Complete Guide for Relocating to a New Home

Complete Guide for Relocating to a New
Home
By: Adam Wiese
(University of Adelaide)
Abstract
Relocation can be a long and exhausting process, riddled by the need to safely
secure items while still going about your daily life of work, school or parenting
responsibilities. When time is limited, the move is even more stressful as you
struggle to pack up your belongings and get them to the next location.
However, with an organized plan, you can quickly and safely get your
belongings out of the old house and into the new.

1.0 Introduction
Relocation is a hassle as we all know, it is very expensive and everyone wants
to save money and time while moving. It is possible to simplify a house move
by preplanning it in advance. An organised move is smoother and inexpensive
as compare to moving without a plan. So knock out these to-dos before
moving in and you’ll be able to enjoy life in your new home stress-free, the
way you deserve.
2.0 Plan a Stress less Relocation
Whether your last move was across the country or across the street, it
probably ended with two words: “Never again!” But you don’t always have the
luxury of staying in the same place forever. Sooner or later, you find yourself
surrounded by cardboard boxes and packing tape again. Don’t despair.
Here, you’ll learn how to hire a mover (or move yourself), pack your
belongings properly, and do it all with relative ease. Take this advice―and
maybe the two words that end your next move will be, simply, “I’m home.”
Choosing a Mover
Of course, there is more than one way to move. Depending on the size of your
home, the distance of the move, your budget, and the amount of time you have
to get yourself situated, you might choose to rent a truck and move yourself,
hire a mover to do the job, or use a “you pack; we drive” service. Here’s the
lowdown on each option.
Do it yourself. Are you comfortable driving a big truck on busy highways and
narrow streets? Do you live in a fairly small home and have a few strong, very
good friends you can recruit to help you? If so, moving yourself might be a
good option, and an economical one, since you’re not paying a mover to load,
drive, and unload your stuff. It’s also the option that gives you the most
control.

Just be aware of hidden costs, such as insurance for the rental truck (your
auto policy probably doesn’t cover this, and neither will the credit card you
rent the truck with), gas, and the rental or purchase of special equipment
you’ll need, like dollies and quilted furniture covers.
To check rates, reserve equipment, and find rental locations near you, go to
uhaul.com or budgettruck.com. You might get better rates if you rent your
truck midweek and midmonth and reserve it as far in advance as possible (as
soon as you have an exact date for your move). See the Moving Checklist or
download a printable copy for a detailed moving timeline.
You pack and load; they drive. Several nationwide companies, such as ABF
U-Pack Moving and Broadway Express, offer what they call self-move service.
ABF U-Pack will move you only if you’re going out of state and more than 500
miles. Broadway Express will move you any distance, but shorter moves are
relatively expensive because certain minimum charges apply. Both services
deliver a trailer or a van to your house, where you load it. They then provide a
professional driver, who takes your things to your new home, where you
unload them.
This option saves you the hassle of driving a truck, and it is less expensive
than using a full-service mover. You share the space on the truck with other
customers (if you don’t need it all) and pay for only the space you use. Both
companies have calculators on their websites to estimate the costs (see Web
Resources on next page). You can get an initial quote by phone, fax, or e-mail,
but be aware that actual charges will be higher if you exceed your estimated
load.
Hiring a full-service mover. If you can’t afford to spend a lot of time getting
from here to there, you’re moving a long distance, or you have a lot of stuff,
this is your best bet. Good professional movers have the experience and
equipment to move you quickly while avoiding damage to your property. “The
first thing we do is protect the property by putting down floor runners,
covering railings and doors, and putting down floorboard if we’re moving
heavy appliances,” explains Jon Hollander, an owner of Hollander Storage &

Moving Company, based outside of Chicago. Many movers will even pack
everything for you ― a convenience that can be worth the additional cost (20
to 30 percent of the price of your move), especially if you have limited time.
There are bad moving companies. Of the more than 1,100 industries that the
Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on, the moving industry ranked 14th in
consumer complaints in 2003. So be sure to carefully check out anyone you’re
considering.
What You’ll Need
When planning your move, don’t forget the packing supplies. You can expect
to spend around $250 or more on what’s needed to move the belongings of a
couple or a small family. And keep in mind, it’s always better to get too many
materials than too few. You don’t need last-minute box-gathering trips adding
to the stress of your move. Here’s a list of what to have on hand.
Regular boxes. If you’re moving good stuff―and why would you pay to move
bad stuff?―you should use good boxes. If you have used boxes and they’re in
decent shape (not bent, torn, or damp), go ahead and use those. Hollander,
however, recommends that you buy new boxes, made of strong corrugated
cardboard (with an edge-crush test rating of at least 32 pounds per inch
printed on the box). They cost from $1 to $5 each, depending on the size, but
are less expensive when purchased in bulk. Whether you choose old or new
boxes, make sure you have a variety of sizes to accommodate the different
items you need to move.
So how many boxes do you need? “That’s like asking, ‘How long is a piece of
string?’ ” Hollander says. As a rule of thumb, you should count on using at least
100 boxes for a sparsely furnished three-bedroom home, says Neil Vansant of
Atlantic Relocation Services, a full-service mover in Atlanta that specializes in
corporate moves.
Specialized boxes. For dishes and other fragile or heavy items, make sure to
use “dish barrels,” which cost between $5 and $7 and are made of doublewalled
cardboard.

Wardrobe boxes, with a metal bar for hanging clothes, greatly simplify the
packing and unpacking. Some movers may supply you with free wardrobe
boxes for your move, which they’ll collect once you unpack them―make sure
to ask before you place your box order. Expect to pay $7 to $15 each,
depending on the size, if you have to buy them.
Long flat-frame boxes are ideal for protecting most large pieces of art and
mirrors. These, too, may be provided by movers. If you’re moving yourself,
you can purchase them from truck-rental companies.
Tape and tape guns. Brown packing tape, not surprisingly, is ideal. Never use
masking tape or duct tape―they don’t stick well to cardboard. A couple of
heavy-duty tape guns―one for you, one for your spouse or a friend―make
taping and cutting a lot quicker. To pack up the contents of seven to eight
rooms, you’ll need at least 440 yards of two-inch-wide tape. (Tape rolls come
in 55- and 110-yard sizes.)
Packing paper. This is a professional mover’s secret weapon. Sold in 10- and
25-pound packages, packing paper (unprinted newsprint) is the most
economical and versatile material for protecting nearly everything you’re
moving. Use it for wrapping fragile items, and crumple it up for padding.
“People think we use way too much paper,” Vansant says, “but it really creates
the protection you need.” And unlike bubble wrap, it can be recycled. Many
moving-supply companies sell specialized packing accessories―such as little
foam bags and cardboard “cell kits” to protect glassware and other fragile
items―but Vansant stresses that almost everything can be packed with simple
packing paper.
Because it can stain, regular newspaper should be used only for extra padding
around already wrapped items. For an average seven- to eight-room move,
professional movers use as much as 120 pounds of packing paper.
Bubble wrap. It is expensive compared with packing paper but comes in
handy to protect artwork framed behind glass and extremely fragile china and

glassware, which should be wrapped in bubble wrap and then in packing
paper.
Box cutters. They will help make unpacking a breeze.
Permanent markers. Get thick ones to mark your boxes for easy
identification. Label boxes on the sides, not the tops, which may be covered by
other boxes.
Mattress bags and furniture pads. If you’ve hired a full-service moving
company, it will supply everything needed to protect your furniture as part of
your total move cost. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll have to buy the bags for
$3 to $6 and rent the pads for about $10 per dozen. Both are available from
the leading truck-rental companies.
Dollies and hand carts. If you’re moving yourself, your back will thank you
for using wheels to move heavy loads. Dollies and hand carts can be rented for
about $10 a day wherever you get your truck. You can also buy furniture
slides there. These go beneath the feet of heavy items, such as a couch,
allowing you to easily slide them across the floor without damaging it.
3.0 Start Packing Your Stuff in Advance
Moving takes time and if you're doing your own packing, which most people
will do, make sure you give yourself lots of time—at least six weeks before
your move date and plan carefully. Careful planning and packing will save you
time, money and a lot of hair pulling.

Where to Start
Decide what will move with you and what will stay behind. There may be
items that you don't need anymore or that aren't worth moving or perhaps
your move is temporary and certain unnecessary things can be put into
storage. No matter what the answer is, decide beforehand what stays and
what goes. If you have items already in storage, make sure you take a
thorough inventory to ensure you're not moving items you could do without.
Collect supplies. Try to estimate what you'll need and make sure you have
enough on hand. Start collecting boxes from your place of work, from friends,
or from stores. Or purchase moving kits or packing kits online or from moving
companies.
Pack non-essentials. Start packing items you can do without. If you're moving
in the summer, pack all your winter clothes, sports equipment, and heavy
blankets.

Get Organized
Label boxes. While you're packing boxes, make sure you label the top and
sides of boxes with contents, the location of contents in your house, and if
there are any special instructions, such as "fragile" or "open first." This will
assist the movers in putting the boxes in the correct room and will warn them
of any fragile items. Also, by keeping a complete list of the contents on the
outside of the box, you'll save time digging through 10 boxes marked
"kitchen" just to find the can opener.
Take inventory. Number the boxes and keep a running inventory list to check
off when the movers are unloading them into your new place. This way, if a
box goes missing, you can easily identify which number it is and what is
contained within it. Again, insurance companies love this kind of detail.
Make Sure Your Stuff Arrives Safely
Properly label boxes with stickers that instruct the movers on how to handle
the contents. Stickers can be bought at an office supply store or made on your
own computer.
Clothes, towels, linens, and pillows can be used to keep fragile items safe. Just
make sure you mark this on the box for when the box is unpacked. If the
person who is unpacking the box is unaware that a crystal vase is wrapped in
a fleece blanket, they could easily unfurl the blanket sending the vase crashing
to the floor.
Make sure you properly wrap all fragile items in several layers of bubble wrap
and pack them on their edge (plates, mirrors, picture frames, etc). Bubble
wrap is strongly recommended. It's inexpensive and will prevent dishes and
other fragiles from bumping against one another.
Tape any stray items together into a bundle. Ski poles, brooms, mops, lamp
stands, etc... can be taped into one package for easy carrying and storing.
Moving Furniture

When moving furniture, make sure you keep all parts together with the item
itself. Screws, bolts, and other small pieces can be put into a self-locking
plastic bag (sandwich bag/freezer bag) then taped to the furniture itself. If
you're moving a table, unscrew the legs, tape the legs together then tape the
parts bag to the underside of the tabletop. You can even tape the legs to the
underside of the table top just to ensure that the legs don't get scratched or
dented in the move.
Wrap all scratch-able furniture in protective padding. Tabletops, coffee tables,
headboards, etc can all suffer from scratches and bruising during the move.
Furniture padding can be rented from moving companies or storage facilities.
Don't use your own linens to protect furniture; linens can be ripped and
become stained during a move. In addition, furniture padding is just that—
padding. It will better protect your belongings.
Disassemble all furniture. Any pieces that can come apart, make sure
you disassemble them. Desks are lighter without the drawers; the
drawers are lighter without the contents, although you can move desk
drawers with their contents still inside them. The trick is to stuff linens
on top of the contents then tape down the linens. This can be done if the
drawers are stackable and can be placed in the nook beneath the desk
when on the truck. You don't want the contents spilling over the truck
bed while on the move.
Keep box weight to a minimum. To prevent injury to yourself, your
family, friends, or the movers, make sure your boxes are not too heavy
to manage. Most boxes should weigh less than 50 pounds with an ideal
weight being 40 pounds or less. If you have any overweight boxes, make
sure you mark them clearly so that no one injures themselves on the job.
4.0 Make an Inventory List While Relocating

Moving or relocating is one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. There
are so many things to remember and keep track of, that you are bound to
forget some of them. And on the top of it, there is this perpetual fear of losing
your belongings and cherished possessions during the process. The only way
to keep things under control and prevent complications and is to introduce
order and management into the exhausting moving preparations.
As human mind has its limitations, there is no way by which you will be able
to remember all the details of the things you have packed till now, from the
day one. That is why there is a need to prepare an inventory list or complete
checklist of items you are packing in the boxes.
You can create an inventory list as you pack your belongings or you can just
hire the services of reputed removalists in Adelaide for the job, and they will
inventory your possessions most professionally.
Even if you take the services of professionals for this job, it is imperative to
keep track of your home inventory as a back-up. You can do this by merely
noting down everything in a diary or a notepad or can create a spreadsheet
for the same.
Here are some reasons for which you should prepare an inventory list

1. Get an accurate account of your belongings
Many people in Adelaide don’t realise how much stuff they have been storing
for years. As home inventory gives detailed information about every single
thing you have, you get an actual idea of your possessions. In this way, it helps
you to decide on which things to carry along and which ones to sell or donate.
Your home inventory also helps you to recognise outdated, damaged or
duplicate items and the ones which you don’t need anymore. Thus, sorting
and managing your things becomes more comfortable for you.
2. Saves your time
As contradictory it may seem, but it is true that making an inventory list will
save your precious time while moving. It will not only help you in organising
your move better but also can be used as an all-inclusive packing list. Thus,
you are less liable to forget anything and manage every step in a better way.
For example, by just a glance at your inventory list, you can decide upon the
packing material you need or the boxes required for packing. You can also
plan which things to pack together and save time and money. As you will pack
and label things in an organised manner, it will become easier for you while
unpacking also.
Moreover, you will also get a note of things you do not need anymore and can
donate it to a charity in Adelaide. You will be able to estimate the time to be
taken for packing and preparing your items for the transit and will be well
aware of special handling requirements and thus can inform your Adelaide
removalist in advance.
3. Helps you estimate the cost
The cost of your move depends directly on the total weight of your belongings.
Once you get your inventory list ready, you can share it with your removalists
in Adelaide and get an estimate of the weight and final moving cost of your
belongings. Having the accurate idea will help you prepare in advance the
moving budget.

Sharing your inventory list will also help your Adelaide removalists to get the
correct information on things to be moved and the services to be provided.
They can come up with the accurate price for their services and thus prevent
any issues later. Also, your moving company can even make necessary
arrangements according to your requirements like the size of the moving
truck, people needed to lift your belongings and much more, thus preventing
any delays.
4. Get proper Insurance
Your moving inventory list will help you get the appropriate insurance for
your belongings. It helps you to get a better estimate of the value of your items
and thus you can opt for an appropriate liability coverage plan. If you have
some precious items like antiques or limited versions, it is better to fill highvalue
article inventory form and specify these things to ensure their adequate
protection.
It is, however, your responsibility to note down the value of all the items you
are packing for the move as your Adelaide removals company should be made
aware of it in advance. Also, make sure to note down the accurate condition of
your belongings before the move.
You can also attach warranty or maintenance slips along with the
photographs taken while packing. The inventory list with such detailed
information will help you while filing a claim in case of any damages or loss.
You can also use this list to get home insurance after the move or for the
goods which keep sitting in the storage for some reason or the other.
5. Helps to keep track of your possessions
At the time of loading your articles in the moving truck, you can keep a check
on your boxes and thus find out whether your mover has loaded everything
into the vehicle. Keep an account of every box, appliances or furniture pieces
being loaded and mark it in a copy of your list.

The most important use of your list comes while unloading your belongings at
your new location. With all the information in hand, you can easily check and
compare the items against those mentioned in the list. You can immediately
trace if anything is missing and thus enquire about it.
Moving is not about one or two boxes; it involves many big and small items, so
it is not easy to find out if anything is missing. But with your inventory list on
hand, you will be able to manage this and notify your moving company and
insurance company in time.
In absence of a checklist, you will be able to notice the loss after some time
and then it will be too late for taking any action or filing for the claim.
5.0 Checklist for a Smooth Relocation
Who knows, this easy-to-follow guide might even make moving fun.

If all of your belongings could magically appear in a new home without any
stress or sweat on your part, you'd move in a heartbeat. But actually, the
moving process can be less of a chore if you break down the tasks —
scheduling, packing, and cleaning — into weekly to-do lists. Follow this eightweek
guide for a stress-free move.
8 weeks
The papers are signed. The plans are underway. Now, it's time to figure out
the logistics of how and when you'll move, along with the plan for when you
first step foot in your new home.
Research moving companies with the Better Business Bureau and get
recommendations from friends and family who have recently moved.
Learn about your rights and responsibilities as you prepare to work
with a moving company from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Consider extra insurance coverage you may need for your move. Ask
prospective moving companies what insurance is included and check
your homeowners' policy to see what it covers.
If you are moving to a new area, research banks, doctors, and schools.
Gather all the proper paperwork you need to set up new accounts.
7 weeks
You're on a research kick — keep it going. Seven weeks out from the big day,
lock down the moving company that you'll use and start tracking all relevant
expenses.
Get estimates in writing from at least three licensed moving companies.
If possible, have an estimator come to your home to do an inventory.
Start a binder or folder where you can keep all of your moving estimates
and moving-related paperwork.
Make a list of businesses you will need to contact to change your
address. Don't forget to list your online accounts, too.

6 weeks
Put your plan to action by going around your house — closets, basements, and
storage areas, especially — and deciding what makes the cut. Once everything
is sorted, start packing non-essential items (think: holiday decorations and
craft supplies).
Get the packing process started by assessing your closets and donating
clothing that doesn't fit or you no longer want. When the closets are
done, start to assess items room by room.
Do a first round of donations of unwanted goods to charity, sell items
online, or have a garage sale to help pay for your move.
If you have children, work with the current and future school to transfer
school records and make plans for a smooth transition.
Begin packing items that aren't used frequently. Seasonal items, rarely
used gadgets, and items stored in the attic or basement are a good place
to start.
5 weeks

Before you start throwing everything in boxes, map out a room-by-room plan.
Oh, and give loved ones a head's up that you'll have a new address next
month.
Use up food from the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Refrain from
buying too many groceries, especially bulk orders, from here on out.
Get the word out to friends and family members that you're moving.
Send them your new address or send a moving announcement through
email.
Purchase moving supplies including boxes, packing material, tape,
labels, and box cutters. Remember to order specialty items like dish
boxes, wardrobe boxes, and mattress bags if your mover is not
supplying them.
Get a box-labeling system in place. Numbered boxes, color-coding by
room, and a master list with inventory are key elements.
Make a room-by-room packing schedule and start packing!
4 weeks
It's official: You're moving this month. Ditch the packing tape and boxes this
week, and spend your time getting all of your official documents in order.
Fill out an official change-of-address form with the U.S. Post Office.
Consult your list of businesses and services and make address changes
on all relevant accounts.
Put in for vacation time at your job for the days surrounding your move
and schedule a babysitter if necessary.
Confirm major details, especially insurance coverage, with your mover.
3 weeks
Now that the basics are out of the way (the bank and post office, especially),
sort out your annual subscriptions, valuables, and sentimental items.
Cancel all newspaper home delivery and set up delivery in your new
neighborhood.
Gather valuable paperwork, jewelry, and small family heirlooms. Keep
these special items separate from your moving boxes and make a plan

for transporting them by hand or via a trackable shipping service with
insurance.
Take photos of any high-ticket items. Note any existing scratches, dings,
or damage to your furniture.
2 weeks
Pretend you're going on an extended vacation: Pack your belongings, ditch
any perishables, go the bank, and double-check prescriptions.
Pack little by little so that you don't save it all for the last week.
Tie up loose ends: Confirm that you've changed addresses, have all the
proper moving insurance in place, and are ready to make your move.
Put together a packet for the new owners of your home with any
warranties, vendor recommendations, and a note with your contact
information in case they have questions or need to forward your mail.
If you are moving major appliances, make sure that they're clean and
ready to go. Remember: Freezers need to be defrosted and you may
need a professional to disconnect gas lines on particular appliances.

Fill prescriptions and make sure that everyone has packed medications
they need in their suitcase.
Withdraw cash to tip the movers and make sure you have enough
money on hand for any unexpected expenses.
1 week
It's here! It's finally here! Tie any loose ends before moving to your new home
sweet home.
Utilities should be turned off in your current home one day after your
move-out date. All utilities in your new home should be turned on the
day before you move in.
Dispose of all flammable items that can't be transported, including
paint, chemicals, and aerosol cans.
Take one last look at the items you're packing. If you have additional
items to donate, schedule a pickup by your chosen organization.
Back up all computers, if packing.
Get each family member to pack a suitcase like they are going on a twoweek
vacation with their daily toiletries and comfortable clothes.
Confirm details with your moving company, including the moving-day
arrival time, cell phone numbers, and last-minute details.
Hire a cleaning company to do a quick clean after the movers leave or
schedule a day that you will come back to clean before the new owners
arrive.
Most importantly, celebrate the memories you've made in your home
and get ready to start a new chapter in your life. Onward and upward!
6.0 Pros and cons of Relocation
The recent release of a discussion paper on seniors’ housing has highlighted
the many challenges faced by older West Australians in finding affordable
accommodation.

Housing Minister Brendon Grylls last week said he would develop the Seniors
Housing Strategy to help seniors, or “last homebuyers” on low-to-moderate
incomes, age well in their community.
Housing plays a critical role in supporting quality of life and wellbeing in older
age.
WP Financial Planners certified financial planner Aldis Purins said there were
several housing options available to seniors with various-sized financial
resources but each had their challenges and drawbacks.
“Many people are keen to downsize but often have challenges finding
affordable options that are suitable,” he said
Downsizers left with a bigger bank balance after buying a smaller property or
retirement villa could see their age pension jeopardised, particularly in light
of tougher asset test threshold limits to be introduced on January 1.
Under existing rules, a homeowning couple could have more than $1.17
million in assessable assets such as savings, superannuation and vehicles and
still receive a part-pension. The test excludes the family home.
From January 1 the $1.17 million threshold falls to $816,000 for the couple.
Single pensioners will be able to have assets of $542,500 before losing the
pension, down from the current $793,750.
So-called taper rates (the rate at which your pension drops as you get
wealthier) also steepen from next year and can have a big impact.
Under current rules, pensioners lose $1.50 of the full fortnightly pension for
every $1000 they are over the lower asset threshold (currently $209,000 for a
single).
From January 1, that rate increases to $3 for every $1000 above the new
threshold of $250,000.

“Beware that realising too much money from a property could have the
unintended consequence of reducing or even stopping your pension
entitlement,” Mr Purins said
“If you are looking to downsize, it could be worth considering doing like-forlike
in terms of value.
“Another option may be a smaller property but in a better area.”
So-called taper rates (the rate at which your pension drops as you get
wealthier) also steepen from next year and can have a big impact.
Mr Purins said the most suitable option for these last homebuyers would
depend on affordability, individual circumstances and personal preference.
Your Money runs through pros and cons of the current main options for more
financially-secure older Australians below.
Staying in family home
Staying put in a larger home could save the hassle of moving, though a bigger
house and garden could become a handful to maintain.
Mr Purins said this was a worthwhile option for those that were financially
able. In many cases it was a better financial option than downsizing because of
the high changeover costs involved in moving home.
Staying put also means animal lovers do not have issues relocating their pets
to a smaller space, or even face rehoming them.
It also means you do not face the challenge of deciding which furniture and
other items to sell or give away. Of course, there are often fond memories and
sentimental attachment to a family home and people are comfortable with the
area.

To overcome higher maintenance requirements of a larger home, an option is
to pay for the additional labour such as gardening, cleaning and general
repairs.
Pros:
• Avoid the hassle and costs of moving
• Keep larger space
• Remain in familiar area close to friends
Cons:
• Tough and expensive to maintain
• Avoid the chance for a new start
Downsizing
Often considered a viable option once children fly the coop, in reality
downsizing may not be financially wise.
“Typically, you pay a lot of money to downsize and so you’re not left with that
much money afterwards,” Mr Purins said.
For instance, someone could sell a five-bedroom, three-bathroom house for $1
million. To purchase a three-by-two in the same area, it could cost $750,000.
By the time you go through selling costs, stamp duty, refurbishment, you may
find there’s only $100,000 to $150,000 remaining.
Mr Purins said downsizers should choose their property carefully to ensure
they do not have rowdy or disruptive neighbours in their golden years. One

option to minimise the risk could be to downsize to a property that is only
eligible for over-55s.
Pros:
• Lower maintenance
• Opportunity to move to a more desirable area
Cons:
• Changeover costs can be significant
• Over-55s properties have limited market for resale compared to ordinary
property
• Risk of disruptive neighbours from other properties
Retirement village
Retirement villages can offer great lifestyles and a chance to make likeminded
friends. They offer high-quality dwellings and premium facilities such
as swimming pools, bowling greens, gymnasiums and club houses.
But they do not come cheaply.
Expect to pay an entry cost and ongoing monthly fees. At the end of the
tenancy, refurbishment costs and so-called deferred management fees will
apply. While fees differ according to location and provider, Mr Purins said that
as a rule of thumb exit fees could be broken down as 5 per cent selling fees, 5
per cent refurbishment fees and a deferred management fee that is typically
about 2 per cent for each of the first 10 years.

“So you could be faced with paying around 30 per cent of the property’s value
at the end of that time in exit charges,” he said. “The impact on a realised
property’s proceeds can be quite steep.”
Retirement villages do not allow borrowing against the property or allow
residents to take out a reverse mortgage if they run out of cash.
“There may be a lifetime lease in place but you don’t own the place, so you
can’t draw on that money if you need to go into aged care,” Mr Purins said.
“This could be an issue for couples where all of the money is tied up in one
retirement villa, which would make it harder to fund one of the people going
into aged care if necessary.”
Aged Care Gurus principal Rachel Lane, author of the Retirement Living
Handbook, said the more facilities and activities a village offered, the higher
the ongoing service charges were likely to be.
“This isn’t a problem if you are getting the use and enjoyment from these
things but if you are not, you are still paying for them,” she said.
An advantage of retirement villages is you do not pay stamp duty because of
the lease structure.
Pros:
• Various social and friendship opportunities
• Often have amazing facilities and amenities
Cons:
• Can be expensive, particularly due to exit charges
• Cannot borrow against property

Lifestyle villages
These operate under an own-the-home and lease-the-land concept and are
generally quite affordable compared to other homes in the same area.
Lifestyle villages provide resort-style facilities such as swimming pools and
club houses and give a community feel.
A lifestyle village home is engineer-certified using high-grade, steel frame
construction and pre-stressed concrete floors bought as a new or existing
home from the village at the outset. The home can be resold through the
lifestyle village at the end of the tenure.
In addition to purchasing the home itself, residents also pay an ongoing
weekly rental fee.
Weekly rents vary between villages but for a single pensioner who is entitled
to government rent assistance, the fee can be as little as $92.60 per week and
for a couple just $103.80, according to NLV.
Similar to retirement villages, there are exit fees known as selected rents. The
amount varies according to provider, village and tenure but in the case of NLV,
these are capped at 15 per cent of the home’s resale price, which includes
reselling.
NLV charges selected rents of about 5 per cent for the first year, then 10 per
cent at year two, capped at 15 per cent after year three.
In some, but not all lifestyle villages, settlement fees and stamp duty apply.
This is not the case with NLV.
Pros:

• Affordable by comparison
• Secure, community feel with resort-style facilities
Cons:
• Exit fees (selected rents) apply
• Lesser quality housing than most retirement villages
• Any resale can usually only be done by the sales staff of the lifestyle village.
Granny flats
A formal arrangement between family members can be put in place, entitling
an older Australian to live in their child’s home.
Ms Lane said a granny flat right was typically an arrangement where
accommodation was pro-vided in exchange for a transfer of assets.
“Under social security provisions, individuals are allowed to transfer assets
above the allowable gifting limits to another person in exchange for a right of
occupancy in the residential property,” she said.
A relatively high level of assets can be transferred in this way before running
the risk of being caught under avoidance of income and assets test limits.
There is a reasonableness test formula in place, based on age, to determine
how much can be paid without jeopardising Centrelink benefits. A soon-to-be
70-year-old, for example, could pay up to 16.32 times the annual combined
couple pension (irrespective of whether in a couple or not), equivalent to
$510,456.

“In many instances, the person buying the granny flat rights could reduce a lot
of their assets, which in turn could enable them to qualify for the pension as
well,” Mr Purins said.
“Meanwhile, other advantages include that grandma or grandpa can help their
kids to reduce their mortgage and they get social interaction with the kids and
grandkids. The family also has a live-in babysitter.”
Of course, the success of such an arrangement depends on the personalities of
people involved and expectations from each party that may change over time
due to ailing health or reduced independence.
A granny-flat arrangement should ideally be documented, Mr Purins said. Ms
Lane warned that if someone needed to vacate a granny flat for reasons that
could have been anticipated at the time, the granny flat right was established,
the value of the granny flat could be considered a “deprived asset” and the
pension affected.
Mr Purins said granny flats were often thought of a standalone unit in the back
garden but living in an existing a bedroom within the home could also qualify.
Pros:
• Closeness to family members
• Helps children reduce mortgage
• Reduce assets and possibly qualify for pension
Cons:
• Success of arrangement will depend on personalities involved

• Expectations and care requirements may change over time
Home care packages
Already helping people live well outside residential aged care are home care
packages which are designed to help those who prefer to continue living their
own home and community.
HCPs are assessment based and cover a range of needs from cooking and
personal care to property maintenance.
Aged Care Gurus principal Rachel Lane said these packages could be delivered
to people in their own home, caravan park, retirement village, granny flat or
other forms of living arrangements.
Recipients are expected to pay a contribution towards the cost of their HCP if
they can afford to do so. By next year the number of HCPs is expected to reach
100,000 across Australia.
The seniors housing challenge
By 2050, the number of West Australians aged between 65 and 84 is expected
to double to one million people, with the number aged older than 84 expected
to quadruple
Eighty-two per cent of WA housing stock is three bedrooms or more, leaving
fewer options for senior homeowners who want to downsize.
WA has the highest proportion of senior renters in Australia. There has also
been an increase in first-time homelessness for older women
A discussion paper recently released by Housing Minister Brendon Grylls
aimed at delivering a long-term Seniors Housing Strategy can be accessed
online via the Housing Authority’s website at housing.wa.gov.au or by
contacting Shelter WA on 9325 6660.

Conclusion
Relocating to a new house is always daunting task and it requires a lot of work
to do. So it’s better to plan your move according to your time and budget. A
preplanned move can make your move hassle free and easier. So consider
these tips when you move next time and make your relocation stress free.
References
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https://www.thespruce.com/starting-to-pack-for-your-move-2436470
2017 | Advantages of Making an Inventory List While Relocating | Better
Removalists Adelaide, Retrieved 25 July, 2019 from,
https://www.betterremovalistsadelaide.com.au/advantages-makinginventory-list-relocating/
2018 | Follow This Weekly Moving Checklist for a Smooth, Stress-Free
Transition | Good Housekeeping, Retrieved 25 July, 2019 from,
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/tips/a18092/movin
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2018 | 8 Things You Need to Do Before Moving Into Your New Home |
Freshome, Retrieved 25 July, 2019 from,
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