Moving to Northern California?

Here's how I can help

I can help you find the right community or neighborhood by highlighting pros and cons of specific locales.

There are many great communities and neighborhoods that make up the Sonoma County area, and finding the one that's best for you is a challenge when you're new to the region.

New to the area?  We will take a tour to get you acquainted with the cities and areas around Sonoma County.  We will highlight local amenities like recreation, medical, easy access to conveniences and more.

I can help educate you about specific areas, from local neighborhoods and subdivisions to nearby suburbs and towns.

Research Schools and Neighborhoods here

Our expertise and real estate professionals can provide you with insights into schools, transportation, amenities and more.

We know that these decisions really matter, and that's why more and more families are choosing us to help them move to Sonoma County.

I'll work with you to understand your move and help you meet your needs.  When you're ready to make a visit, we can also arrange for you to see specific neighborhoods and properties.

Tips on Moving

1. What, Where and When Decisions
2. Who Will Move You?
3. Packing for Your Move
4. Records Valuables, Notifying Utilities
5. Moving Ideas for Kids


1. What, Where and When Decisions
Before you call a moving company decide: What, Where and When ...early in the planning.

What's the best way to dispose of items you don't want in your new home? Identify furnishings that won't fit and things your family has outgrown. What furnishings will you replace within two months?

Keep receipts if you give to charity.  Try to arrange your move during the least busy period of the month.  A high percentage of moves occur during the last week, and the busiest months are in the summer.

2. Who Will Move You?
Before you decide whether to move yourself or to have a professional move you, answer these five questions:

Do you have adequate physical strength and endurance?
Do you have at least two helpers, at least one who is stronger than you are?
Can you be sure to have adequate time off work to complete the move on schedule?
Will your homeowners policy cover potential loss in case of accident en route?
Can you carry everything through doorways, up stairs without damage?

3. Packing for Your Move
Packing is both art and science--art in combining just the right items in each box to arrive damage-free, science in producing an inventory that enables you to quickly find anything you need at a moment's notice after arriving in your new home.

Some helpful hints:
When possible, combine items that will go together in your new home. Pack heavy items in smaller, heavy duty cartons.
Clearly mark room destination on TOP and at least ONE SIDE of every carton.
Remember, your mover won't know which child is which, so tag bedroom boxes with BR-1 or BR-2 and tape the same tags on appropriate bedroom doors.

Be sure to have these items readily available (pack them separately or carry them with you):
Children's health records (schools require proof of immunization)
Documentation for your lender including back tax returns, last two pay stubs, bank statements for last six months.

Some items should be moved with you:
Family records
Passports
Insurance, health and other related paperwork, Photo albums

Don't Forget! Pets, Plants and Perishables:  Moving is especially tough on pets.  Have them groomed on moving day and make plans early for their transit to your new home.

Some states don't permit plants to cross the state line. Plan to giveaway your plants to people you know will care for them.
Four weeks prior to moving, begin the process of winnowing down your freezer's content to avoid throwing out large quantities of food.

4. Records Valuables, Notifying Utilities
Gather records and memorabilia and make plans to move them as carefully as possible including:
Family medical and tax records
Diplomas, school records
Family genealogies, pictures
Business, social organizations other memorabilia
Notify utilities, media and others before the move.

Check this list of businesses to be notified:
Electric power company
Water company
Natural gas supplier
Local telephone companies
Long distance telephone company
Television company
Stock brokers, mutual funds
Credit cards, banks
Magazine, book clubs
Religious organizations
Country, boat, sports clubs

5. Moving Ideas for Kids
To the younger members of your family, moving can be downright frightening. Communicate openly and realistically with all family members as early as possible.

Here are some other helpful hints you can use:

Tell children what is happening and include them in the process of selecting the new home, if possible.  If children feel included in the decision-making process, and "take ownership" of their new home, the transition will be easier.

Don't try to get rid of children's favorite items at this time even though it might make moving simpler.
Don't throw away personal stuff behind a child's back.
Negotiate what goes and what stays.
Bring pictures from the new home and school, as well as special things about the area, according to their interests.
Ask the new coach, scout leader, teacher, etc., to call your child.
Don't forget grandparents, cousins, and your extended family, close friends of adults and children.

Share the excitement and responsibilities.  If every family member takes responsibility for an age-appropriate part of the move, yours can be an easy move.