Green Valley Arizona

Moving and have not a clue what to do, why not try this.

Whether you are moving down the street or across country, the steps are all the same. You can start 3-4 months ahead by going through each room and setting aside items for a “garage sale”. Do a little each week! [What is Escrow and Closing?] [Buyer R E process checklist working with your realtor]

• Clean out closets, attics and basements
• Consider donating any clothing or furniture you may not want
• Clean out your freezer, begin planning meals around its contents

Take pictures of your home with your family members in front.  Get doubles made, leave one for the new homeowners with a houseplant, and wish them “Good luck” before you move.

Packing notes:

• Start a moving notebook and folder to keep all of your notes, receipts and paperwork and inventory of boxes together
• Talk with your accountant about tax-deductible moving expenses.
• Ask accountant about tax-deductible items: items donated to charity instead of moving
• Set up sections in your notebook according to rooms (color code tabs)
• Pick up moving boxes, markers and bubble wrap.
• Pick up color tape for boxes designating the room (spelled out) i.e. roll of “living room” tape in yellow, “kitchen” blue, “bedroom” green
• Once box is packed use color tape for the room and number each box with brief description of content

Items to use for packing: towels and blankets,

• Begin packing a little every day
• Start packing seasonal items and those that you do not use frequently.
• Organize all of the owner’s manuals for appliances you are leaving behind and leave them in a central place for the new owner, like a kitchen drawer

Secure Documents (keep in safe place)

• If you are not driving to your new location, book travel tickets as early as possible
• Make arrangements if pets need to travel by plane
• If your trip involves an overnight stay, book overnight accommodations
• If you are moving with pets, be sure your overnight accommodations accept them.  Pack a travel kit for your pets, including food, water, dishes, litter box or plastic bags, health records and any medications.  Do not forget favorite toys and bedding
• Insurance policies
• Medical and Dental records for the entire family including the PETS
• Pet’s documents – proof of rabies vaccines and current shots for interstate or international moves.  You may need a health certificate within 10 days of travel
• School records
• Automobile titles
• Tax records
• Birth certificates and passports
• Closing documents
• Jewelry
• Computers, digital camera and any other electronics

Checklist

• Get quotes from moving companies, self-storage facilities and truck rental companies
• Contact your Landlord, if you are renting, and discuss security, clean up and date of move
• Contact new school, if you have school-age children, to find out what documentation will be required for registration.
• Contact your local school for records to take with you
• Notify your fitness club, dentist, doctor, professional organizations, alumni association, subscriptions, creditors, friends and family with new address and phone number
• If you need pet sitting or boarding for moving day, go ahead and make arrangements
• Pick up “change of address cards from the post office
• Plan to have your car serviced before the big day, particularly if your move involves a long drive
• If you need to transport additional cars, research and book those arrangements now
• Contact utilities – gas, electric, oil, water phone, cable TV, trash collection – for cancellation at your old address and installation at your new address
• Cancel regular deliveries-newspapers, lawn service, cleaning and laundry services
• E-mail all friends, relatives and your children’s personal contact of your moving information and date

If you are moving your personal items yourself, ask your friends and family to help. 

• Give them plenty of time to clear their schedules. 
• To thank your helpers provide lunch, snacks and drinks.  Remember moving is thirsty work!
• Since house plants can’t travel on the moving van, give them as gifts to your helpers or former neighbors

Miscellaneous calls

• If you are in an apartment or condominium, talk with building management about moving details such as moving day parking, elevator reservations and other potential rules
• Research recycling facilities – in your present area and dispose items you cannot move, such as gasoline, oil or antifreeze.  You can also recycle used home electronics, such as computers or cell phones.
• Typically, the recycling bin fills quickly during the last week.  Use this opportunity to clear the bin
• Make plans to have large donations picked up.  Some donation centers will accept large items and often require advance notice.
• If you are using a moving, company or traveling in a caravan distribute maps, directions and cell phone numbers. Discuss stop off points along the way and gas fill up
• If you have cable, allow time to return the cable box
• If you are taking appliances with you, have them disconnected by a professional
• Unplug your computer a day or two before packing it
• Confirm your mailing address and directions (keep copy in wallet)

Banking items:

• Set aside time to clear your safe deposit box
• Monthly bills use “online banking” set due date and creditor to pay
• Order new checks with new address
• Rolling over your 401(k) if you have taken a new job
• Purchase travel checks

Last items to confirm:

• Confirm schedules with your attorney, real estate agent and movers. 
• Check prescriptions to see if you will need refills soon
• Make arrangements for cleaning service after the movers pull out and remove garbage, clean all windows, closets and shelving

Do not forget

• If you are traveling with children, prepare a special kit that includes age-appropriate games, books, music, snacks and drinks.
• Plan what you will need to have on had for your last few meals.  Sandwiches, cereal, fruit, drinks and snacks are easy choices

How to Interview a Realtor

First, contact two or three real estate brokers or agents who are active in your area of interest.  Select those who have top sales and ask many questions.

• Internet search engines
• Drive around area to see who has the most signs for sale

Your interview should focus on your wish list, time table, special needs (handicap), and single or family size.

• How long have they been in the business?
• What specialty courses have they completed?
• Do they have access to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
• Review the agent’s listings and market values, then compare to your wish list.
• How many sales have they had this year and give examples?
• How many listings do they have?
• What do they average in closings a month?
• What are the local taxes?
• Is there Mello Roos?
• Is there Home Owner Association Fees?
• Is there City Taxes?
• If you have children, verify school systems and quality.
• If a senior, verify public transportation and senior center location
• Ask about local hospitals, retail stores and entertainment areas.
• How do they feel about presenting an offer-asking seller to pay closing costs?
• How do they feel about presenting an offer for seller to finance?
• Ask to see their different types of contracts/agreement forms: listing, offer and contracts. Ask them to go over each with you.
• Ask about commission structure for seller and buyers.
• What will they be doing to earn this commission?
• Do they have any suggestions for you to achieve your goal?

A good broker or agent will spend the time with you! [Specialized Real Estate Agent may be what you need] Make sure you have a notebook to jot down their answers.  This person is representing your needs and negotiating in your behalf. [Buyer R E process check list working with your realtor]

Tip: Most agents will work hard and diligent in fulfilling your needs.  Their educational background and experience will cover: listing, making an offer, contracts, earnest money deposit, and escrow follow up, loan application, credit reports, closing cost review, verifying deed recorded and if you are in need of a moving van, they can give you suggestions. 

Your real estate broker or agent is a special friend who should be there to help you past  the day you move in.

Mello-Roos – Community Facilities District what is it.

Newly developed areas are generally in a Mello-Roos District. The property owners within this Community Facilities District (CFD) will see a special tax to improve and service streets, water, sewage and drainage:

• New growth and services include Police protection, fire protection, ambulance and paramedic services, recreation program services, library services, the operation and maintenance of parks, parkways and open space, museums, cultural facilities, flood and storm protection, and services for the removal of any threatening hazardous substance. 

• Facilities include: Property with an estimated useful life of five years or longer, parks, recreation facilities, parkway facilities, pen-space facilities, elementary and secondary school sites and structures, libraries, child care facilities, natural gas pipeline facilities, telephone lines, facilities to transmit and distribute electrical energy, cable television lines, and others

What is the basis for the tax?  Because of density of development, square footage of Construction, or flat acreage charges.  The act, however, allows for considerable flexibility in the method of apportionment of taxes, and the local agencies may have established and entirely different method of levying the special tax against property in the district in question.  Community Facilities District will obtain public financing through the sales of bonds and the homeowner’s special tax makes the payments of principal and interest on these bonds.

How long will the tax stay in effect? The tax will stay in effect until

1. Principal and interest are paid in full
2. Reasonable administrative costs incurred in collecting the special tax are paid
3. The expenses of the services are paid as long as it is needed

How much will my Mello-Roos payment be?  The amount of tax may vary from year to year, but may not exceed the maximum amount specified when the district was created.  In the case of the purchase of a new house within a subdivision, the public report reflects the maximum amount of the tax. The Resolution of Formation must specify the rate, method of apportionment, and manner of collection of the special tax in sufficient detail to allow each landowner or resident within the proposed district to estimate the maximum amount that he or she will have to pay.

When are taxes due? Tax payments are due with your general property tax bill and subject to the same penalties.

If you are not on time with your payment, what happens? Because the Mello-Roos tax is typically collected with your general property tax bill, the Communities Facilities District that obtain the lien may withdraw the assessment from the tax roll and commence judicial foreclosure.

How does the special tax reflect on the real property record? A special tax lien is recorded “Notice of Special Tax Lien” (continuing lien to secure each levy of the special tax).

Will the Assessments be included within the Proposition 13 limits?  No.

• The Proposition 13 tax limits are on the value of the real property
• Mello Roos taxes are applied to all properties equally and uniformly

The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 severely restricted local government in its ability to finance public capital facilities and services by increasing real property taxes.  The “Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982” provided local government with an additional financing tool. 

Are Mello Roos taxes affected when I sell my property?

The Mello Roos tax are assessed against the land

• Based upon the value of the property; therefore, the possible increased value of the property does not affect the amount of tax when the property is sold. 
• The amount of tax may not exceed the original maximum amount stated in the Resolution of Formation. 
• Any delinquent payments must be satisfied before the sale of the real property because the unpaid amounts are a lien against the property.

Any other questions you may have regarding Mello-Roos please contact your State Land Title Association.