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THE MOVING INDUSTRY

Recent Data About the Moving and Storage Industry from the American Moving & Storage Association
January 31, 2014

The moving and storage industry:

•Consists of 8,100 companies operating at 17,000 locations, primarily providing moving and storage services for household and office goods
•Includes van lines, van line agents, independent full-service movers, international movers, forwarders, and auto transporters
•Employs 122,600 people with an annual payroll of $3.6 billion
•Is composed of mostly small businesses
◦47.8% of industry companies employ fewer than 5 people.
◦Only 8.5% of industry companies employ 100 or more people.
AMSA members report operating a fleet of:

•50,000 trucks
•32,000 tractor units for pulling semi-trailers
•18,000 straight trucks
Moving and storage industry services include:

•Local and long-distance transportation of household and office goods
•Warehousing and storage services
•Packing and packaging services
•Process, distribution, and logistics consulting
•Merchandise sales and other services
Industry revenue from these services totals more than $16.5 billion annually. The following three areas combined account for 97.3% of revenue:

•69.6% from local or long-distance transportation service
•20.2% from warehousing and storage services
•7.5% from packing and packaging services
Interstate shipments by type, percentage (2008 AMSA):

•Household goods: 65.4% (including 11% military and 1% other federal government)
•Computers, copiers and other electronic office equipment: 27.6%
•Exhibits and trade shows: 6.6%
•Office and institutional: 0.3% (mostly local moves)
Breakdown of household goods shipments by type:

•Individuals: 39%
•Corporate: 39%
•Military: 20%
•Other federal government: 2%

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“Stevie D.” ReMax Tips For Selling Your Home In The New Year … South Barrington, Barrington, Northwest Suburbs

I expect REMAX will have a VERY good 2014!!

ReMax Real Estate Buying or Selling

Tips For Selling Your Home In The New Year

Many people think that selling a home after the holidays and during the Winter season is a bad idea.

However, there are some advantages to selling your home after the holidays and into the New Year. There will be less homes on the market, so there won’t be as much competition. Another factor is mood – buyers will generally be feeling more cheery and relaxed after the holidays, which will result in them being more likely to make the decision to buy a home. A home can have a really romantic and cosy feeling during the winter season, which could make a buyer fall in love with it.

When You Are Selling Your Home During The Winter Season, Here Are Some Tips To Keep In Mind:

·       Choose a good real estate agent who will be able to communicate with you…

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Arrests Related to California Moving Company Scams Not Connected to Stevens Worldwide Van Lines

 

January 31, 2011

 

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is not linked in any way to recent arrests in California’s Santa Clara County. Stevens Worldwide Van Lines’ owned and affiliated companies and agents also are not connected to the legal matters.

 

According to published reports, five people were arrested in mid-January on theft-related charges involving scams of internet-based moving companies operating in the South Bay area of Santa Clara County.

 

One of those arrested is known to be affiliated with an internet-based moving company called Stevens Moving and Storage. The company also has been listed by several other names.

 

That company has no connection to Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.

 

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is a Michigan-based moving company that has company-owned locations in Michigan, Ohio and Florida, and agent locations across the country. The Stevens Worldwide Van Lines US DOT number is 72029.  In Michigan and Ohio, some Stevens Worldwide Van Lines locations are known as Stevens Moving & Storage, but they have no connection with the California company or the individual who was arrested.

 

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines reminds families and individuals who are planning to move to be wary of internet-based moving companies and companies that offer pricing and deals that seem extremely low compared to the competition.

 

Moving industry experts estimate that every year thousands of Americans who move become victims of unscrupulous movers who don’t live up to the promised they make to customers. The methods of some disreputable movers range from dramatically changed pricing during the course of a move to furniture and personal belongings being “held hostage” until the customer pays a “delivery fee” in cash.

 

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines offers these other suggestions to avoid moving scams.

  • Get in-home written estimates. While there are several online “moving cost estimators,” almost always the only legitimate estimates are those offered by a professional mover who visits the customer’s home.
  • Use a company that is certified by the American Moving & Storage Association as a PROMOVER or is an agent of a certified PROMOVER. Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is a PROMOVER.
  • Beware of movers who require a large deposit or require payment upfront for a move or demand cash payments. These are not typical practices of legitimate moving companies.
  • Beware of companies with names similar to those of large van lines or well-established moving businesses. A similar name does not mean that the online company is affiliated with a reputable company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home? Why the Winter May Be the Best Time

Nice post Heather! By the way….moving services cost less in the winter.

The Real Estate Pro's

While most people would agree that as far as weather goes it’s much more pleasant to shop for homes in the spring in summer, there may be homeinwinterpmsome really great reasons to buy or sell in the winter that would outweigh the weather.  Many home sellers wait until spring to put their house on the market.  What they may not realize is that by doing this they are then entering a very competitive and saturated market.  If a buyer is searching for a house during the winter that means they are undoubtedly a serious buyer and by having less competition you have a better chance to sell your home more quickly.  Another benefit to selling your home when it’s cold outside is that home showings and open houses are much more inviting and tend to do better.  Simply have a fire roaring in the fire place, Christmas cookies on the…

View original post 297 more words

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Three tips for a stress-free moving day

November 17, 2013

Three tips for a stress-free moving day

You’ve packed your belongings, contacted a relocation and moving company and completed the paperwork necessary to move to a new residence. While you might have done an excellent job getting ready for moving day, problems could still arise. Those who plan their moving days ahead of time will be able to effectively handle any issues that come up over the course of a relocation.

Prepare for moving day by considering the following tips.

1. The early bird catches the worm – Get an early start to your moving day. Enjoy a healthy breakfast, read the newspaper and begin your day the same way you always would.

Moving is far from an ordinary experience and requires a tremendous amount of hard work and effort. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready in the hours leading up to the arrival of relocation movers. Prepare lists so you can check each task off as they are completed.

Relocation movers can alleviate much of the stress commonly associated with moving, and starting your day early can also help.

2. Develop a backup plan – It is better to err on the side of caution when moving. Create a backup plan in case something goes wrong during your move.

A relocation and moving company features personnel who consistently meet deadlines. Contact them to schedule a moving date and time that’s convenient for you.

However, a backup plan is valuable if inclement weather arises during your move. Transporting large possessions can be challenging if it is raining or snowing, and you may be able to speed up the move if you’re able to clear walking paths for movers. Be sure moving professionals can safely transport your possessions in all conditions, which is possible if you develop a backup plan.

3. Don’t be afraid to take a timeout – If you’ve lived in a residence for an extended period of time, a move can be emotional. You might recall memories when you’re relocating your belongings, and while you may want to follow a schedule, you shouldn’t be afraid to take time to reflect on your past experiences.

Stop, take a deep breath and do whatever you can to feel comfortable during the relocation. Timeouts can help alleviate some of the stress on moving day.

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Find the “Right” Agent Before the “Right” Home

Interesting Blog Post by Randy
http://www.meltonmoving.com

Randy's Real Estate Insights - A View from West Michigan

What Buyers Want.pngIt’s a common practice for buyers to make a list of what they want in a home during the search process and to explain it to their agent. However, maybe the first list they should make would have the skills they want their agent to have.

The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers identifies what buyers want most from their agents and as you’d expect, help with finding the right home was ranked highest most often. While it is important, it may not be the most unique of the desired area of expertise.

Equally essential to the success of the transaction are the combination of help with price and terms negotiations and assistance with the paperwork, comparable sales, qualifying and financing.

To summarize the responses in the survey, Buyers want help from their agents with two things: to find the right home and to get it at the right price…

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Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

September 23, 2013
http://www.movemyworkplace.com

Moving an entire office is simple with nationwide movers

Running an entire office can be difficult, but a commercial move is downright impossible unless you’ve established a proper strategy. According to the Silicon Valley Mercury News, internet giant Facebook recently moved to the city of Menlo Park and will soon be taking up residence in the former headquarters of Sun Microsystems. It’s a certainty that such an enormous move is being carefully planned and executed with the help of a moving and relocation company.

The first thing to consider is where every item is going to go. Moving an entire company should begin with a familiarity of the new space. Make maps with accurate measurements that depict every room so that you can decide the best location for every desk, computer and chair in the space. Failing to do so means the corporate relocation company will have to stack boxes and furniture randomly, making the move take twice as long.

You can also use such a move as an opportunity to upgrade certain elements in your office. For example, if you’ve been meaning to improve the desks that your staff uses, don’t put it off until after everything’s been taken to a new building. Instead, get rid of the old units during the process of packing and have new items shipped to your upgraded office.