11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company Was your plan to Google Moving Company? Think again.

11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company

Was your plan to Google Moving Company? Think again.

LINDSAY LISTANSKIYESTERDAY

Guest post by Co-Founder NorthStar Moving Company Laura McHolm

I know, you were thinking you would just Google “moving company.” Sure, you will find a zillion moving companies, but are you ready to handover your baby grand piano or other prized possessions into any stranger’s hands? So, how do you choose the mover you can trust?  Here are some handy tips on what to look for when hiring a mover.

First, when choosing a moving company, reputation is crucial. A great reputation saves you time and money. And, a great reputation equals great rates. No one ever says: “oh yes, I LOVE this company they just made me over pay for their crappy service.” So, if you take away only one tip: It’s choose your mover based on reputation.

How do you know who to trust with all your worldly possessions? Asking key questions not only uncovers a wealth of knowledge about the company and helps prepare you for moving day, but a little extra research can save you from a huge hassle in the long run. Here are some surefire questions to ask before hiring a mover:

• How long has the moving company been in business? Experience counts and a track record shows their ability to deliver each and every time. They have moved countless kids clay hand-prints and know they are simply irreplaceable: no amount of insurance is going to ever give you those back.
• Are they licensed? If you are looking for a moving company to move you from state to state the moving company should have a US DOT number, which is a unique license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation. Make sure your mover’s DOT number is valid by searching it in this database. If you’re looking for a moving company to move you with in your own state they need a state license. In California, it’s a Cal T license.
• Is the company insured? Verify that the company is insured on the same website you use to check their license number. Never use a moving company without a license number or insurance. Think underage unlicensed teenage driver at the wheel of a semi-truck. Not a good idea, right? Neither is an unlicensed or uninsured bunch of folks who call themselves a moving company or group of dudes who really only do moving as a side job. Also, check to see if your personal items are covered during a move under your homeowners or renters policy. If not, you may want to consider supplemental moving insurance.Movinginsurance.com or moveinsure.com are good resources.
• Have they won any awards or accolades for service? Can they show you any letters of recommendation? If they haven’t won any awards for service, chances are they aren’t going to win any awards from you. Remember a great reputation absolutely saves you money. NO ONE gives a glowing review to a company that over promised, under delivered and over charged.
• Be sure to check out the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Social media sites such as Yelp, Citysearch and TrustLink will also give you a look into other people’s experiences with the company. Make yelpers your new BFFs.
• Low rates don’t necessarily mean a low final bill. Study rates! What do their rates really include? Are fuel charges incorporated? Also, just like the airlines, rates can vary based on season and days of the week. Will they give you a better rate if you move on a Sunday as opposed to a Monday? Repeat your new mantra: Great Reputation equals Great Rates. And repeat again: no one wins awards or great reviews when they overcharge!
• If you are moving out of state, ask the company to explain in detail its consolidation policy and delivery windows. Consolidation is when your belongings are combined with other people’s and shipped together. It’s a great way to save money, but be aware that it will add time to the delivery schedule because multiple stops for the other folks’ deliveries are made as your belongings travel across the country. Is the moving company forth coming about the fact that long distance moves almost always involve a delivery window not an exact delivery date? It’s better to know all this upfront so you can pack a suitcase that stays with you, you don’t want to start your new job in your gym shorts or pjs.
• Will the moving crew wrap and protect your furniture to prevent damages? How many movers will be on the job? How long will the job take? Are there enough hours in the day? Will you be charged if there is overtime?  By law a moving company can only give you rates on the phone not estimates on the phone. Does the moving company provide free on site estimates?
• Are they active in the community? If they care about the community, chances are they will care about you and your move. They want to continue doing business in your town a long, long time. And, they aren’t just into one night stands but really want a committed relationship with your community and you, your friends and your family.
• What sort of specialty experience do they have? Are they familiar with high rises and elevators? Additional men and equipment can mean surprising extra costs.
• Ask the movers to measure your doorways, stairways, elevators etc… and take pictures of them before the move so you can’t be blamed for any damage.
• Lastly, let the moving estimator ask YOU questions. If he/she hasn’t asked a single question, yet is ready to give an estimate, turn and run.

Laura McHolm is an organizational, moving & storage expert and co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company. NorthStar Moving Company is an award winning, “A+” rated company, which specializes in providing eco-luxury moving and storage services. www.northstarmoving.com

Pent-Up Buyer & Seller Demand About to be Released?

Pent-Up Buyer & Seller Demand about to be Released?

American consumers’ perception of the residential real estate market was revealed in a recent survey by Edelman Berland. They interviewed 2,500 Americans who are “in the market” to buy or sell a home. Respondents were between 25-64 years old with a household income of at least $50,000.

Here are the key findings of the survey:

BELIEF in the HOUSING MARKET

There is a strong belief among this segment of the population that the housing market is on the right track and that is committing almost 7 out of 10 to buy or sell a home this year. Millennials belief in real estate is actually higher than the overall population.

• 77% of consumers (and 85% of Millennials) have a favorable view of housing
• 79% of people (and 83% of Millennials) believe the housing market is on the right track
• 69% of consumers said they are committed to buying or selling a home now

CHALLENGES

The extreme weather faced by much of the U.S. definitely delayed many real estate transactions. That pent-up demand is now being released causing price appreciation in many regions of the country. This rise in prices and the expected increase in interest rates is causing many purchasers to buy sooner than later.

• The main reason (45%) people waited to make a real estate transaction is they were waiting for spring weather to arrive
• 76% of consumers believe that pent-up demand will create even more competition for existing homes
• 74% of consumers are most concerned about higher than expected prices when buying a home this spring
• 83% of consumers are motivated to act sooner than later because they fear interest rates will increase

Other interesting findings from the survey (broken down by buyers and sellers):

Buyers

• 80% of real estate consumers are more committed to buying
• 78% of potential buyers said it will be easier to purchase a home this spring since “homeowners want to sell”
• 72% are encouraged because “the economy is improving”
• 46% of buyers said spring was a more favorable time to buy a home
• 28% of buyers said summer was a more favorable time to buy a home (an 8% increase over last summer)

Sellers

• 83% of real estate consumers are more committed to selling
• 63% of sellers are buoyed this spring by the improving economy and their perception that buyers are motivated following the difficult winter

Bottom Line

The real estate market will continue to gain ground through the summer as more and more people realize this is a great time to move. And, the vast majority (88%) of those surveyed realized that hiring a real estate professional is important to their home buying or selling success.

Five Reasons to Sell Now

Five Reasons to Sell Now

Many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? Can buyers qualify for a mortgage?  These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are five of those reasons.

1. Demand is Strong

There is currently a pent-up demand of purchasers as many home buyers pushed off their search this past winter because of extreme weather. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the number of buyers in the market, which feel off dramatically in December, January and February, has begun to increase again over the last few months. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!

2. There Is Less Competition Now

Housing supply is still under the historical number of 6 months’ supply. This means that, in many markets, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market.

There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as prices increased over the last eighteen months. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future. Also, new construction of single-family homes is again beginning to increase. A recent study by Harris Poll revealed that 41% of buyers would prefer to buy a new home while only 21% prefer an existing home (38% had no preference).

The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all this other inventory of homes comes to market before you sell.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

One of the biggest challenges of the 2014 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks are requiring more and more paperwork before approving a mortgage. As the market heats up, banks will be inundated with loan inquiries causing closing timelines to lengthen.  Selling now will make the process quicker and simpler.

4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 19% from now to 2018. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate in the low 4’s right now. Rates are projected to be over 5% by this time next year.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take back control of the situation by putting your home on the market and pricing it so it sells. Perhaps, the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

That is what is truly important.