Arlene Finney

?                     Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move.

?                     Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.

?                     Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.

?                     Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.

?                     Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.

?                     Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.

?                     Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.

?                     Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to

weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.

?                     Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.  

?                     Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors,

hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town, be sure to:

?                     Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.

?                     Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.

?                     Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.

?                     Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.

?                     Let a friend or relative know your route.

?                     Empty your safety deposit box.

?                     Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.


10 Tips for Moving With Pets

Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network (www.petrealtynetwork.com) in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and keeping pets safe during the move.   

5. Prepare a first aid kit. First aid is not a substitute for emergency veterinary care, but being prepared and knowing basic first aid could save your pet's life. A few recommended supplies: Your veterinarian's phone number, gauze to wrap wounds or to muzzle your pet, adhesive tape for bandages, non-stick bandages, towels, and hydrogen peroxide (3 percent). You can use a door, board, blanket or floor mat as an emergency stretcher and a soft cloth, rope, necktie, leash, or nylon stocking for an emergency muzzle.  

7. Get ready for takeoff. When traveling by air,check with the airline about any pet requirements or restrictions to be sure you’ve prepared your pet for a safe trip. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, depending on the animal’s size, but you’ll need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you. Give yourself plenty of time to work out any arrangements necessary including consulting with your veterinarian and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If traveling is stressful for your pet, consult your veterinarian about ways that might lessen the stress of travel.

8. Find a new veterinary clinic and emergency hospital. Before you move, ask your vet to recommend a doctor in your new locale. Talk to other pet owners when visiting the new community, and call the state veterinary medical association (VMA) for veterinarians in your location. When choosing a new veterinary hospital, ask for an impromptu tour; kennels should be kept clean at all times, not just when a client’s expected. You may also want to schedule an appointment to meet the vets. Now ask yourself: Are the receptionists, doctors, technicians, and assistants friendly, professional and knowledgeable? Are the office hours and location convenient? Does the clinic offer emergency or specialty services or boarding? If the hospital doesn’t meet your criteria, keep looking until you’re assured that your pet will receive the best possible care.  

10. Learn more about your new area. Once you find a new veterinarian, ask if there are any local health concerns such as heartworm or Lyme disease, or any vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. For example, there are restrictive breed laws in some cities. Homeowner associations also may have restrictions — perhaps requiring that all dogs are kept on leashes. If you will be moving to a new country, carry an updated rabies vaccination and health certificate. It is very important to contact the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to which you’re traveling to obtain specific information on special documents, quarantine, or costs to bring the animal into the country. 

Source: The Pet Realty Network (www.petrealtynetwork.com)   

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain — the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same holds true when selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.

How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate, follow these steps:

1. Purchase price: _______________________

The purchase price of the home is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.

2. Total adjustments: _______________________

To calculate this, add the following:

• Cost of the purchase — including transfer fees, attorney fees, and inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage.
• Cost of sale — including inspections, attorney fees, real estate commission, and money you spent to fix up your home just prior to sale.
• Cost of improvements — including room additions, deck, etc. Note here that improvements do not include repairing or replacing something already there, such as putting on a new roof or buying a new furnace.

3. Your home’s adjusted cost basis: _______________________

The total of your purchase price and adjustments is the adjusted cost basis of your home.

4. Your capital gain:  _______________________

Subtract the adjusted cost basis from the amount your home sells for to get your capital gain.

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains
Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria:

·          You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years.

·          You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale.

·          Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house.

·          Garage door opener.

·          Extra sets of house keys.

·          A list of local service providers — the best dry cleaner, yard service, plumber, etc.

·          Code to the security alarm and phone number of the monitoring service if not discontinued.

·          As a courtesy, you could provide numbers to the local utility companies.