RELOCATION TOOLS...

• PREPARING YOUR HOME TO SELL

Before putting your home on the market, use these tips to help create a quicker sale.

INTERIOR:

• Clean every room and remove clutter. This will help make your home appear bigger and brighter.
• Hire a professional cleaning service every couple of weeks while the house is on the market.
• Shampoo and vacuum the carpets.
• Remove clutter from counters, closets and attics.
• Clean the fireplace and hearth.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, molding and other woodwork.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.
• Clean and press the drapes or curtains.
• Clean windows and dust blinds.
• Repair flooring and tiling throughout the house.
• Repaint soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade. Apply the same colors to carpets and flooring.
• Clean oven, range and microwave as well as kitchen appliances.

EXTERIOR:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
• Trim hedges, weed flowerbeds and prune trees regularly.
• Unclog gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure light fixtures are operating properly.
• Replace any screens that have holes or fraying.
• Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
• Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.
• Add a few pots of beautiful flowers or annuals near your front entrance.
• Keep your garage door closed.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

WHEN SHOWING YOUR HOME:

• Open drapes and curtains before prospective buyers arrive.
• Keep your home set at a comfortable temperature.
• Play soft music throughout the house.
• Leave the house while a prospective buyer is viewing the home and avoid having too many people present at the same time.
• Keep pets out of the way.

• RELOCATION CHECKLIST

TWO MONTHS BEFORE MOVING

• Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement.
• Make an inventory of your household goods and begin to remove clutter (start with the basement, attic, garage and other storage areas).
• Arrange to transfer school records.
• Choose a mover or truck rental company.
• Get your new home ready – contact painters, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc., so your home is ready when you arrive. Remember to change the locks on all the doors in your new home.
• Create a “move file” to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.
• Start researching your new community.

SIX WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Fill out post office change-of-address cards.
• Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
• Ask your doctor for referrals and obtain all medical records.
• Make a list of things that are valuable or difficult to replace. Plan on shipping these by certified mail or carrying them with you.
• Make a list of friends, relatives and businesses that need to be notified about your move.
• Start working your way through each room, taking inventory and deciding what to get rid of. Start planning for a yard sale or contact your local charities.

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Check freezer and plan to use food over the next 2-3 weeks.
• Collect your important records – gather personal and family records including medical and dental, veterinary and school records, legal and financial documents, birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.
• If you are moving yourself, reserve a rental truck.
• If you are packing yourself, obtain packing materials and start packing items you won’t need until after you arrive at your new house.
• Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are covered during transit.
• Make travel arrangements for your pets – do not forget to include necessary medical and immunization records.
• Advertise and host your garage sale.
• Give away or arrange for transportation of house plants. They could be sold at a garage sale or given as thank you gifts.
• Cancel your subscriptions or list a forwarding address for magazines/newspapers.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

• Contact your bank/credit union to transfer or close accounts. Clear out safety deposit boxes and prepare for money needed during the move.
• Have automobile serviced for the trip.
• Change your address – send out change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.
• Notify any creditors about your move.
• Return any borrowed items – including library books – and retrieve any loaned items.
• Pack a travel kit:
Put aside critical items like a checkbook, ID, credit cards, keys, personal phone book, flashlight, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids. Also, pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.

ONE DAY BEFORE MOVING

• Drain power equipment of oil and gas. Drain water hoses.
• Confirm travel reservations.
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer.
• Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.
• Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.
• Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly mark this box “Load Last.”
• Confirm arrival time of your moving truck.

MOVING DAY

• Spend the entire day at the house to make all the last-minute decisions. Do not leave until after the movers have gone.
• Use a babysitter for the kids during the day.
• Check the entire house before deciding everything is loaded.
• Read your Bill of Lading and inventory carefully before signing. Keep this paperwork in a safe place.
• Disconnect and note all utility meter readings.
• Get routing information and phone numbers from the driver so you can call him while en route.

• TIPS ON HOUSEHOLD MOVING

PREPARING FOR THE MOVE

1. Have a garage sale. Get rid of everything you don’t need before you move.
2. If your company is moving you, read your relocation policy and familiarize yourself with the benefits provided.
3. Get organized now. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make lists of things you need to do and when.
4. Make sure you are ready for the packers and movers. Don’t forget to do all the laundry, wash all the dishes, pack your suitcases, and disconnect computers, stereos and VCR’s. Place all the cords and remote controls in a safe place.
5. Moving is an emotional time – especially for children. Make them a part of the process.
6. Make arrangements for pets during the move.
7. Set aside those items that you will be taking with you on your trip and clearly mark them as DO NOT PACK.
8. Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move – friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
9. Arrange to close your accounts in your local bank and open accounts in your new hometown.
10. Contact insurance companies (auto, home owners or renters, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new hometown.
11. Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with your new hometown.
12. Contact schools, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records.
13. Obtain a change-of-address kit from the post office or go to https://moversguide.usps.com and do it online.
14. Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won’t have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.
15. Once your refrigerator has been disconnected, thoroughly wash and dry the inside, then put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep it smelling fresh and to avoid mildew.
16. Prepare an “unload me first” carton with essentials that you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Toilet paper, telephone, toothpaste and brushes, snacks, coffee and coffee pot, soap, flashlight, screwdrivers, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans and paper towels are some of the suggested items.
17. Drain the gas and oil from your power equipment (lawnmower, edger, snow blower, etc.).
18. Schedule house cleaning and other home services for the day after loading. Things will be hectic and you won’t need to deal with several different service providers at once.
19. Have your utilities shut off the day after loading, as you probably will need them through the course of the move. Contact: gas, electric, water, telephone, cable TV, trash collection.
20. Make your travel arrangements for the day after loading. In case of weather delays or other unforeseen problems, you wouldn’t want to miss a flight or other travel-related appointment.
21. Make a note of your shipment registration number found in the upper right-hand corner of your bill of lading and keep it with you in case you need to call the mover with questions or need to track your move on line.
22. Before the van leaves for your destination, give the driver and your move coordinator phone numbers where you can be reached. It’s also a good idea to get the driver’s cell phone number.
23. Make sure to pack your current phone book to take with you. You may need to make calls to your former hometown.
24. Be aware of items that can’t be moved with the mover. These items include:
o Flammable items
o Combustible items
o Aerosol cans
o Hazardous materials
o Gasoline
o Plants
o Paints
o Ammunition and Explosives
o Jewelry
o Legal documents (wills, financial papers, insurance documents, etc.)
25. Hook up the TV and VCR first to occupy the kids while the rest of your belongings are being unloaded.
26. Let your personal computer adjust to the room temperature in your new home before plugging it in.
27. Make a written diagram of where the furniture is to be placed in each room. This will help the driver and make the delivery process smoother and less hectic.
28. When using a mover, remember that you are the customer and the boss. If you have any concerns at all, contact your move coordinator immediately.

• RENTAL INFORMATION

Briggs Freeman International recognizes the changing needs of today’s rental community. This changing need is fueled by everything from:
• Not wanting the maintenance hassles of home ownership
• Having the far-reaching amenities available in many of today’s rental communities
• The temporary (possibly 1-2 years) nature of a particular job assignment that doesn’t make purchasing a home desirable, and
• The fact that many current homeowners more frequently are being moved into higher cost-of-living areas. Purchasing a new home may not be within their financial reach.

Whatever the case may be, Briggs Freeman International believes that non-homeowners expect and should receive the same level of service in their rental home that the traditional homeowner would receive. Therefore, we offer rental assistance that is designed to support our rental clients to meet their specific living needs.

Briggs Freeman International: Preferred Rental Program
Briggs Freeman will provide to you the following services:
• An Account Executive who will serve as the single-point-of-contact and ongoing resource for you throughout your move.
• A Detailed Needs Assessment to understand your needs and desires and help you set proper expectations of the destination market.
• Introduction to an area Rental Specialist who will:
• Provide you with listings for specific properties in areas that best meet your needs
• Provide area information about local communities and neighborhoods that meet the requirements developed in the Needs Assessment
• Continuous communication with the employee from the initial consultation through the end of the rental process.

The Briggs Freeman International Preferred Rental Program offers solutions for long- and short-term rentals, including furnished and unfurnished units.

• TEMPORARY AND CORPORATE HOUSING SERVICES

Briggs Freeman International’s Temporary Housing Program provides for short-term and long-term interim housing needs in Dallas, throughout Texas, and across the nation.

Through our preferred and managed partners, we provide luxurious living environments superior to many hotel accommodations. We work hard to offer a home-away-from-home atmosphere and always go the extra mile to ensure your temporary stay is as comfortable as possible.

Whether you are relocating, remodeling or traveling to a different city, we can assist you through our temporary housing program.

We can arrange for 1, 2, or 3 bedroom units for stays from two weeks to two years or longer. Every apartment includes a complete furniture and house-wares package, all bed and bath linens, a fully equipped kitchen, all utilities, local phone service, extended basic cable, high-speed internet, washer/dryer options and other customized services to accommodate each individual’s lifestyle and budgetary needs.

With just one monthly bill, everything is taken care of. For our corporate clients, we can arrange for direct billing services as well.