, a list of service people you feel comfortable recommending...
• Make sure you check your dry cleaners for anything you may have forgotten to pick up.
• Find homes for plants you aren't moving.
• Prepare a travel kit. It should include items like: checkbook, credit cards, PDA, address book, phone book, personal ID, flashlight, needed keys, personal care items. depending on your move you may also want to include a suitcase with clothing and personal items for all family members; games, books, and toys to keep children occupied while traveling; paper cups, plates, cutlery and so on.

Just Before Moving Day

• If necessary, transfer bank accounts
• Confirm any travel reservations.
• Attend to any pre-move needs of your pets (for instance immunizations...)
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer; prop the doors open.
• Make sure you keep the items you want with you when you travel don't get mixed up with the things the movers (or you) will load on a truck.
• Prepare a "Load Last" box that contains things you don't want right with you when you travel but you do want to access immediately upon arrival at your new home-you don't want to be hunting for essentials!
• If you're using a mover, confirm time schedules
• Make sure you have enough cash or Travelers Checks
• Know the expected procedure for paying your movers.

Moving Day

• Check meter readings
• Make sure someone is at your old house to answer any questions the movers may have. If your move is happening in one day, have someone at the new home to answer any questions on that end and to direct placement of items. Cell phones or two ways are great for coordinating between locations.
• Supervise loading and unloading and conduct a full inventory on both ends of your move.
• Be sure everything is as it should be with the move and note any damaged items in writing before you sign off.