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....Important Phone Numbers Moving Checklist Financing FAQ's....


Fire (386-462-2813) 911
Police (386-462-1396) 911
Ambulance 911
City Hall 386-462-1231
Chamber of Commerce 386-462-3333
Post Office 386-462-1409
Library 386-462-2592

Schools
Irby Elementary 386-462-5002
Alachua Elementary 386-462-1841
Mebane Middle School 386-462-1648
Santa Fe High School 386-462-1125

Realtors
Alachua Properties, Inc. 386-462-5499

Springs
Ichetucknee Springs 386-497-2511
Blue Springs 386-454-1369
Ginnie Springs 386-454-2202
O'Leno State Park 386-454-1853
Poe Springs 386-454-1992

Utility Companies & Services
City of Alachua 386-462-1231
Communi-Comm Services 386-454-2202
Clay Electric 352-373-8543
City if Alachua 386-462-1231
Florida Power 800-700-8744
GRU 352-334-3434
Alachua County Waste Collection 352-338-3233
Alachua Waste Management 352-337-7007
Boone Waste Industries 352-371-1136
Big Red Waste. Inc. 386-462-6345
Ferell Gas 386-454-1883
Alltel 800-852-4222
Bell South 780-2355
North Florida Water Systems 386-454-7867
Griffis Drilling 386-462-2845
Hindery Well & Pump 386-462-1231
Myers Well & Septic 352-378-2375
Darnpier Well & Septic 378-2659 375-6873

Veterinarians
Hilltop Animal Hospital 386-462-3822
Alachua Santa Fe Animal Hospital 386-462-2222

Banks
First National Bank of Alachua 386-462-1041
Eastern Mortgage 353-335-2282

Attorneys
Marvin Binghaml 386-462-5120
Darryl Tomkins 386-418-1000

Entertainment
Alachua Recreation Dept. 386-462-1610

The Priest Theater 386-454-7469
Alachua Recreation Dept. 386-462-1610
Ed's Canoe Rental 386-454-2737
Santa Fe Canoe Outpost 386-454-2050

Gainesville/Alachua County Numbers
School Board 352-955-7300
Tag Office 352-374-5262
Voter Registration 352-374-5252
Cox Cable 352-377-2123
Gainesville Sun 352-378-1411
High Springs City Hall 386-454-1416
County Health Dept. 352-955-2356

Local Businesses
O'Steen Brothers Land Clearing & Paving 352-376-1634
Farm Bureau Insurance (Donnie Odom) 386-462-3276
Allstate Insurance (Eddie Dugger) 352-375-7511
Dr. A. Berry (Chiropractor) 386-462-5999
Florida Manufactured Housing Outlet 352-377-5143
H&R Block 386-462-3962
Radio Shack 386-462-3962
Gator Moving & Storage 386-462-3962
Gator Moving & Storage 352-374-4791
Ala. Co. Land Surveyors 352-376-1180
Bejano's Furniture 386-462-7176
First American Title Insurance 352-215-5140
Town & County Electric 386-454-2422

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Before Your Leave:
ADDRESS CHANGE NOTICES
 Post Office: Give Forwarding Address
 Charge Accounts, Credit Cards
 Subscriptions: Notice requires several weeks
 Friends and Relatives

BANK
 Transfer funds, arrange check-cashing in new city
 Arrange credit references

INSURANCE
 Notify company of new location for coverages: Life, Health, Fire & Auto.

UTILITY COMPANIES
 Gas, light, water, telephone, fuel, garbage & cable. Get refunds on any deposits made.

DELIVERY SERVICE
 Laundry, newspaper, water, changeover of services

MEDICAL, DENTAL, PRESCRIPTION HISTORIES
 Ask doctor and dentist for referrals; transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses, X-rays, obtain birth records, medical records, etc.

CHURCH, CLUB, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
 Transfer memberships, get letters of introduction

PETS
 Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.

And Don't Forget To
 Return library books
 Empty freezer, plan use of foods
 Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place charcoal or baking soda to dispel odors
 Have appliances serviced for moving
 Remember arrangements for TV & antenna
 Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them wrapped for moving
 Check with your moving counselor: Insurance coverage, packing & unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment
 Plan for special car needs of infants and pets. Obtain children's school records

On Moving Date:
 Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in new city.
 Carry jewelry and documents yourself or use registered mail. Plan for transporting pets; they are poor traveling companions if unhappy. Carry travelers checks for quick available funds.
 Let a close friend or relative know route and schedule you will travel. Including overnight steps, use him or her as a message headquarters. Double-check closets, drawers & shelves to be sure they are empty. Leave all old keys needed by tenants or owner with realtor or neighbor.

At Your New Address:
 Obtain certified check or cashiers check necessary for closing Real Estate Transaction.
 Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
 Check all faucets & stove controls
 Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater, incinerator & furnace
 Have appliances checked
 Ask mailman for mail he may be holding for your arrival
 Install new locks & recode security system
 Have new addresses recorded on driver's license
 Visit city offices and register for voting
 Register car within five days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates
 Transfer motor club membership
 Apply for state driver's license
 Register family in your new place of worship
 Register children in school
 Arrange for medical services : Doctor, Dentist, Veterinarian etc.

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Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS A MORTGAGE APPLICATION ?
A. Usually about 45 to 60 days, although it can take as few as 30 days and as long as 90 days for some transactions. The actual time depends on how quickly the lender can get an appraisal of the property, a credit report, and verification of employment and bank accounts. Time also depends on the buyer being prompt in supplying required information.

Q. WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL I HAVE TO PROVIDE ?
A. Be prepared to provide verification of income (including a pay stub and recent tax returns), bank account numbers and details on your long-term debt (credit cards, auto loans, child support, etc.). If you're self-employed you may also be required to provide financial statements for your business.
In recent years, lenders have been required to obtain more specific information from borrowers in order to package and sell loans to investors. If you were lending someone such a large amount of money, you'd want detailed financial information.

Q. COULD ANYTHING DELAY APPROVAL OF MY LOAN ?
A. If you provide the lender with complete, accurate information, everything should go smoothly.
You may face a delay if the lender discovers credit problems - a history of late payments or nonpayments of debts, or a tax lien. You may then be required to submit additional written explanations or clarifications.
You should also be sure to notify your lender if your personal or financial status changes between the time you submit an application and the time it's funded. If you change jobs, get an increase (or decrease) in salary, incur additional debt or change your marital status, let the lender know promptly.

Q. WHAT DO THE CLOSING COSTS INCLUDE ?
A. Closing costs cover processing and administration of your loan. In addition to a loan fee, you'll usually be asked to prepay interest charges, to cover the partial month in which you close, and impounds for property taxes, hazard insurance and mortgage insurance.

Q. WHEN DO MY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS START ?
A. Usually about 30 days after closing. The actual date of your first payment will be included in your closing documents.

Q. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN MY HOUSE PAYMENT ?

A. Principal and interest on your loan. Depending on the terms of your loan, the payment also may include hazard insurance, mortgage insurance and property taxes.

Q. CAN I PAY THOSE THINGS SEPARATELY ?
A. Not if it's an FHA-insured or VA loan. With most other loans , you can pay your own taxes and insurance if you borrowed no more than 80 percent of the purchase price or appraised value of your home. Check with your lender to be sure.

Q. WHAT TAX ADVANTAGES DOES A HOME EQUITY LOAN ALLOW ?
A. Enables you to finance purchases of consumer items and maintain deductibility of interest. Beware not to borrow beyond $1,000,000, or you'll lose the interest deduction on the excess. If you fail to meet the loan payments, you stand to lose the house, so this option is important. The loan must be secured by your personal residence.

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