Karstens And Associates Realty LLC
Steve and Kyle L Karstens
Six Week Checklist for a Good Move

Six weeks before move
Four weeks before move
Three weeks before move
Two weeks before move
One week before move
Moving day

Six Weeks Before Move:

  • Call for moving estimates.
  • Call the Chamber Of Commerce and Visitors & Convention Bureau in your new town and get their new resident information packages.
  • Inventory all household items to be moved, and start packing NOW!
  • Remove all items from basement, storage sheds, attics, and plan a garage sale or charity donation for all items you don't want to move.
  • Start using things up that you can't move, like cleaning supplies and frozen food.
  • Discuss tax-related moving expenses, liabilities, and deductions with your tax advisor.
  • Make a list of all people/organizations to contact about change of address.
  • Complete U.S. Postal Service change of address forms and mail them to all applicable publications, stores and organizations.
  • Get copies of (or arrange for transfer at both ends of move) all school, medical, dental, veterinary, legal, and accounting records.
  • Contact insurance agents to transfer or cancel coverage.
  • If it's a company move, check with your employer to find out what moving expenses they cover.
  • Get a mail subscription for the local paper in your new location to familiarize yourself with the new community, its activities and issues.
  • Locate and obtain all automobile licensing and registration information.

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Four Weeks Before Move:

  • Get an itemized list of all moving related costs and review with mover, including packing, loading, special charges, insurance, vehicles (if needed), etc.
  • Contact all current and new location utility companies (gas, water, electric, cable TV, phone & trash collection) to set connect/disconnect dates. Remember to keep current utilities hooked up until move day.
  • Make arrangements for relocation of pets and plants.
  • Move valuables to safe deposit box to prevent loss during move.
  • If you are packing yourself, acquire packing materials/boxes and pack items you won't need for the next month.
  • If professional mover is packing your goods, schedule packing day(s) 1 or 2 days before move.
  • Prepare any mowers, snow blowers, boats, snowmobiles (or other vehicles you won't be using before the move) for the move by servicing and draining gas and oil, to prevent a moving van fire.
  • Repair, send out for re-upholstery, or clean furniture, drapes, carpeting as needed.

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Three Weeks Before Move:

  • Make travel arrangements for family for moving trip, allow for unexpected delays and cash needs that often occur in moves and house closings.
  • Collect all important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stocks, etc.).
  • Arrange to close all local bank accounts and open new ones in new location.

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Two Weeks Before Move:

  • Prepare auto(s) for trip to new home. Check tires and have vehicles serviced.
  • Terminate newspaper and other delivery services at old address.
  • Give away all plants you don't intend to move.
  • If you're moving out of a building with elevators, arrange with management for use of elevators on move day.
  • Schedule for appliance disconnects on moving day or the day before the move, if necessary.
  • Contact your moving company counselor to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.
  • Withdraw contents of any safe deposit boxes, return library books & rental video tapes, pick up any dry cleaning, etc.
  • Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company, including your travel itinerary and emergency numbers.

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One Week Before Move:

  • Defrost refrigerator/freezer.
  • Plan simple meals for moving day to avoid using appliances.
  • Make plans for care of small children on moving day.
  • Transfer or withdraw all funds from local banks.
  • Separate cartons and luggage items you need for personal travel so they don't get packed on the truck.
  • Pack a box of items you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home and have movers put this box on last (clearly mark box as PACK THIS LAST or UNPACK THIS FIRST) or take it with you.
  • Have appliances disconnected and prepared for move.
  • Set aside one room for packers and movers to work in freely.
  • Arrange to have utilities turned on at new home.
  • Notify friends and neighbors of new address and phone number (if available).
  • Fill any necessary prescriptions, medications needed for the next two weeks.
  • Set aside manuals and instructions for your current home for new owner.
  • Do NOT disconnect your telephone until the day after loading.

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Moving Day:

  • Plan on spending entire day at house with movers. Don't leave until movers have gone.
  • Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
  • Stay with moving van driver to oversee inventory of goods.
  • Give moving van driver directions to new home and numbers where you can be reached prior to delivery.
  • Get routing information from moving van driver.
  • Review carefully and sign bill of lading and inventory, and keep your copy in a safe place until all charges have been paid and all claims (if any) have been settled.
  • Make final walk-through of house, including basement, attic and closets, to make sure it's empty.
  • Lock all windows and doors, and drop off keys with the agent, neighbor or new owner.

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What my clients are saying  

"Selling a house can be stressful. But with Steve Karstens, we felt like we had a hard-working, knowledgeable and trustworthy friend on our side, an expert to steer us along a sometimes bumpy road. From his initial presentation to the close of escrow, Steve was there to answer our many questions and explain the details of potential deals. Because we live out of town, we depended on Steve to take care of dozens of details at the property, and he did so conscientiously, efficiently and quickly. He also made sure we never felt out of the loop - through emails, texts and phone calls, he kept us updated on every showing and every offer. And once a serious offer came in, Steve was there to counsel us through the negotiations, although he always left the final decisions in our hands. I can't say enough good things about Steve!"

 

~ John S

Gwyneth and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Steve and Kyle Karstens as realtors, and now as friends. They are extremely conscientious, customer-focused and were attentive to all of our real estate needs. They sold our home in less time than we expected, at the price we asked for. Steve and Kyle made the whole closing process seamless. They were immediately responsive each time we contacted them, and anticipated our needs. They are truly the best realtors we have ever worked with. We would highly recommend them to anybody looking to sell or buy property.

 

~ Scott and Gwyneth

I would just like to thank Steve and Kyle for the outstanding service they provided me in selling my home in Prescott. The Karstens helped me find my first home in Prescott 12 years ago, and I have used them for myself and family for other real estate transactions and found them to be very knowledgeable about real estate and Prescott real estate specifically. Their followup and attention to detail was extremely helpful to me on this last move. I knew I could depend on them to take care of any issues that came up and they went above and beyond. They are an incredible team, and two of the nicest people you could have on your side whether buying or selling a home! And they truly do, work for you!

 

~ Vicki

Kyle & Steve were recommended to us by another local real estate agent and we could not have been more lucky. Kyle showed us over 35 homes in our price range, in several neighborhoods, so that we could get a feel for Prescott in general. She spent four week ends driving us around during our house hunting trips from California. We got to know the area thanks to her overwhelming patience with two people who did not really know what they wanted other than tall trees and a change of seasons. Thanks to Kyle's guidance we found the perfect home (in our price range) and in our preferred area. A big plus was also the knowledge that Steve has as a building contractor and steered us from homes needing a lot of help and additional investment. The Karstens have remained our close friends ever since. And we have referred other "would be" newcomers to them.

 

~ Marlene and Eric

We had only positive vibes from our work with the Karstens. Their suggestions were timely and helpful, resulting in good contacts and exposure. Our home sold in less than a month with their guidance! We highly recommend them for personal assistance and professionalism!

 

~ Pat and Dick

Steve and Kyle handled every little detail on the sale of our home. We had extenuating circumstances due to the residence being inhabited during the showings of the property. They were always available for questions and concerns and very patient during the selling process. They are so knowledgeable about all aspects of their field. We could not have asked for a better team to take us through the whole process of this sale. I would never have any other realtors.

 

~ Chad and Sara

Joyce and I are very grateful for the help provided for us by Steve and Kyle Karstens in the selling of our house in July, 2014. They went out of their way to make sure the house was ready and in the best possible shape to make it an attractive residence. They even helped us solve some problems, especially with the septic system, to take care of any problems we were having on the property. We think that we were greatly blessed in choosing them as our realtors and we cannot be too effusive in recommending them to others who wish to sell their property. They were extremely knowledgeable about the process we went through and we appreciate all they did for us. Robert

 

~ Robert and Joyce

Steve and Kyle's knowledge and expertise was stellar; We couldn't ask for anything more. They gained our trust with their honest guidance. Moving to Dewey from Flagstaff was a huge challenge which Steve and Kyle made so much easier and simplified. Their calm demeanor was a huge asset.

 

~ Anne

They both were warm, and personable. They know our community well. We experienced them as competent and effective. They stayed in touch throughout the process. They answered our questions and offered open houses. I would highly recommend them to anyone selling a home in the Prescott area.

 

~ Jim and Susan

Steve & Kyle are a unique team. Their decades of local experience will aid in smooth transactions. My experience goes back 15 years beginning with the purchase of income producing property. Several years later upon retiring and relocating.

 

~ Bob

Steve was amazing throughout our purchasing process. We were living in California. He kept us abreast of everything that was going on, and he also followed up with our realtor in California when necessary in order to expedite matters. Steve worked tirelessly to help us find the right home

 

~ Chard

Over the last 15 years I have used Steve and Kyle on 4 different occasions. It was a pleasure working with them on each transaction. I will continue to work with them exclusively in the future. They have become good friends.

 

~ Dion and Judy

Steve, You are too awesome for words... Thank you so very much. I can sleep well tonight., Have a restful night yourself. Bless you. Deb

 

~ Deb

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