How Real Estate Agents Can Help Consumers Prepare for a Smooth Move Using FMCSA’s Resources

Experienced agents often go beyond the basics, offering clients valuable relocation tips, such as advice on setting up utilities and finding the right school district. Additionally, clients often turn to their real estate agents for trusted recommendations on plumbers, electricians, and contractors in their new neighborhoods. But perhaps one of the most vital roles agents can play is helping clients avoid costly moving issues.

Outside the scope of open houses, contracts and negotiations, real estate agents often become trusted advisors. Now’s the time real estate agents can advise clients on the pros and cons of selling and moving during the off-peak winter season. The challenges can be the stress of moving during the holiday season, shorter daylight hours or weather-related difficulties like snow and ice and having someone to help navigate can help ease this stressor.

FMCSA Encourages Consumers to Do the Research

Within the Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the moving industry and protects consumers who move out of state. FMCSA encourages consumers to do the research to find reputable movers that won’t perform bait and switch schemes where a company offers a low initial estimate, then raises the price after loading household items. In more extreme cases, dishonest movers may hold goods hostage, demanding far more money than was originally agreed upon to release the items back to the rightful owners.

How to Ease Moving Concerns

FMCSA’s Protect Your Move website educates consumers and professionals how to spot the moving company red flags.

• Check the moving company’s registration, insurance information, and any complaint records by searching FMCSA’s database.
• Beware of companies that do not provide a written estimate or say they’ll determine your price after they load all your items on the truck. A non-binding estimate means that the price can change based on the weight of your items.
• Look out for movers that give you an estimate on moving your items sight unseen.
• Avoid companies if their website doesn’t have their local address, information about their insurance or registration.
• On moving day, if a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck, reconsider using the company. If this isn’t a viable option, take pictures of the license plate, the DOT number on the truck, and any documents received if a copy is not provided.
• Be suspicious if their telephone is answered with “Movers” or “Moving Company” rather than the company’s name.
• If moving from one state to another, be sure your mover and broker are registered with FMCSA.
• Check your insurance options.
• Never sign any documents with missing information or with “blanks” to be filled out later.

FMCSA’s Outreach to Real Estate Agents

The federal government — along with state and local law enforcement, the Better Business Bureau and legitimate moving companies — works to help consumers have a stress-free move. FMCSA is also enlisting real estate agents to help in this effort. FMCSA representatives were on hand at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) annual NAR NXT conference, November 8–10 in Boston, MA, empowering REALTORS® with information, videos and resources.

The Agent’s Role in Safeguarding Clients

Real estate agents are not only guides in the buying and selling process. Real estate agents, as trusted advisers, are in a unique position to ensure their clients know potential pitfalls in the moving process. They can also serve as trusted advocates with tips for relocating to another state. By sharing their knowledge and providing FMCSA resources, agents play a critical role in helping consumers move safely with peace of mind.

Real estate agents are also encouraged to share FMCSA’s Consumer Rights and Responsibilities handbook with their clients. This handbook explains the documents movers will ask customers to sign and details consumer rights if goods are lost or damaged during a move. Interstate movers are required by law to provide this information, but real estate agents can also share it to ensure clients are informed and protected. If someone suspects they’ve encountered a issues with a moving company, they can file a complaint, which could trigger a federal investigation.