What To Avoid When Choosing a Moving Company

Hiring a moving company for your move is almost necessary once you amass a large amount of possessions, or if you're moving over long distances.  It makes the move much easier on you, they have workers experienced in moving large pieces of furniture successfully, and they also have large enough trucks to move everything. 
 But what do you do when a move goes wrong?  There are a number of problems that could turn up with the movers, including:

* Items getting broken despite precautions
* The movers not showing up on the day you MUST move
* Vehicle trouble while moving
* Overcharging from what you thought you owed them
* Signing a contract that you didn't understand

How can you keep yourself safe during your furniture moving?  You can do so by being proactive during all steps of the hiring and moving process.

How To Choose the Right Company?

When you are initially investigating a transport company, look for as many outside references as you can.  Go on Yelp and see what other people have to say about the company.  Ask your friends, family, or neighbors if they have used any moving companies in the past, and ask what their experience was working with them.  There are a number of websites specifically based around ratings on moving companies.  Only look at the companies that have the best reviews.  They may cost a little more, but in this initial stage, price is a lower concern.

Ask the company for references, and ask for a lot of them.  In particular, ask if they have any older reviews, something from a few years ago.  If the company has been supplying quality moving for multiple years, then there's good reason to believe that they will do a good job with you too.  Also, check the Better Business Bureau and see if they have any complaints set against them.

What to Keep in Mind with the Moving Contract?

Once you have gotten a few quotes and decided on the company you want to use, get the contract from them and read it thoroughly.  If there is anything in the contract that you are unsure of or don't agree with, don't sign the contract!  Remember, you are agreeing to everything that's written there, and if something happens and the contract says it's not covered by the company, then you are stuck.

Look for phrases that aren't obviously clear.  They may have a clause that says they are not responsible for 'undeliverable' items.  That word, if it shows up, is a red flag.  What does that even mean?  Get it clarified, or better yet, removed from the contract entirely.  This is another point where the research you did should reveal any problems the company may have with a picky contract.

Using a reputable company with plenty of 5 star reviews is going to be your best asset when moving.  This is not something that you're going to want to try to save money on.  Paying for quality when moving all of your possessions from one place to the next is a smart idea, one that will help you avoid big problems.

Are Rent to Own Homes Ideal?

A rent to own agreement is ideal for someone who is not quite ready to buy a home, but wants to rent the home they intend to buy; this is usually for a year or two. An agreement is signed with the owner of the property, specifying the terms.

Any agreement would indicate the responsibilities of the renter, such as taking care of minor repairs, paying water bills and maintaining the yard. An agreement should also indicate any changes a tenant may make, such as upgrading or repainting.

Rent to own lease agreements are different from regular rental agreements, in that as part of the rental contract, you agree to buy the home after a specified time. In some cases, a part of the rent is held back and put towards the down payment that you will need to purchase the property. The deposit is not given back to you if you back out of the agreement and do not buy the home at the end of the lease term.

The advantages of this are clear; if you want to buy a home eventually but need some time to improve your credit score, it allows you to do just that while actually living in the home you will buy. Living in the home will also allow you to become familiar with any repairs or work that may need doing; it also allows you to get to know the neighborhood. In short, it is a good chance to get to know both the home and the area you will be living in and make sure that both are a good fit.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both, when it comes to renting vs owning a home. Renting homes means that the owner is responsible for any repairs, basic maintenance and upkeep, snow removal and the various taxes and insurance. However, if you own your home, the money that you spend every month will ultimately be yours and it comes with a feeling of financial security. Owning your home means that it is yours and you can do as you wish and decorate it how you want to. For most of us, home ownership is a goal in life and rent to own homes may be the ideal way to achieve that goal.

Rent to own homes can often be found in the real estate section of your local newspaper, or in classified ads. If the idea of rent to own lease agreements sounds appealing, you should be sure to speak to a company that specializes in these arrangements, and get their advice. A good company will make sure that you understand the procedures and what is involved, as well as any legal aspects. Having the right advice can make your rent to own experience as easy and as profitable as possible.