Archive for the ‘Moving Companies’ Category

The MovingGuardian.org Web site has been launched to provide help to families, individuals and businesses in the U.S. find licensed relocation moving companies. According to Michael Hill, the site will help households and companies avoid fraudulent schemes perpetrated in the moving services industry by some malpracticing relocation firms.

The public service online resource will feature a directory listing top-rated moving service firms and links to Better Business Bureau that acknowledges the legitimacy of the companies. However, Hill has stated that it is not only BBB ratings that are being used by the site to determine whether a moving firm should be recommended to consumers or not.

According to him, companies will also be listed in the site's directory and their advertisements will appear on the online resource only after they have satisfied the guidelines established by Moving Guardian. The Web site will also include a section dedicated to reviews of relocation moving companies where consumers can post feedback on the firm that handled their relocation and moving concerns.

On top of these important features, the MovingGuardian.org site will also provide a free moving guide and relocation service calculator. Hill claims that the Web site will serve as a non-stop shop for people and companies that are planning to relocate. The aim, Hill adds, is to make moving a safe and stress-free activity. High visibility labels meant to prevent loss of property and Simple Language contracts for relocation firms are also featured in the site.

Hill reveals that his very first job after graduating from college was with a relocation service firm. He admits that the actual experience was quite distressing, with fake moving companies competing with reputable relocation service companies in almost equal number. He recounts seeing fraudulent companies driving auctioned off moving trucks and vans with the name of legitimate and trusted companies emblazoned on the vehicles, only to cheat unsuspecting customers who thought they were dealing with legitimate movers.

With the launch of MovingGuardian.org, Hill hopes to separate the legitimate and honest relocation moving companies from those who are only in the business to scam customers who are already stressed with moving concerns.

In-House Realty, a referral and brokerage real estate firm, maintains a strong presence in the real estate business by also operating as a relocation company and by offering various services that every home buyer and seller would need. The company, which was established in 2006, started with only three workers and expanded within a few years, with the firm having a total of 60 employees at present.

The firm is planning to relocate to Detroit, Michigan in August to better handle its expanding business. Officials are expecting employees to grow to as much as 100 by 2011 as the firm tries to secure more brokerage licenses in various areas of the U.S. on top of the states where it is already operating. These states include Texas, Florida and Michigan.

The projected expansion will bring more referral fees to the company as it refers more clients to partner brokers. In-House is also planning to improve its online presence and allows people to better understand the nature of real estate which has been quite confusing following the foreclosure crisis and the onslaught of short sales.

Among the many services offered by the brokerage are mortgage approvals through its Quicken connection, credit reports and scores and services typically offered by a relocation company, such as relocation van rentals, auto and homeowners insurance and utility changeovers. It is also known for providing home purchasers title insurance, home security services and reverse loan mortgages.

According to company officials, the business model adopted by In-House effectively provides a real estate client with a one-top shop type of service. This makes it easier for them to handle real estate deals and at the same time, allows the company to generate more clients and profits for its affiliates. The firm is reportedly planning to acquire broker licenses in ten states by the end of 2010.

Officials from the broker and referral firm also denied certain assumptions that an expansion can hurt the company's operations since it would put them in competition with real property brokers who serve as their sources of referral fees. Executives have said that the diversity of the business, including being a part-time relocation company, will ensure that the firm will continue to thrive in expanded markets.

The housing market crisis has definitely impacted relocation moving companies in California, but one firm that is not being intimidated by the declining condition of the residential property industry is Hemsted's Moving and Storage.

The firm has an escrow for a building purchase at East Lake Boulevard in Redding. The company is planning to expand and move its headquarters from Banigan Road to a 25,000-square foot East Lake premise. Hemsted's has been based in Banigan for almost 10 years. According to the owners of the firm, the moving services industry has been affected by the housing crisis, with less people purchasing houses and even fewer households relocating or moving to new homes.

Despite the general poor condition of the country, Hemsted's is not stopping its plans for expansion. The plan of the firm to relocate has already been approved by the Redding Board of Administrative Review. The company is aiming for a move to its new home in fall. Owners of the firm have stated that the relocation is part of their plan to centralize their operations. They further reveal that the new location presents more opportunities since it is easier for potential customers to find.

A big number of relocation moving companies in the state have lost profits or folded due to the recession and the housing market problem, but Hemsted's reveals that expansion is not impossible even at this time. The owners have stated that they are planning to transform the company into a one-stop shopping service business in an effort to make it more competitive.

Long term plans for the company also include opening a Penske franchise where customers can take care of their own relocation concerns with the help of moving trucks for rent from the firm. The plan is expected to suit the preferences of some customers who want to save money by renting a vehicle and moving their belongings themselves instead of getting the help of a full-service moving company.

Some operators of relocation moving companies in California have admitted that more people are now opting to hire trucks and take care of the relocation themselves since this is cheaper than hiring a full-service relocation company.

A family from Houston, Texas has issued a warning to other households who are planning to acquire the services of moving companies in the area. The family reported that a relocation company charged them $5,000 for moving their belongings a few blocks from their original residence.

Increased activities are being seen among relocation companies in San Diego, California. As the city’s economy improves, more households are moving and more businesses are hiring employees, particularly in biotechnology and high technology sectors. These developments result in increased demand for moving firms’ services.

The month of May has been declared as National Moving Month by the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), the trade organization that represents national moving companies in the U.S. The declaration recognizes the efforts exerted by industry members to help households all around the country, reports have revealed.

The reliability of moving companies you are planning to hire can be checked on three websites: the websites of the nonprofit Best Business Bureau and the American Moving and Storage Association, and the protectyourmove.gov of the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Moving company Allied Van Lines said that Texas was the top relocation destination in 2009, based on its outbound and inbound shipments.

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