Taking Care of Your
Family and Pets

Moving is a stressful time for most people and even animals. Whether you are moving across town or around the world, there are a few things that can minimize the impact on your family. Here are some suggestions.

• Get the entire family involved and foster an attitude of inclusion. Let each person offer ideas and share feelings.
• If possible, bring the whole family to visit your new home before the move. This will alleviate some fears. Plus, thinking about and discussing the new home may generate excitement.
• Pack boxes and label them by room to simplify the whole ordeal. You can even use colored paper or markers to designate each room. This will help you and your movers easily find where each box goes.
• Keep at least one box handy for each family member. Load them into a separate vehicle and don’t let them get buried. Use them to pack the most important items that each individual can’t live without. Don’t forget Fido, Felix, or Polly's box of food, dishes, and pet toys.
• Find the new schools and begin the enrollment early. You can also find local groups and activities to jump-start the family in making new friends.
• If your family has several income earners, don’t forget to begin early researching the job market for each person.
• Hook up all utilities before moving into your new home. You may also want to schedule the future termination date of your existing utilities now.

Josh Powell offers a complete relocation package for his clients. If this information would help you in your move, contact Josh. After your home purchase, don’t be afraid to continue the relationship with your Realtor®. You will find that Josh has a wealth of information about everything related to real estate.