MOVING TO HOUSTON

INFORMATION

1. • Tools and services, FREE moving quote, auto transport.

LOCAL MOVERS

1. • As voted on by the people of Houston on CitySearch website
2. • List of area movers with ratings
3. • Listed on the Houston Association of Realtors website

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

1. • US Postal Service

CHOOSING A MOVING COMPANY

Check with friends and neighbors to see if they can recommend a mover. Call your local Better Business Bureau or consumer office to find out if a mover you're considering has been hit with complaints.

Get the names of two or three movers from the phonebook or companies you've seen around town. Go to the companies' headquarters and look around. Is the place clean and organized? Do the trucks appear to be in good shape? You can tell a lot by looking at a place. Moving from one state to another? Your mover must have authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Call the agency at 800-832-5660 and opt for Menu No. 1. Call the AMSA's membership department at 703-683-7410 to see if the mover is a member or to see if a company is an agent for a van line.

Avoid moving at the end or beginning of the month when the schedules of most moving companies are filled. You can save time and money by planning your move for a weekday instead of busier weekends. And remember the worst time of the year to move is around three summer season holiday weekends: Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day. They're long weekends and they come at the end of the month.

THE ESTIMATE. The cost of an interstate move, according to the AMSA, is based on the weight of your belongings and the distance they are shipped, plus the amount of packing and other services you may need. Movers will give you an estimate to help you anticipate the cost of your move - but only after they've come to your house. Real professionals will not give estimates over the phone, They will send someone to the home and find out what the customer's needs are. The AMSA says you can help out the movers by showing them every single item to be moved, including stuff in the attic, basement, garage, closets, and even under the beds.

There are different types of estimates:

• Binding estimates are written agreements that guarantee the cost of the move based on the items to be moved and the services listed on the mover's estimate sheet.

• Non-binding estimates are not guaranteed. They approximate the cost based on the mover's survey of the items to be moved, with the final cost determined after the shipment is weighed. There is no guarantee the final cost will not be more than the estimate. Movers determine weight by putting the van on a scale before and after it is loaded.

MOVING COMPANY TYPES & LINKS

Here are companies offering local and long distance moving and truck rental services. Many offer additional moving tools, including cost calculators, tip sheets, and moving supplies. Book or get estimates online from some.

• Allied Van Lines - Moving calculators, frequently asked questions, free estimates, and a list of local agents are all here.

• Atlas Van Lines - Locate an agent, find moving and packing tips, sign up to be notified by email of moving milestones as the occur. Provide international services as well.

• Budget Truck Rental - Reserve your truck, order boxes and supplies, find a local agent, or get moving tips here.

• Mini Moves - This Company specializes in full-service small moves as from a college dorm or small apartment. Quotes are available on the site.

• Ryder Truck Rental - There aren't a lot of useful tools here, but it does supply an 800-number to be connected to a local agent.

• U-Haul - Get rates and make reservations, find a local agent, Rent local or one-way.

• United Van Lines - Some moving tips, frequently asked questions, and an agent locator.

Printable version

Many of your moving expenses are tax deductible, so save your receipts. Call the Internal Revenue Service and request "Tax Information On Moving Expenses" to find out which moving expenses you can deduct.

We offer you a three options for searching through available listings in the greater Houston area. All three search Houston's central database of real estate listings as maintained by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). The difference is in how they deliver the results.

• GREATER HOUSTON PROPERTY SEARCH. You can click on the link in the gray bar near the top of the page. Enter your criteria and submit your request. This search shows you results, but does not let you save them. You can print them and email them.

• MY HOMEFINDER. This option allows you to create your own property searches (up to 5) via our My HomeFinder program. It puts you in control of your searches. Save your searches, change your searches, delete your searches, receive automatic email notifications when there is a new listing that matches your search criteria or when there is an open house scheduled. And more. To learn about this search option, read this page. To get started, click here.

• CUSTOM GATEWAY SEARCH. This option does all that the My HomeFinder option does plus it creates a "gateway" -- your own website -- for tracking the results of your searches. Request a custom search.

Houston MLS Area map (MLS area is the number in red inside the red circle)

Here are a few samples of Texas Real Estate forms for information only:

1. • Seller's Disclosure Notice
2. • Information About Brokerage Services
3. • Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement - Residential
4. • Information About Property Insurance for a Buyer or Seller

Reprinted from www.move.com.
Click on a title below to read the full article.

1. • Questions to ask Moving Companies - These questions will yield the answers needed to pick the right moving company.
2. • Auto Transport FAQ - What to know about shipping your vehicle.
3. • Packing for Your Move - Packing techniques from the Experts
4. • The Hidden Costs of Moving - Know what to Ask before You Move
5. • Save Cash During Your Move - Key tips to save you time and money
6. • Moving Glossary - A Glossary of Moving Terminology
7. • Military Moves - 10 ways to make a better move
8. • Essentials of International Relocation - Get the basics about international relocation
9. • Visa Help Desk - Understand the documentation required to live and work abroad
10. • International Relocation Tools - Tips and tools to ease your international move
    
11. • Determining the Right Coverage for your Move - How to assess your needs before buying coverage
12. • Are You a "Small Mover?" - See if it's right for you
13. • Packing Properly - Solid tips to insure a smooth move
14. • Popularity of Self-Move Alternatives Growing - Learn More About Do-It-Yourself Alternatives
15. • Letting Go - How to manage those last minute to-dos before you move
16. • The Garage Sale - How to condense your move and make some cash on the side
17. • Managing Moving Day - How to survive moving day including the trip
18. • Moving With Your Car - Advice to help you choose the best way to move your car
19. • Tips for a Smooth Move - A checklist for both before and after you move
20. • Proper Storage and Tips for Loading and Unloading Your Truck - A Quick Checklist
21. • Your Pets: How to Safely Move Them - Learn the proper steps to make their journey as smooth as yours
22. • Unpacking Tips - Unpacking One Step at a Time
23. • Helping Your Kids Adjust to the Move - Professional advice on transitioning your children into their new home
24. • Deducting Moving Expenses from Your Taxes - Find out if you qualify and what you can deduct
25. • Temporary Housing - Know the Basics before You Start Your Search
26. • How to Move Your Utilities - A Primer for Staying Connected