How can I make the move to senior living as smooth as possible?

Moving to a new home may seem like an overwhelming task. Good organization and the right support services can make it a worry-free experience.

At most Classic Residence by Hyatt retirement communities, our move-in coordinator is ready and able to assist with or advise on many of the details of your move—so you can enjoy your new home and the best features of your senior living community right away.

Get ready to plan a smart move—the checklist.

Moving to Classic Residence by Hyatt offers you so many exciting possibilities. To help make sure that your moving experience is organized and enjoyable, we have created this checklist of helpful tips and useful information for you.

Prepare your home for selling.

Homes that do not require much work are more enticing to most buyers. Some small items that can be done easily to make your home more appealing include:

Fresh paint on the walls
Newly cleaned carpet throughout
Tightened doorknobs, handrails, cabinet knobs, and switch and outlet plates
Deep cleaning of tile, cabinetry and plumbing fixtures

These are just a few suggestions; your real estate agent can help you with other ideas.

Find a realtor.

Many geographical areas have real estate consultants who can make specific real estate agent recommendations to you based on proven results for your type of home and location. They can assist you with interviewing and evaluating real estate agents and help you with strategies to sell your home in a timely manner. Remember the magnitude of this investment and the importance of handing it over to the most qualified and competent person to sell it for you. The agent who values your home the highest is certainly the most appealing, but may not necessarily be the best individual to sell your home. It’s important to price your home right.

List your home.

Find a top sales producer. Ten percent of the agents at any given office produce 90 percent of the sales, so make sure you work with someone who has a proven track record. Successful agents give their clients an accurate assessment of their home’s worth as well as the length of time it may take to sell—they do not promise their clients unrealistic results.

Price it right. Your real estate agent will be able to tell you what comparable homes in your area are selling for and help you determine the real market value of your property. Remember, the sale of any home is a function of timing and price. There are always buyers entering the market; if your home is priced competitively, it will sell more quickly, enabling you to move forward with your plans.

Be prepared to accept an early offer. Statistics show that the first offer is usually the best one. You can create a greater sense of urgency in potential buyers when your listing is new.

Scale down.

Decide what furnishings you want to bring to your new home. Here are some helpful criteria to use:

Bring those items that are especially important to you. They can be functionally, sentimentally and/or aesthetically important.
Get a scaled drawing of your apartment from your Classic Residence by Hyatt sales counselor along with a set of furniture cutouts. Measure the furniture that you plan to bring and remove the corresponding furniture sizes from the cutout.
Place the cutout furniture on your plan and arrange it as you would place it in your new home. Feel free to ask your sales counselor for help with this.
Artwork and accessories are generally easier to move than large pieces of furniture. If you are in doubt, bring the pieces you really enjoy and decide what to keep once all the furniture is arranged. You can distribute the art and accessories around the home.
If you possess high-value items (art, antiques, jewelry and so forth), we recommend that you have these items appraised and insured. Speak with your insurance agent about the details.

Organize the details of your move.

Your sales counselor can offer you a list of local companies that have experience with moving residents into their new homes at Classic Residence by Hyatt. Many movers offer supplemental services such as packing, unpacking and storage, so inquire with them about these services if you need them. The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) has an extensive network of specialists dedicated to helping older adults with the physical and emotional aspects of moving. Check with your sales counselor for more information about NASMM.

Movers will be required to carry certain types and amounts of insurance coverage, so check with your sales counselor for these requirements prior to engaging a mover.

Your move-in date.

There are certain guidelines that movers must adhere to while conducting your move, so be sure to inform your sales counselor of your mover’s name and contact information. Confirm your move-in date with your sales counselor to make sure an elevator, if applicable, has been reserved for your movers. Confirm the actual move-in date with your movers.

Finalize the details.

Your sales counselor will inform you of which utilities will be needed for your new home. Be sure to arrange for phone service well in advance and have the phone company connect the service a few days before your move-in date, if possible.
Complete a “Change of Address” form through your post office or online at http://www.usps.com/ a week or two prior to your move date. Check with your sales counselor if you are unsure of your new address.
Transfer your newspaper and magazine subscriptions to your new address. Magazines often take longer to process address changes. Be sure to indicate the effective date of your move.
Make arrangements for any pets (if permitted) to be transported to your new home.
Refill all medications. If you are moving out of your neighborhood, have your current pharmacist provide you with the procedure for forwarding prescription information to your new pharmacist.
If you are having your belongings packed professionally, schedule a day for the packers to come to your home. Packing usually will be done one or two days prior to your move. Remember that certain items should remain in your control and that you should plan to pack and transport irreplaceable valuables, sentimental items and personal documents yourself.
Confirm your delivery schedule with your movers and Classic Residence by Hyatt’s administration office.

Moving day.

Pack a small bag that contains your medications, pen, pad of paper, address book, bottled water, small telephone, bathroom tissue and basic kitchen utensils. Carry these items with you so you will have them when you arrive at your new home.
Take one final walk through your home to ensure that all belongings have been packed and loaded by the mover.
Once you have arrived at your new home, instruct the movers where to place your furniture. If you have prepared a furniture layout of your home, provide them with a copy.
Make sure the mover assembles your bed and any other pieces of furniture that require assembly. This is typically part of a mover’s basic service.
Verify that your telephone service has been connected and you have a dial tone. Connect a phone to the jack and make sure the Classic Residence by Hyatt staff has your telephone number.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and feeling well.
Become familiar with the emergency response system and how it works. Check with the staff of your community to confirm that it has been tested prior to your arrival.

Explore your new home and neighborhood.

Transfer your banking. Close old accounts, open new ones, fill out signature cards, order checks and transfer the contents of your safe deposit box.
Decorate your new home with your favorite photos and other treasures.
Get to know the staff of your Classic Residence by Hyatt community and advise them of any special needs or concerns you may have.
Tour the community and familiarize yourself with all of the amenities that are yours to enjoy.
Introduce yourself to some of your new neighbors. Before you know it, you will meet other residents who share your interests.
Attend the social, cultural, educational and recreational programs offered, including events for newcomers.

That's it. Congratulations on making a smart move!