Baldwin County is the fastest growing county in Alabama. Although moving to a new state can be stressful, planning can help ease the tension. Because this is such a popular choice that people are making every year, I created a list of things to help make the move easier. The more you plan ahead for the big move, the more successful you will be.
- The sooner you get in touch with a realtor, the better. They’re able to answer questions about schools, property taxes, and anything in between, from day one to the closing date and beyond. It is their job to guide you through the process.
- I know it seems simple but you’ll be thanking yourself down the line as your deadline moves closer and closer.
- Get rid of as much of the clutter as possible. Whether it’s garage sales, donations to charities or just gifts to friends, the more you get rid of, the less there is to pack.
- Start with the easy stuff. A guest room, for example, would be the easiest room to clear out because it usually receives the least traffic of any room in the house.
- Box all your important documents together and label that box better than all the rest! Birth certificates, social security cards, and anything else that stays filed away throughout the year.
- Don’t wait until the last week to start packing! The earlier you begin, the sooner the last box will be packed.
- Label all boxes with the room they’ll go in at the new house, as well as “handle with care”, “keep face up” or any special instructions for handling them.
- Make sure your bank won’t charge you fees for being out of their range. If they do, I’d suggest it’s time to open an account with a bank or credit union located in Baldwin County.
- It’s not for everyone, but closing on the house before you arrive can remove the stress of staying a hotel for a few nights before you move in.
- If possible, come check out the area before you sign the dotted line. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores attract tons of visitors each year. The northern edge of the county is about an hours drive from the beach, so come for a week at the beach and in a couple of days you’ll be able to search Baldwin County for your next home.
- Research cost of living before you sign on the dotted line. A new home is a big commitment, and a change in cost of living is something people sometimes forget to account for.
- If you’re driving the distance in your vehicle, make sure it’s up to the task. Whether you’re moving 50 miles or 500 miles, a flat tire or oil leak will stop you all the same.
- Moving companies can vary greatly, as they use different methods to calculate the total cost for the customer. Research the prices for as many moving companies as you can find, and don’t forget to read their reviews before you give them a call.
You have arrived in Baldwin County! The moving truck is gone, every room in your new home is full of boxes and your kitchen table is currently an empty cardboard box. It will be fine eventually, but for now things can be pretty stressful. After you begin to get the boxes unpacked…
- Do a complete walk through of the house. Make sure any damage or defect you find was disclosed. If not, call your real estate agent.
- Check the things that only need to be checked once: that the hot water tank is on, that the house number is visible from the road, whether the numbers are on the mail box, house, or both, and make sure you know where the breaker box is.
- Now check the things that only need to be checked every once in a while: fire/carbon monoxide detectors, air filters, a security system.
- As the boxes are unpacked, go in order of most to least important. I’d recommend kitchen -> bathroom -> bedroom.
- Do some exploring in your new area. At most you’ll be 50 minutes from the white sand beaches, 50 minutes from downtown Pensacola, FL and a quick drive from Mobile. Baldwin County is a terrific middle point to a lot of great places.
- Last, meet your neighbors. They will help make your new neighborhood feel like home.