The following guide has been created to help your transition to Orlando, Florida run as smooth as possible.

 Information to Get You Ready to Move

• Packing Tips

• Moving with Children

• Moving with Pets

• Utility connections

 Government Links

 Homestead Exemption:

 Did you know that you could save up to $750 off your property taxes annually? If you own property that you are using as your permanent residence on January 1, 2010, you could reduce the taxable value of your homestead property by up to $50,000, resulting in a tax savings of approximately $750 annually.

 However, you must file an exemption application for the 2010 tax year before March 1, 2010. There are three (3) easy ways to file for the exemption: online, by mail, and in person.

 On January 29, 2008, state voters approved Amendment One allowing you to transfer your Save Our Homes assessment cap to your new property (portability). If you believe you are eligible for portability, you must file a portability application with your homestead application.

 For your convenience, the exemption application or the portability application (DR501T) can be printed from the county property appraiser’s website, completed and submitted to the respective office. Once approved, the exemption may be automatically renewed if you do not make any title changes or move from your property.

 Contact the Property Appraiser’s office for more details.

• Orange County - www.ocpafl.org/

• Osceola County - www.property-appraiser.org/

• Seminole County - www.scpafl.org/

• Lake County - www.lakecopropappr.com/

• Polk County - www.polkpa.org/

• Volusia County - webserver.vcgov.org/index.html

• Brevard County - brevardpropertyappraiser.com/

 Utility Companies

 Moving Guide

 Moving can be a stressful process. Here are some guidelines to help your moving experience go smoothly.

 Planning and Packing

 Collect cardboard boxes and other containers for moving.

• Professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and so can't shield your valuables as well from harm in transit.  
• Use plastic storage bins
• Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton.

 Get rid of items you do not plan on bringing with you

• Have a garage sale or donate items that you are not planning on bring with you to charity. Many donations can be a tax write off.

 Make sure you have “necessities boxes”

• Have a few labeled necessities and place items that you will immediately need when arriving in your new home ex: toothbrush, soap, flashlight, screwdriver, towels, a couple of children’s toys and bedding. 
• Pack these boxes in LAST so they will be the first thing off of the truck when you arrive at you new home

 Appliances

• Wrap small appliances in newspaper or kitchen towels or linens. Use a medium box to pack small appliances. You can pack several small appliances to a box.
• With large appliances, you should make sure you check your owner's manual for any special instructions before you start to pack.  Larger appliances should be cleaned inside and out before you move them. Use space inside appliance such as washing machines and dryers to pack towels or linens.  Make sure you securely tape down any loose parts: the burners on your stove, the electrical cords, etc. Wrap the appliance with furniture pads and tie securely.

 Kitchenware

• Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap or newspaper.
• Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.  
• Put a layer of bubble wrap between each plate or bowl. 
• Make sure you fill the top of the box with crumpled newspaper to prevent items from shifting while in transit.
• Place the heavier items in the bottom of the box to prevent breakage.

 Computers and Electrical Equipment

• Have Backups of all of your important computer data
• Try to use the original boxes if possible. If not available make sure that you wrap these items in plastic before packing. This will keep the dust out of your electronic equipment. Use plenty of padding (newspapers, bubble wrap) when packing these items
• Use a number labeling system on your boxes holding your expensive electronics make sure you keep a master inventory list of what is in each of those boxes.  Using a numbering system will prevent potential thieves from not knowing what is in those boxes.
•  After your move always make sure that your computers and other electronics have a chance to set and reach room temperature before plugging them in. Plugging these items in before they have had a chance to adjust to the change in temperature could result in malfunction.

 Notify of change of address and gather important documents

 Change of Address

• Give forwarding address to Post Office four to six weeks in advance
• Inform your company of the address change for their mailings - ESPECIALLY for your W-2 form.
• Friends, relatives, business contacts.
• Subscriptions: book clubs, magazines, newspaper, record clubs 
• Automotive: insurance, registration, Drivers licenses 
• Banking: Accountant, Stock Broker
• Government Agencies: Federal and State Taxes, Social Security (if receiving benefits), Veterans Administration, Military Retirement 

 Medical Records

• Ask for referrals in your new location
• Birth records, Medical records, Pet records, Prescription history.
• Insurance - life, health.
• Transfer optical, prescriptions, X-rays

 Utilities

 Make sure you turn off your utilities in your previous home and have the Utilities on in your new home prior to your move in:

• Cable, Electric, Gas, Water, Sewer, Lawn service 
• Telephone - keep your phone service on through moving day.

 Arriving at Your New Home - Checklist

• Call a locksmith to change EVERY "access" lock (alarms, sheds, mailboxes) 
• Check any pilot lights in your stove, furnace, hot water heater. 
• Check the telephone gas, electricity, water.
• Go through you check list above - make sure each item has been completed.
• Register to vote; file for Homestead Exemption.
• Register your car with a new state & get new driver's license within the state required time limits. 

 FINAL NOTES:

• Keep track of your moving expenses, some may be tax deductible.
• The BUSIEST moving season is the summer.
• Most people move on the first and last days of the month.

 Thank you for your interest in our services. We are here to help with all your real estate needs. Do not hesitate to contact us with any question or concerns.