Resources

60-90 Days prior to move date:

 Start a new home search:

• Online
• Drive through desired neighborhoods and look for signs
• Realtor

Determine your budget:

• Speak to lender if buying – It is best to do this as far in advance as possible to avoid any unwanted surprises from credit report that might need to be addressed
• Moving costs –
  • Movers
  • Cleaners
  • Inspections
  • Closing costs
  • Repair costs
  • Appliances Needed?
  • Don’t forget dryer exhaust vent
  • Dryer’s have 3 or 4 prong plugs…make sure you know what plug you’ll need at the new house
  • If leasing – security/pet/utility deposits
• PRO TIP: ABC – Always Be Collecting – Walmart bags.  These come in handy during a move!
• Check with desired schools to confirm enrollment availability/zoning for the new house.
• If a specific school is a must-have, verify these things prior to writing a contract on a house.

30-60 Days Prior to Move Date:

• Provide written notice to current landlord (if leasing).
• Get all requested financial documents to lender.
• Schedule Home Inspection/Negotiate Repairs or Credits:
  • Measure rooms during the inspection for furniture and appliances
  • Start Packing (depends on the amount of stuff that needs to be packed and what pace you work at).

PRO TIPS:

• Do not put off packing…this is the most time-consuming part and it will take longer than you think it will.
• Those WalMart bags make good packing material, and they keep items together (ex silverware) in the box. Towels, bedding, and clothing items are other great packing materials.
• Need Boxes?  Instead of paying for them at Home Depot or Lowes, go to a shoe store and ask them for their freight boxes.  Most of them will be happy to let you take them so they don’t have to haul them to the compactor!
• It might help to treat yourself and buy a pair of shoes and socks and build rapport with the shoe store employee before asking for boxes.
• DON”T PACK: Hammer, drill and/or screwdrivers (both Phillips and flathead), socket set, pocket knife or scissors, bed and furniture hardware, cooler.
• When taking art/photos off the walls, tape the mounting hardware to the back of the frame, put an X with painters tape over any glass to prevent breaks.
• Purchase black markers, packing tape, and quick-dry wall putty (to repair holes from artwork) and wall paint if needed.
• Start with items that are rarely used/not important for life over the next month.

Get Moving Quotes/Reserve Movers or Truck:

• Movers schedules can fill up quickly, for both quotes and actual moves.
• PRO  TIP: If you’re planning on using a buddy’s truck, it’s a good idea to go ahead and start being extra nice to them now so you can cash in the good karma on moving day
• Determine if you want to paint or do any updates before moving furniture in.  It’s a lot easier to do this stuff when the house is empty

15-30 Days Prior to Move Out Date:

• Hire professional cleaner to deep clean the house you’re moving out of – you will not want to do this yourself on moving day, and they can be booked out over a week or two so you’ll need to get on the schedule in advance –
  
• This will increase the likelihood of getting security deposit back if you were renting
• List items for sale (online or have garage sale) that you do not want to move to new house.
• Schedule large trash pickup for larger items you don’t intend to move into new house that did not sell online/garage sale and are not worth donating to Goodwill/Salvation Army.

1 Week Before Move Date:

• Call to have utilities disconnected at old address and connected at new address, starting on Move Date or Closing Date, if not the same day.
• Book massage for 2 days after move date – you’ll be glad you did!
• Check commute time from new address to work/schools.  It is good to know this in advance so you’re not scrambling the first day in the new house. Traffic patterns are different at different times of day, so try to make the drive during the morning and afternoon rush times to be better prepared.
• Submit change of address form with Post Office – online or at Post Office
• Contact creditors, bank, employer, schools, Grandma etc to update address
• Schedule locksmith to change out locks at new address on moving date.

Moving Day:

• Load Truck with boxes first and then stack large items behind them. Movers will do this for you, obviously and they can be hired specifically to load and/or unload the truck for you.  WORTH IT!
• Leave all keys and garage door openers on kitchen counter, as well as any appliance owner manuals/warranty information for new owner.
•  Final Walk Through on New home.
• Close on new home.
• Make sure drill is charged the night before so that you have it ready to go when you need it to assemble items and hang artwork.
• Be prepared to order pizza or some sort of delivery for the first night in the new place.  Most people don’t want to stop unpacking to cook dinner.

Post Moving Day:

• Post boxes and packing materials on FB Marketplace and someone will gladly come pick them up from you!
• Apply for Home Stead Tax Credit 30 days after closing to get a discount on property taxes.
• If purchased new construction, submit warranty claims at 30 days, 90 days and 11 months after closing.
• Change drivers license (within 30 days) to reflect new address.

Our Preferred Vendors:

Mortgage Loans/Refinance:

Purple Ink Mortgage
5506 W Walsh Ln Suite 204
Rogers, AR 72758
Lee Robinson
Lee@mortgagepurple.com
479-409-8244

Title Services:

Natural State Title
4700 S Thompson St Ste B104
Springdale, AR 72764
Chuck Bell
chuck@naturalstatetitle.com
479-318-2400

Home Inspectors:

Josh Perry
479-800-4585

Superior Home Inspections
Andy Kusak
479-310-8320
andy@asuperiorinspection.net

Ben Althuzius
479-256-2149

Roofing:

Superior Roofing
Daniel Eldridge
479-313-2833

Electrician:

Karstetter Electric
Kevin Karstetter
479-409-6216

Moving Companies:

Local/In-town moves – Next Step Movers
Lonnie Lawhorn
479-283-2445

Long-Haul Moves – Oler Relocation/United Vanlines
Cynthia Bennett
479-790-1039

Heat & Air:

P&D HVAC
479-936-4932

Septic:

BBB Septic Solution
479-271-0058

Tile/Flooring Removal:

Dust Hogs, LLC
Ronni Wedge
479-841-7847

Interior Design/Staging Services:

First Impressions Home Staging
Julie Alexander
479-684-9670

House Cleaning:

Southern Charm Home Cleaning
Jennifer Sides
479-279-6909

Benton County Schools

• Bentonville Schools: https://www.bentonvillek12.org/
• Rogers: https://www.rogersschools.net/
• Pea Ridge: https://www.pearidgek12.com/
• Gravette: https://www.gravetteschools.net/
• Gentry: https://sites.google.com/gentrypioneers.com/gentrypublicschools
• Siloam Springs: https://www.siloamschools.com/en-US

Washington County Schools

• Fayetteville:  https://district.fayar.net/
• Springdale Schools: https://www.sdale.org/
• Farmington: https://www.farmcards.org/
• Prairie Grove: https://www.pgtigers.org/
• Greenland: https://www.greenlandschools.k12.ar.us/
• West Fork: https://sites.google.com/wftigers.org/district
• Elkins: https://www.elkinsdistrict.org/

Our Preferred Lender:

• Purple Ink Mortgage: Start Your Application