Target move dateMoving fromPrinted
01
The three counties still in the running
Region first, county second, property last. Keep alternatives alive until you have compared daily life.
First choice—
Second choice—
Third choice—
02
What the whole month has to cost
Not the payment. The payment plus insurance, flood cover, taxes, fees, utilities, commute and maintenance.
Housing target
Comfortable monthly total
03
The scouting trip
Drive the ordinary routes at ordinary times. One day with nothing on the itinerary.
Trip dates
05
Who to call
Write down the businesses you find as you find them.
06
Utilities to switch on
Ask which company serves the exact address before you call anybody. Do not assume it is the one that serves the rest of the county.
ElectricAccount no.
WaterAccount no.
WasteAccount no.
InternetAccount no.
Propane / gasAccount no.
Pest / lawnFirst visit
07
The address, once you have one
Everything above narrows the map. These four are decided by the exact property and nothing else.
Property address
Closing or move-in date
Flood zone looked up for THIS address on the FEMA mapmsc.fema.gov
Evacuation zone and route confirmed with the countyfloridadisaster.org
Insurance quoted on this address, not an estimate for the area
Roof age, four-point and wind mitigation asked about
08
What the move itself costs
FL = Florida onlyThat is the monthly cost above. This is the one-time cost of getting there. Get a number for every line before you commit to a price, then write down what it actually came to.
QuotedActual
Movers or truck rental
Deposits and first month
Storage
Travel and lodging on the way
Home inspection
FLFour-point inspection
FLWind mitigation inspection
Repairs asked for after inspection
FLProperty insurance, first payment
FLFlood policy, first payment
Title and closing costs
FLHOA, condominium or CDD, if any
Utility deposits
FLToll transponder
Furniture and appliances
Set aside for surprises
Total
09
Who to tell you have moved
Work down it once a week. The ones at the end are the ones people forget.
Employer and payroll
Bank and credit cards
Mortgage company or landlord
Auto insurance
Health and life insurance
Doctor, dentist and pharmacy
Schools, and records transferred
Veterinarian and pet records
Subscriptions and deliveries
Post office forwarding
Voter registration
Tax authorities
Pension and retirement accounts
Attorney and accountant
Clubs and memberships
Utilities at the old address, closed
Alarm and home services, canceled
10
Papers to keep in one folder
One folder that travels with you, not in the truck.
Birth certificates
Marriage or divorce papers
Passports and Social Security cards
Vehicle titles and registrations
Proof of your new Florida address
Current insurance policies
Closing papers from the old home
Medical and school records
Pet vaccination and rabies records
Military discharge papers
Wills, trusts and powers of attorney
Recent tax returns
What Florida asks of a new resident
Each one is quoted from the office that sets it.
Driver license30 daysto get a Florida driver license after you establish residency. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Vehicle registration10 daysto title and register your vehicles, with insurance from a Florida-licensed agent. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Homestead exemptionMarch 1to file with the county property appraiser, for a home you owned and lived in on January 1. In 2026 it takes as much as $51,411 off the assessed value. Florida Department of Revenue
Personal income taxNoneFlorida does not impose a personal income tax, an inheritance tax or a gift tax. Florida Department of Revenue
Sales tax6% + countyon most retail sales. A vehicle brought in within six months of buying it owes the 6% use tax. Florida Department of Revenue
Hurricane seasonJune 1 to Nov 30with the peak on September 10 and most activity from mid-August to mid-October. National Hurricane Center
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, flhsmv.gov · Florida Department of Revenue, floridarevenue.com · National Hurricane Center, nhc.noaa.gov
Before you sign anythingThis worksheet is stored only in this browser unless you print or save it. Verify property-level facts with official sources and qualified professionals.
Working notes
Questions, contacts, property notes, follow-ups and decisions.