SELECT A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR
They will help you sell your old house and purchase a new one. The members of the Trident Association of REALTORS know the Charleston Trident area and its housing market. These Professionals will analyze your needs and locate a home that is tailor made for your family.
TEMPORARY LODGING
Newcomers are captivated by the quality of the Charleston Trident area's hotels and motels, which range from the Historic District's quaint bed-and-breakfast inns to opulent beachfront resorts.Even with some 10,000 hotel/motel and inn rooms in the Trident area, it is advisable to make advance reservations. For a complete listing of area accommodations and room rates:
CHARLESTON TRIDENT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
P.O. Box 975 Charleston, S.C. 29402 853-8000, toll free (800) 868-8118
EXPENSES AND TAXES
Review IRS procedures for claiming tax deductions on your moving expenses. The provisions of schedule A Itemized Deductions, Form 1040, allow employees and self-employed persons to deduct certain moving expenses, if the move is in connection with your job or work place. Filing for these deductions also requires that your new work place be at least 35 miles further from your old home than your old home was from your former work place. If you meet any IRS deduction requirements, call the local IRS office and request Publication 521; Moving Expenses. If you qualify, you should be able to deduct some of the following expenses:
meal, travel, and lodging expenses incurred during the move to a new home
selling your old home and purchasing a new one
house hunting trips before you move
moving household items and personal effects, including certain storage expenses
Living temporarily at a new location.
MOVING CHECKLIST FOR PRE-MOVE ACTIVITIES
Confirm hotel and travel arrangements in advance.
Check interstate regulations concerning transportation of pets and plants.
Send out change of address notices to the post office, credit card companies, banks, charge accounts, the State Department of Motor Vehicles, insurance companies and magazines.
Arrange to have all utilities disconnected. Obtain any deposits and letters of credit from the power and phone companies.
Close or transfer personal checking and savings accounts. Buy travelers checks. Empty safety deposit boxes.
NEWCOMER SERVICES
Local chambers of commerce provide information to aid new residents relocating to the Trident area. Kits are available from the following chambers:
Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce
Nesbit House, Old Hwy. 52 .... P.O. Box 905 .... Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461 .... 577-9549.
Charleston Trident Chamber of Commerce
81 Mary Street .... P.O. Box 975 .... Charleston, S.C. 29402 .... 577-2510.
Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
106 East Doty Avenue .... P.O. Box 670 .... Summerville, S.C. 29484 .... 873-2931.
PACKING TIPS
Mark all items that will not be shipped by the moving company, in order to prevent any mix ups.
Organize and label all boxes for contents, designating where they should be left in the new home.
Empty gas out of any power tools, such as a lawn mower, and dispose of all volatile and corrosive chemicals.
Clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer and place several pieces of charcoal in the freezer to prevent mold and mildew.
Pack all essential items house keys, medical and dental records, school transcripts, insurance policies, credit cards, bills and tax records in a safe and easily accessible location.
Moving company fees are based on shipment weight, so dispose of anything you no longer need.
Tools and personal items aspirin, can openers, hammer, silverware, paper plates, screwdriver,flashlight and batteries, soap, toilet paper and scissors can be lifesavers in a new home.
STEPS TO HIRING A MOVING COMPANY
Choosing The Moving Company:
Compare the cost and convenience of moving yourself to hiring a moving company.
Most transport companies will give you a free estimate of their services based on the distance of the move and the amount of cargo hauled.
Generally, the actual cost of your move will be calculated on the weight of your shipment.
INVENTORY:
Not all moving companies take an inventory of the shipment, so it' s advisable that you do this for yourself.
If the moving company damages any of your belongings, you will need a record in order to file acclaim.
Ask the moving company. to determine if a partial load will create any problems. Remember, if your furniture and other belongings fill up one half of a truck, the moving line may complete the shipment by supplementing it with the belongings of another family o moving to the same area.This can delay the departure of your goods or even delay their arrival if the moving truck has to travel to another home before it reaches your house.
CONFIRMATION OF PICKUP AND ARRIVAL DATES IN ADVANCE:
Find a mover that will guarantee pickup and delivery dates. This should be a part of the contract signed with the mover.
LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE:
Make sure liability insurance coverage is included on your moving contract. Most companies will insure your shipment for a specified limit. The Interstate Commerce Commission, a federal regulatory agency for interstate moves, will send you a free pamphlet, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. Send for a copy at ICC Office of Compliance and Consumer Assistance, Washington, D.C. 20423.
THE CENTRAL BRANCH OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE:
Adams Run .... 5190 Hwy. 174 .... 889-8553
Charleston, Downtown .... East Bay Station .... 557 East Bay St. .... 722-3624
Charleston, Downtown .... Old Main Office Station .... 83 Broad St. .... 577-0688 or 577-0690
Folly Beach .... 107 East Indian St. .... 588-2244
Goose Creek .... 307 N. Goose Creek Blvd. .... 553-032 1
Hollywood .... 6345 Hwy. 162 .... 889-2624
Isle of Palms .... 1000 Palms Blvd. .... 886-6536
James Island .... 579 Folly Rd. .... 795-5006
Johns Island .... 2860 Maybank Hwy. .... 559-0622
Ladson .... 3213 Ladson Rd. .... 797- 1 989
Moncks Corner .... 117 Hwy. 52 North .... 761-8455
Mt. Pleasant .... 1050 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. .... 884-822 1
N. Charleston .... Pinehaven .... 2180 McMillan Ave. .... 744-7810
Naval Base .... Halsey and Dyess Bldg. 650 .... 743-6305
North Charleston .... 6401 Rivers Ave. .... 569-2610
North Charleston .... 7075 Cross County Rd. .... 760-5421 or 760-5300
Ravenel .... 6239 Savannah Hwy. .... 889-8990
Ridgeville .... 185 Church St. .... 873-3512
St. George .... 5988 West Jim Bilton Blvd. .... 563-3551
Sullivan's Island .... 2051 Middle St. .... 883-3461
Summerville .... East 3rd North St. .... 873-3571
Wadmalaw Island .... 1917 Liberia Rd. .... 559-0506
West Ashley; St. Andrews .... 78 Sycamore Ave. .... 766-4031