If you’re buying or selling a home, chances are you may need to hire a moving company. Since many people conduct major moves only once or twice in their lifetimes, you may have no idea where to start.

Be aware some moving companies dodge the Better Business Bureau by working under aliases.

Below are some tips for finding a great moving company to not only ease the process but also avoid any potential conflicts.

• Ask for references from friends, family and/or social media contacts. You can also find lists from industry groups including the American Moving and Storage Association.
• Seek professional references. Contact two or three customers who have worked with the companies in the past three months, asking probing questions about quality of services, reliability, prices, etc.
• Check for past issues. Be aware some moving companies dodge the Better Business Bureau by working under aliases, so check for DBAs (other names under which they’ve conducted business). The firm you choose should have a local address, insurance and state and federal licensing. Conduct an online search for complaints and/or call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hotline at 888.368.7238.
• Pay afterward. Use a credit card, and don’t pay until the contracted work is fulfilled.

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If you’re buying or selling a home, chances are you may need to hire a moving company. Since many people conduct major moves only once or twice in their lifetimes, you may have no idea where to start.

Below are some tips for finding a great moving company to not only ease the process but also avoid any potential conflicts.

• Ask for references from friends, family and/or social media contacts. You can also find lists from industry groups including the American Moving and Storage Association.
• Seek professional references. Contact two or three customers who have worked with the companies in the past three months, asking probing questions about quality of services, reliability, prices, etc.
• Check for past issues. Be aware some moving companies dodge the Better Business Bureau by working under aliases, so check for DBAs (other names under which they’ve conducted business). The firm you choose should have a local address, insurance and state and federal licensing. Conduct an online search for complaints and/or call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hotline at 888.368.7238.
• Pay afterward. Use a credit card, and don’t pay until the contracted work is fulfilled.

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If you’re thinking of selling your home to a family member, that could be a win-win for all involved. However, you should know there are legal ramifications that go beyond familial (and emotional) attachments.

“The sale of a home is a complex business transaction in and of itself,” notes civil rights lawyer George Khoury on Findlaw.com. “Doing business with family members can be fraught with complications.”

Consider these points before embarking on a process that could be unexpectedly taxing.

• Negotiate payment with a real estate agent. For a flat fee, an agent may make everyone more comfortable by negotiating details and drawing up terms.
• Don’t skip the official paperwork. Failing to write down all legal terms and contingencies could be a recipe for disaster when discrepancies arise.
• Follow the law to the letter. For example, don’t misstate the selling price, skip steps in the financial process or otherwise try to beat the system. When in doubt, consult a real estate attorney; in fact, certain states may require that.
• Invest in a third-party inspection. To avoid misunderstandings, it’s best that a professional inspector provide an opinion.
• Don’t overly undercut the price. The IRS will apply gift taxes that match your discount.
• Let the professionals handle the lending. Beware of financing family members, as that could put you in the unenviable position of having to ask for payments or even foreclose.

Failing to write down all legal terms and contingencies could be a recipe for disaster when discrepancies arise and the argument turns into “He said, she said.”

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