WATCH OUT FOR THESE MOVING SCAMS

If you’re getting ready to move to your new home, you’ve no doubt been advised to research moving companies. While it may seem like a huge inconvenience to spend time vetting movers, there are some out there that are less than honest. Keep a look out for these common moving scams and avoid them at all costs

LOW-BALL ESTIMATES

If you’ve contacted a moving company and they are willing to give you an estimate without actually inspecting your home, be wary. Most people have more possessions than they realize, and moving companies generally factor in their weight and the amount of space they take up.  You will not get an accurate cost estimate if the moving company does not inspect your belongings themselves.

Also be on the lookout for moving companies who only do a cursory glance at your belongings without asking specific questions about what you intend to take with you and what you’ll leave behind. You may likely get a low quote that doesn’t accurately reflect what you actually have. You may find yourself in a pickle on moving day when the cost rises dramatically. Or worse, the company could hold your belongings hostage until you pay the difference.

ASKING FOR A LARGE DEPOSIT

Good moving companies will not request a large deposit up front for their services. Most reputable companies expect payment upon delivery. Those that collect deposits are often the same ones who don’t show up on moving day, or who take much longer to deliver your items to their final destination.

DIFFERENT NAMES

If a company has received complaints to the Better Business Bureau, they will often get around them by changing their name. When researching movers, make sure they answer the phone with the full name of the company. Ask for local references and follow up with them. Get all the names the company does business as and find out their license numbers and if they are properly insured. Research the company online to see if there are any complaints or bad reviews posted.

HIDDEN FEES

Some moving companies inflate the final bill by tacking on hidden fees. Be sure to request an itemized bill and look for charges that weren’t discussed beforehand. You could be billed for living in a two-story house, living on a narrow street that won’t fit the truck, or having to park the truck more than a certain distance from the front door.

INCOMPLETE CONTRACTS

If a moving company asks you to sign a blank or partially completed contract that they’ll fill in later, decline and find another company. You want all the details spelled out from the beginning, including the delivery date, price and under what conditions additional fees may be incurred.

While it may seem a little daunting to research and hire a moving company, doing your due diligence will ensure that your move goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. The peace of mind you’ll gain is more than worth the extra time to find the best and most reputable company for your budget.

REINVENT A ROOM FOR STAGING

You’re ready to sell, but you know that your home could use some updates to attract serious buyers. But you don’t want to invest significant time or money, which is understandable. Major remodels don’t always bring a desired return on investment when you’re selling. So what do you do?

Here are some great suggestions to spruce up the rooms in your house when you’re staging for a sale. These ideas require minimal time and effort and will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Turn the office into a bedroom

Does your home have an extra room you’ve been using as an office, an exercise room, or even a storage space? Turn that extra room into a bedroom. Having another bedroom can be a selling point for prospective buyers with growing families. Remove clutter and replace it with a simple bed, or even a set of twin beds. Add simple touches with colorful comforters, throw pillows and art.

Turn the basement into living space

If you’re lucky enough to have a basement, turn that unused space into viable living space. If your basement is unfinished, take time to clean, de-clutter and paint. Then use your imagination to transform the extra space into something buyers can appreciate. This could include a game room, an office space, a home gym, a man cave or even living quarters for an elderly parent or teen.

Turn the back entry into a mudroom

Do you have extra space near your back door? Then why not turn it into a mudroom of sorts? Every family needs a place that’s a catchall for coats, boots, backpacks and mail. Create a space for that with hooks, a bench and some cubbies for baskets.

Create a laundry room

If your washer and dryer are tucked away in a corner, a closet or the basement, invest time in making that space more inviting. After all, there’s no doubt that most families spend hours a week on laundry chores. First clean and de-clutter the space. Apply a fresh coat of paint to make the space light and bright. Install shelves around the washer and dryer for laundry supplies. Add some personality with stylish baskets and wall art. You want to create a dedicated space that is welcoming and that prospective buyers will actually want to spend time in.

Give the kitchen and bathroom a facelift

Kitchens and bathrooms are big selling points for buyers. They are also expensive to renovate. Consider giving these rooms extra attention with a cosmetic facelift that is much less expensive than a complete overhaul. Paint walls and cabinets with a fresh coat of neutral colored paint. Switch out hardware to something simple and contemporary. If countertops and floors are damaged or outdated, consider replacing with something clean and modern. Enhance the lighting by switching out fixtures. You can even update appliances with paint that is specifically formulated for them.

If you’re getting ready to sell and want to refresh your home without spending a fortune, consider one or all of the options above. That little bit of extra time and energy could pay off big in the end!

Buying a Home? Don’t Forget the Inspection!

You’ve finally found the home that is just right, made an offer and it was accepted. Now you just wait for escrow to close, right?  Wrong!  Your work is just beginning.

Now is the time to have the home inspected, if it hasn’t been, to make sure you are aware of any possible issues in the home before it’s too late and the deed has been transferred. An independent inspector can evaluate your potential home on a structural and functional level and give you a full report, generally in under two to three hours, depending on the size of the home. This report can help you feel at ease with your purchase and alert you to any areas of concern.

If there is a swimming pool or spa or unusual home appliance or fixture, you may want to have that inspected individually by a reputable repairman in that field. Questions and concerns relating to asbestos, lead or chemicals, mold and mildew, or pests will need to be directed to an inspector licensed in those specific areas of expertise.

Generally speaking, a home inspection on a property for sale will cover the following areas:

• An evaluation of the walls, ceiling, floor, roof, firewall, windows, foundation and slab.
• Inspection of the landscaping, looking particularly at grading and drainage, although drives and walkways, fencing, trim, doors, windows, and outlets will be checked as well.
• General framing as seen in exposed beams or attics, ventilation, duct and plumbing systems, and the condition of roofing materials, plumbing and rain gutters will be noted, too. Water heaters, fireplaces and the sprinkler system should be evaluated.
• Earthquake structural safety and whether it is bolted to the foundation or needs to be to prevent major damage during earthquakes.
• The electrical sources and wiring in the home will be inspected, from circuit breakers and grounding systems to exhaust fans and receptacles.
• All appliances, including the garbage disposal, alarm system (if needed) and all smoke detectors.

Every city in San Diego County has different regulations in regards to home inspections, so it it best to use a local inspector recommended by your Realtor. If the inspection uncovers issues in the home regarding health and safety issues, a need for the roof or ventilation system to be replaced, a problem in the home’s foundation or significant drainage concerns, you will want to further explore the problem at the seller’s expense.

In some counties in California, it is customary to have the inspection done prior to the property being listed.  When you are ready to make an offer on the home you ask for the Disclosure Package that will include inspections.  Should you see something in the inspection you are concerned with, you should have an additional inspection of the item as most sellers do not include roof, chimney, pool or foundation inspections in their package unless there are major issues and they wish to sell the property “As-Is”, meaning they have disclosed everything that they can find wrong with the property and you are aware of all of it prior to buying the home.