Two Working Parents Means More Grandparents Moving to Help with Childcare

Forget warmer climates … more Baby Boomers are retiring near their adult children to help care for grandchildren.

According to the Mayflower Movers Insights study, one in four U.S. adults with children are more willing to move closer to their adult children now compared to one year ago. And, half of Americans believe that Boomers are more needed in the same town as their children and grandchildren than they were five years ago.

"Every day our Mayflower agents across the country are moving hundreds of families to their new homes, and many agents report that they're seeing more Boomers move to be near their children and grandchildren," said Melissa Sullivan, director, marketing communications, Mayflower. "This survey data supports the trend that our agents are seeing in the field, and helps us not only analyze where our customers move, but understand the reasons why."

Forty percent of survey respondents said their friends and family members age 50 or older have moved in the last year to be closer to their children and grandchildren in order to provide care for grandchildren. Additionally, one in five Americans said their friends and family members moved because their children needed additional help with their kids because both parents work. This new data complements the results of a 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, which found that 59.1 percent of all U.S. families with children under the age of 18 had two working parents.

"Both my son and daughter-in-law work full-time and neither wanted to leave their jobs when my granddaughter was born, but they also didn't want to spend a fortune on daycare," said Wanda Dobson, a Mayflower customer who recently relocated from Rolla, Mo. toSt. Louis to be near family and provide support with childcare. "I wanted to be able to see my grandkids grow up so I decided to move to St. Louis to help care for the baby while mom and dad are at work."

"Family dynamics have shifted dramatically over the last 50 years, largely due to the increasing number of families with two working parents, high rate of divorce, large number of cohabiting couples and single parents," said Dr. Philip Cohen, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland who studies household and family structure. "All of these factors have led to an increased need for childcare across the U.S. and therefore an increased reliance on grandparents for support."

The Boomerang Effect – Once Fleeing the Coop, Millennials are Returning HomeThe Mayflower Movers Insights study also found that one in four U.S Millennials (age 18 to 34) have moved back to their hometown in the past five years. When asked why they're moving home, 68 percent of Millennial respondents cited that they wished to be closer to family, friends and significant others. An additional 18 percent said they were moving to help care for family members.

"After college, my husband and I moved to Los Angeles to start our careers," said Ashley Luther, a Mayflower customer. "But when we wanted to buy a house, we decided to move back to our hometown of St. Louis because it offers a much more affordable cost of living and allows us to be closer to family as we settle down and think about having children."

Ashley and her husband are not alone in following this logic. One-third of U.S. Millennials who do not currently live in their hometown would consider moving to their hometown at some point in their life. The top three reasons for considering a move are to be closer to family, friends and significant others (67 percent), to care for family (29 percent) and to settle down and start a family (17 percent). 

"Boomers had fewer children than previous generations, and therefore had more time to devote to nurturing their relationships with their kids. These stronger relationships probably are a big factor that is drawing Millennials back to live in their hometown near their parents," added Dr. Cohen. "Many of these Millennials appear to be moving back to their hometowns to receive help from their parents with childcare, but there's also a large number who are returning to provide care for their aging parents." 

Mayflower, America's most recognized and trusted moving company, moves an average of 60,000 families each year and has 300 agents across the country. Read Mayflower's moving tips to learn how to save time and money and avoid moving scams.

Survey Background and MethodologyRespondents to the survey were selected from Research Now's consumer panel to reflect a general distribution of the consumer population, ages 18 years and older. Respondents were also selected by regional geographic distribution (South, West, Northeast, Midwest) to reflect U.S. demographics. Without knowledge of Mayflower's sponsorship, 1,000 general U.S. adult population respondents completed the survey. Age/generation groups were assigned using the following criteria: Millennial: age 18-34; Gen X: age 35-49; Boomer: age 50-64; Pre-Boomer: age 65+. Additional samples were collected for Millennial and Boomer generational groups to ensure adequate sample sizes for questions specifically addressed to those groups. These responses were weighted to reflect standard U.S. distribution of age groups. For these (Millennial and Boomer) an additional 200 responses were collected for each group, resulting in a total of 1,400 total respondents.

Nearly 1 in 10 in the U.S. Want to Move, Census Bureau Reports

Nearly 10 percent of U.S. residents are dissatisfied with their current housing, neighborhood, local safety or public services to the point that they want to move, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report. However, only 18.3 percent of the 11.2 million householders who wanted to move actually did so between 2010 and 2011.

"Fifty-six percent of people who didn't move in 2010 but wanted to, no longer wanted to move when interviewed again the following year. However, this does not necessarily mean that these residents were satisfied with where they lived," said Peter Mateyka, an analyst with the Census Bureau's Journey-to-Work and Migration Statistics Branch and the report author. "Some additional factors that influence if people move include time, money, health and suitable alternative homes, which may explain why many people change their minds about moving."

The report, Desire to Move and Residential Mobility: 2010-2011, looks at the characteristics of householders who desired to move and their subsequent mobility pattern from 2010 to 2011 using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. This survey follows an initial sample, also referred to as a panel, of about 50,000 households for several years. Below highlights characteristics from 2010.

Who wants to move?

• Young householders: About 14.6 percent of householders age 16 to 34 reported a desire to move, com­pared with 10.4 percent of house­holders age 35 to 54, and 6.3 percent of householders age 55 and older.
• Renters: 16.5 percent of all householders who rented desired to move, more than twice the rate for homeowners.
• Householders living in impoverished areas: Of homeowners who desired to move, the average census tract (neighborhood) poverty rate was 13.7 percent. For all homeowners, the average neighborhood poverty rate was 10.3 percent.
• Householders with children: 14.3 percent of households with children desired to move compared with 8.7 percent of households without children.
• Householders with a disability: 12.5 percent of householders with a disability reported a desire to move versus 8.2 percent of those without a disability.

Why do householders want to move?

• 6.1 percent reported dissatisfaction with housing conditions.
• 4.7 percent reported dissatisfaction with their neighborhood.
• 4.1 percent reported dissatisfaction with local safety.
• 1.8 percent reported dissatisfaction with public services.

About the survey

The Survey of Income and Program Participation is a household-based survey designed as a continuous series of national panels. Each panel features a nationally representative sample interviewed over a period lasting approximately four years. The survey is a source of data for a variety of topics and provides for the integration of information for separate topics to form a single, unified database. This allows for the examination of the interaction between tax, transfer and other government and private policies.

Government policy formulators depend heavily upon the survey for information on the distribution of income and the success of government assistance programs. The survey collects information for assistance received either directly as money or indirectly as in-kind benefits. The collected data provide the most extensive information available on how the nation's economic well-being changes over time, which has been the survey's defining characteristic since its inception in 1983.

A helpful guide to moving

Planning and organization are essential for a smooth transition

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -  If you plan to move, planning ahead can save you time and money.

Things like packing and finding a reliable moving company are just some of the ways you can avoid problems. And, depending on your situation, you may be able to deduct moving expenses from your federal tax return.

When you're ready to move, make sure to keep these tips in mind:

Packing

• Instead of packing what you don't use anymore, sell anything you don't need. You can also donate clothes or household items that are in good condition to charity.
• Use recycled packing boxes. Look for unused boxes at local stores or supermarkets. Save the boxes if you have a moving date ahead.
• Write on the box what it contains, for example: kitchen utensils, bathroom towels, tools, cosmetics, etc. This will make it easier to unpack in your new home.
• Use newspaper to wrap any fragile or delicate items.

Choosing a moving company

• Request written quotes from various moving companies so that you can compare rates and services.
• Make sure to pick a moving company that has a number with the U.S. Department of Transportation, known as U.S. DOT #, and check if the mover is properly registered.
• Make sure the company offers damage insurance.
• Check to see if the moving company has a history of complaints by calling your state or city's consumer protection office.
• Thoroughly read over all the terms in your contract, as well as any other documents related to your move, before signing.

Note: If you would like to register a complaint against a moving company, get in touch with the Department of Transportation at 1-888-368-7238, or file it online.

When filing your taxes

If your move this summer is work-related, you may be able to deduct moving expenses on your next federal income tax return if you meet certain requirements:

• You move close to the date you begin your new job.
• Your new workplace is at least 50 miles farther away from your previous home than your old job location was from that home.
• You work full-time for a specified amount of time after moving.

Clutter and Downsizing

When looking at moving on in life an individual needs to look at the clutter that surrounds them.

BALTIMORE, July 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- When looking at clutter and downsizing you have to remember that you're moving from your old life to a new one. Downsizing is one factor that many individuals need to take into account when looking at retirement and moving on with their life. Life is about moving and clutter removal is one of the first parts in moving in forward in regards to handling a wide variety of different issues that occur before possibly moving onto a new stage in your life.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140710/125883

When sorting through your home and possessions it often is a long and difficult process. You want to decide which items to keep, which items junk, and which possessions to donate. This daunting tasking often taken on alone is often very trying for an individuals, since they may have emotional attachment to certain items that may have belonged to their loved ones that may no longer or friends who are no longer with them. This could include old pieces of clothing, children's toys, books, furniture, or a multitude of different items that could be considered clutter. This decision making process does not have to be handled alone a clutter cleanup company could certainly help.

A clutter cleanup company can help an individual sort through the clutter and find the treasured items that the individual in reality really wants to keep. These are trained professionals who are willing to helping a person sort through their past in order to better their future. They are trained in encouraging the individual to realize that they will not be losing memories, but adding room to create no ones. The past can always be remembered, but the items are presently taking up much more of an area than the memories themselves. 

Clutter cleaning can involve a company taking the items sorting, and disposing of them. When you think about the costs associated with it. It is not a bad scenarios, where you have professionals handling the disposal of items that you yourself you cannot dispose of upon your own account because of the decisions involve or the size of the items that need to be removed. Also, the items that you decide to keep can be sorted by them for storage, and this is a great time saver for those individuals who are looking to avoid a significant amount of time being wasted.

When dealing with the clutter of time a clutter clean up company can help you answer any clutter cleanup questions. They are professionally trained to deal with these variety of situations and certianly address them for you. Once again you do not have to handle downsizing your clutter alone a compassionate company is out there to help you. 

Eight "Survival Tips" for a Successful Move

HOUSTON -- Summer is peak moving season. In 2013, 15.3 million Americans moved between June and August, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. To help prepare for the hectic summer moving season, Mattress Firm, Inc., and Homes.com have partnered to provide outside-the-box tips to help movers avoid unnecessary stress and reduce property damage.

"Summer season is peak moving time as families across the country take advantage of great weather and move into their new places in time for back-to-school," said Wendy Froehlich, vice president of marketing at Homes.com. "Although finding your new home is wonderful and exciting, moving can be overwhelming as you juggle packing and moving essential belongings. Following a few simple tips and tricks can help ease the stress and result in a smooth transition from your current space to your new home."

Between 2012 and 2013, the most common reasons for moving were housing-related, at 48 percent, followed by family matters and employment. Renters were also far more mobile than homeowners, with 24.9 percent moving between 2012 and 2013, compared to 5.1 percent of homeowners, according to the 2012-2013 U.S. Census Bureau population survey.

"Many people find that moving is the ideal time to replace a mattress, especially if it has reached or surpassed the eight-year mark," said Steve Stagner, CEO of Mattress Firm, Inc. "With Mattress Firm's presence in most of the states with the highest number of total moves in 2013, we try to simplify our customers' moves by providing helpful moving tips and offering our Red Carpet Delivery and Removal service, ensuring hassle-free delivery for your new mattress and pick up for your old one as you begin life in your new home."

Whether a homeowner or a renter, married or single, Mattress Firm and Homes.com offer the following moving do's and don'ts to help Americans simplify their summer moves. 

Eight Clever Tips to Avoid a Moving Fail

1. Plan Ahead: The key to executing a move that is both efficient and stress-free is to plan your move weeks before the actual day. A moving file and calendar are great ways to keep all of your moving information, such as your lease or mortgage contract, utility hook up and power documents and other important information, in one place.

2. Get Organized: Organize boxes for their corresponding room in your new home, sealing them with colored duct tape to color code.

3. Don't Crack Under Pressure: Keep your plates in one piece by stacking Styrofoam plates in between each one, and protect glasses by putting them inside pairs of (clean) socks.

4. Vacuum Seal Out of Season Clothing: Don't waste time fumbling through out of season clothing. Not only will it take up less space and be a breeze to pack, but can go directly into storage in the new place.

5. Think of the Little Things: Keep sandwich bags handy to hold any small items you have to take apart, such as a mounted flat-screen television or your bed frame, and tape them to the backside. Label the bags accordingly, making unpacking and reassembling furniture a breeze!

6. Sweet Dreams: Check the mattress tag; if a mattress is over eight years old, avoid the hassle of moving it and arrange to get a new one delivered to your new home. If the mattress is still in its prime, use a mattress protector to transport it safely to a new home.

7. Green Thumb: Transport plants delicately by using a Christmas tree bag to keep all of the appendages safe and prevent snapping.

8. Survival Kit: Make life easier when arriving at the new home by packing an easily accessible overnight bag with clothes and necessary toiletries. Don't forget to include first-day essentials, such as a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags and power strips.

States with the highest number of total moves in 2013, both inbound and outbound, were California, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Georgia,New York and North Carolina, notes Homes.com. The Western U.S. experienced the highest moving rate, at 13.4 percent of all moves between 2012 and 2013, and the Northeast experienced the lowest moving rate among the regions at 7.8 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau population survey.

Sell Your Home Faster with Staging Ideas

LANSING, Mich. -- Did you know 95 percent of staged homes sell in 11 or fewer days, and the seller's return is 17 percent greater than a comparable home that hasn't been staged?

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, the industry's leading moving services franchise, has partnered with home-staging expert and Realtor®Katie Spyke from Tomie Raines, Inc. of Greater Lansing, Mich., to offer advice aimed at increasing the appeal of your home to potential buyers with the ultimate goal of achieving the asking price for home sellers.

Following these simple tips will allow a home to be more appealing to prospective homebuyers:

Clean extremely well. This is a no-brainer, but too many people neglect to clean their home from top to bottom. Although it is acceptable for the space to look comfortable and lived in, be sure to wipe down all counters and floorboards while keeping the closets neat and organized to show off all the available storage space.

Spruce up with a fresh coat of paint. Paint is one of the most important elements in making your home feel inviting. Neutral colors, such as ivory or grey, are the most welcoming tones and they allow the potential buyers to easily see the room as a fresh canvas to decorate. To make smaller rooms seem larger, use the same paint color as the adjacent room. This creates an ongoing illusion of continuous wall space and the impression of a larger room.

Add more lighting. People immediately will notice how dark a space is, which could make it feel uninviting or cold. By increasing the wattage of light bulbs and enhancing the existing light, a room becomes more open and inviting. This, in turn, prompts guests to ruminate longer. Be sure to include overhead fixtures, task-associated kitchen or reading bulbs, and wall or table options.

Remove personal touches. People want to envision living in the home, and they wish to imagine their family creating memories in the space. When your family photos are on display, it inhibits them from feeling that empty canvas to start anew.

Cut the clutter. Remove all unnecessary items. Whether it is decoration, furniture, mail, or bathroom necessities, throw it out or put it away. A large and spacious countertop is important to show all the space available for food preparation or getting ready in the bathroom. Additionally, by removing items, the room's size will be maximized.

Easier Commutes and Cheaper Housing are Increasing as Main Reasons for Moving, Census Bureau Reports

WASHINGTON 

-- Among the 36 million people 1 year and over who moved between 2012 and 2013, 5 percent said the most important reason for moving was to be closer to work or for an easier commute, while another 8 percent cited the desire for cheaper housing, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The most common reasons for moving in 2013 were "wanted new or better home/apartment," "other housing reason" and "other family reason."

The report, Reason for Moving: 2012 to 2013, presents an in-depth look at 19 reasons why people changed residences during the previous year and is the Census Bureau's first on this topic since 2001.

The Current Population Survey began asking a comparable version of this question in 1999. Today's report compares how these reasons have changed over time. In 1999, 3 percent moved to be closer to work or for an easier commute and 6 percent wanted cheaper housing while 21 percent of respondents "wanted [a] new or better home/apartment." This reason declined to 15 percent in 2013 and was not statistically different from the "other family" reason. 

"We asked people to select the reason that contributed most to their decision to move. Picking one reason can be difficult as moves are often motivated by many different, and oftentimes competing, factors," said the report's author, David Ihrke, a demographer in the Census Bureau's Journey to Work and Migration Statistics Branch. "For instance, if one's primary reason for moving is to be closer to work or having an easier commute, they may have to sacrifice other preferences. This could include forgoing cheaper housing options or settling for a different neighborhood. If they mainly want cheaper housing, they may have to deal with a longer commute."

In addition to presenting the specific reasons for moving, the report combines these reasons into four collapsed categories: housing-related (48 percent); family-related, such as a change in marital status or establishing one's own household (30 percent); job-related (19 percent); and other (2 percent).

For people who moved from one county to another, moving because of a job-related reason rose with the distance of the move: 23 percent of moves less than 50 miles and 48 percent of those 500 miles or more. Moving for housing-related reasons showed change in the opposite direction, comprising 42 percent of shorter distance moves and 18 percent of longer distance ones.

      Other highlights:

• Men were more likely than women to move for job-related reasons.
• Better-educated people were more likely to move for job-related reasons than those with lower levels of education.
• Married respondents were the least likely to move for family-related reasons.
• Moves within the same county were typically for housing-related reasons, while intercounty moves and moves from abroad were more for job-related reasons.
• Several individual reasons, such as "change of climate," "health reasons" and "natural disaster," were each cited as the main reason for moving by fewer than 1 percent of householders.

The data are analyzed by a range of demographic characteristics, including age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, educational attainment, marital status, labor force status, type of move and distance moved. These national-level data were collected by the 2013 Current Population Survey's Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

For people who are seeking to move, dwellr, a new Census Bureau app powered by American Community Survey statistics, can pull up a list of U.S. locations that matches users' preferences for such variables as city size, geographic region and job type.

Did you know: May kicks off moving season

May kicks off the busiest moving season of the year. It's a time when moving vans and rental trucks show up in driveways and parking lots all across the country. Each year, one-in-eight of us changes our address; in 2013, about 36 million Americans over the age of 1 moved. Nearly two thirds of all moves are within the same county, and slightly less than 5 percent to another state. Men and women in their 20s are more apt to move, searching for a better place to live and in response to marriage, childbirth, and changing jobs. Renters are more likely to move than homeowners, and the rate of moving is lowest for those 65 and older. Among the most common state-to-state moves are New York to Florida, and California to Texas. You can find more facts about America's people, places and economy, from the American Community Survey, at www.census.gov.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Survey Finds That Children May Be The New "Chief Purchasing Officers" Of The Family

Younger Generation Parents also Care More about Being Near Mom and Dad than Older Generations

MADISON, N.J. -- Do kids rule the roost? A new study from Coldwell Banker Real Estate finds that children may be the "Chief Purchasing Officers" of the family. The survey, which was conducted among 2,800 parents across three generations, revealed that 79 percent of Millennial parents (parents age 18-34) and 70 percent of Generation X parents (parents age 35-49) said most of their major purchasing decisions revolve around their children, including home purchases. In comparison, just over half (52 percent) of Boomer parents (parents age 50-69) said this was true when raising their family.

"We have seen a dramatic shift of parents today becoming more involved in their kids' lives," said Dr. Robi Ludwig, psychotherapist and lifestyle correspondent for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "But now, we are seeing this translate beyond play dates and homework. Parents today are viewing some of their largest decisions through the eyes of their kids, which was not as common 20 to 30 years ago. It is an interesting reflection of how parenting styles may be changing the way we think of consumerism and decision-making."

Additional Survey Data

• Parents today are more concerned with how moving will affect their kids than before: When thinking about moving homes, significantly more Millennial (67 percent) and Generation X parents (64 percent) said that they are more concerned with the immediate impact a move would have on their children's emotional well-being than whether or not it is a good long-term decision for the family. In comparison, only 54 percent of Boomer parents felt this way.

• Each generation believes they are more involved than the past: All three generations believe they are or were more involved in their children's lives than their parents were in their life (68 percent of Millennial parents, 72 percent of Generation X parents and 74 percent of Boomer parents).

• Parents today increasingly want to live near mom and dad: According to the survey, far more Millennial (62 percent) and Generation X parents (57 percent) said it was important to live near their parents or their spouse's parents than Boomer parents (43 percent) did when thinking of raising their family.

"Millennial and Generation X parents are choosing to live close to their parents for a variety of reasons," said Dr. Ludwig. "Parents with young children may want the grandparents nearby to occasionally pitch in with childcare, while others may be starting to care for their aging parents. We might want to consider redefining the way we think of the 'Sandwich Generation,' a group traditionally known for caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children. There are many people out there who are not yet established caregivers, but are still basing major life decisions on both their kids and their parents."

The emotional connection to family members has always impacted major life decisions, such as moving to a new home or city, but the Coldwell Banker survey results demonstrate the generational differences between parenting styles.

For parents from any generation with children still living at home, Dr. Robi Ludwig recommends parents consider the following when weighing whether it is time to move.

• Consider both the long- and short-term impact on your family: "With any major life decision, such as changing homes or starting a new job, it is natural to think about the immediate impact on your children. However, it is important not only to consider how this will impact your family in the short-term, but also properly weigh the long-term implications of such a decision."

• Understand that change can be a powerful, positive thing: "Some parents may feel that they are outgrowing their home but are nervous to switch neighborhoods or schools for fear of how it may impact their children. While change may feel overwhelming at first, parents may be surprised at how quickly their children can adapt to a move when they feel supported and loved by their family." 

• Make your children feel involved, but make decisions as an adult: "Parents want the best for their children, so it is not surprising that there has been a generational movement toward putting their well-being at the center of all major life decisions. However, sometimes 'mom and dad know best.' Follow your instincts, and know when it's right to say, 'Because I said so.'"

Bigger, With an Awesome Kitchen, and Close to Work, Please; New Cartus Real Estate Broker Survey Reveals Dream Home Wish List for Relocating Employees

DANBURY, Conn., -- Employees relocating to a new market for a job know very well which features and amenities they want most in their next home, and have firm ideas about its location. Their next home needs to be larger than their previous house, with an upgraded kitchen, and be located in a good school district, yet not too far from work, according to a Cartus Corporation survey taken last week.

Cartus, a leading provider of domestic and global relocation services, received responses from 267 of America's top real estate brokers who specialize in working with transferees. The brokers, all members of the Cartus Broker Network, were asked, for example, "What specifics about a home are most important to transferees?" The following ranks the top five features transferees want in their next home (percent ranking either 1 or 2 on a 5-point scale):

• A larger home than former residence – 70%
• New construction – 64%
• Single story – 37%
• Multi-story – 26%
• Smaller home than former residence – 17%

"A job transfer is a major life change for employees and their families, and finding a home that fulfills their needs is important," saidGerry Pearce, executive vice president, broker and affinity services for Cartus. "It enables the employee to transition to the new job efficiently and with little disruption to family lifestyles and routines. What we found most interesting was not only what is on their dream home wish lists, but also what isn't."

At the Heart of the Matter: An Upgraded Kitchen

For transferees, an upgraded kitchen is definitely considered the heart of their home, ranking highest on the list of desired amenities (percent ranking either 1 or 2 on a 5-point scale). However, amenities such as smart-home technology, media room/home theater, and fitness rooms didn't crack the top three most-popular items.

• Upgraded kitchen – 91%
• Master bedroom on first floor – 60%
• Finished basement – 44%
• Pool/spa – 23%
• Outdoor kitchen – 11%
• Smart-home technology (i.e., control via phone/tablet for heat, electricity, electronics, media, security, etc.) – 10%
• Media room/home theater – 7%
• Fitness room – 4%

Transferee Dream Home Location: School District and Proximity to Work Rank Highest

When it comes to dream home locations, transferees' two top choices (percent ranking either 1 or 2 on a 4-point scale) revolve around family and the job: location within a specific school district (91%) and less than a 30-minute commute to work (84%) garnered the top two spots. Rounding out the top five are: in-town location, close to shopping, dining, etc. (18%), proximity to mass transit pick up/drop off (17%), and proximity/availability of parks and recreational facilities (10%).

Real estate brokers surveyed appear to be moderately optimistic about whether their local market will benefit from greater numbers of employees being transferred: 55% believe employees being transferred into their market will increase in 2014 over last year, 42% believe their market will remain the same, and only 3% think there will be fewer transferees moving into their market.

Additionally, the majority of brokers believe that transferees will take advantage of expected low interest rates throughout 2014 and will purchase their next home (86%) versus rent (14%).

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches "Protect Your Move" Campaign to Help Consumers Spot the "Red Flags" of Moving Fraud

WASHINGTON -  The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced the launch of its new moving fraud prevention campaign to inform consumers about how to spot the "red flags" of fraudulent or dishonest movers. 

The "Protect Your Move" campaign (www.protectyourmove.gov) seeks to give the nearly 35 million Americans who move each year the information they need to protect themselves from unlawful movers. 

"Moving is an exciting, but hectic time – the last thing families should have to worry about is whether or not their personal belongings will arrive at their new house," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood .  "By showing consumers how to look out for red flags before they move, we are arming them with information they can use to protect themselves, their move and their memories."

FMCSA has produced a new public service announcement warning consumers of the "red flags" they can spot prior to a move.  By visiting www.protectyourmove.gov, consumers can view the video, and find tools and resources to help them before, during and after a move.  Resources include a moving fraud prevention checklist, a moving broker checklist and tips for a successful move.  Consumers can also search a company's complaint history and compare safety records of companies nationally. 

"Consumers need to know how to spot the bad movers and feel confident they are selecting a reliable, safe, and responsible moving company," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro . "While the majority of movers are reputable, consumers need to be aware of how to avoid those who are not." 

More than 5,800 household goods moving companies are registered with FMCSA.  In 2012, FMCSA received over 3,100 consumer complaints about household goods movers, up from 2,851 in 2011.  Among the most common complaints are shipments being held hostage; loss, damage or delay of shipments; unauthorized movers; and deceptive practices, such as overcharges. 

Nationwide, the top ten cities with the greatest number of consumer complaints in 2012 were Los Angeles, New York, Houston,Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Austin, Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego. 

Some of the most common "red flags" of fraudulent or dishonest moving companies include:

·         Not providing an in-home estimate,

·         Asking customers to sign incomplete documentation, and

·         A company failing to register with FMCSA. 

·          

Consumers can report unsafe and poor performing moving companies by calling FMCSA's nationwide complaint hotline at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888 DOT-SAFT) or by visiting www.protectyourmove.gov.

SOURCE Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

RELATED LINKS
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
http://www.protectyourmove.gov

Mayflower Study Reveals Americans' Rising Faith in Housing Market

ST. LOUIS -- With the economy stabilizing, Americans are feeling, once again, the bite of the moving bug.

Nearly half of Americans (47 percent) say they feel more comfortable purchasing a home today than at any other time in the past five years, results of a new survey by Mayflower show. And nearly a third say they are now ready to make a move.

Mayflower, America's most recognized and trusted moving company, saw evidence of the change in attitude in its own first quarter 2013 results. Compared to first quarter 2012, residential moves were up 16 percent in the historically slowest moving months – January through March.

The new data are also consistent with other national data showing continued rises in existing home prices and sales. Growth appears to be the strongest in the West, where the Mayflower data showed 54 percent of survey respondents are now comfortable purchasing a house.

The data reflect an easing of the wariness Americans have felt in recent years in the aftermath of the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008. Although the average American reports moving six times throughout their adult life, nearly half of Americans (49 percent) say they have put off moving since the bubble burst nearly five years ago. Of those surveyed who had delayed a move, 37 percent cited economic instability as the main reason while another 31 percent blamed the declining real estate market.

Among those now interested in searching for a new home within the next year, the survey showed the desire for a new or better home is the leading motive. Other important motives include a desire for a more attractive neighborhood and the desire to become a homeowner. 

Most mobile are the young, with half of Millennials (18-34 years old) more receptive to buying a home than renting and looking to move within the next year. While younger consumers would be more likely to move due to a change in employment or a growing family, half of adults over the age of 65 would consider moving in the next year because of retirement.

Despite the readiness to upgrade their living situations, Americans do acknowledge that moving is a stressful, and often dreaded, life event. Many survey respondents (44 percent) would rather go a week without Internet than move. Another 52 percent would prefer a trip to the dentist, and 15 percent even went as far as to say a root canal would be more enjoyable. Of all the stages of the moving process — planning, scheduling the move, packing, transporting the items and unpacking — 41 percent of people agree that packing is the most stressful part.

To ease the stress of a move, Mayflower offers a variety of services such as full-service moves that include packing, loading and transporting all of a customer's belongings as well as PC and network assembly and the ability to track your belongings online from doorstep-to-doorstep. People who have had the opportunity to utilize a full-service moving company during their last move almost unanimously (98 percent) say they prefer it.

"We are ready to respond to the surge of moves with services, features and technology that make moves hassle-free and uncomplicated," said Carl Walter , vice president of Mayflower Moving. "Moving is one of the most stressful and overwhelming times in a person's life. We offer customers instant on-site estimates and personalized moving websites that significantly simplify the process."

The peak moving season begins in May and will continue until September. Mayflower offers these tips to help consumers save time and money throughout their move:

Move on a weekday. Weekends are the time when most people want to move, but on weekdays, moving trucks often go unused. Book a truck on a Monday or Tuesday and use the weekend to prep for the movers' arrival.

Move in the early part or middle of the month. A lot of household moves happen at the end of the month, which means prices will be higher.

If given a choice, avoid moving in the summer, especially June and July. You can save big on your moving costs.

Book in advance. Once you know the date of your move, book your mover right away.

Do some of your own packing. You can easily pack clothes, blankets, pillows and other non-fragile items yourself. For the breakable items, considering letting professionals pack them to avoid having to replace broken items.

Consider a do-it-yourself option like a container. Portable moving and storage containers allow you to pack and load your things at your own pace. A professional will pick up your loaded container and deliver it to your new home, so you don't ever have to drive a truck.

Look for a company that offers cash back options on your real estate transaction. Mayflower's CityPointe® program allows customers to earn cash back on the price of the home they buy or sell simply by using a realtor from a carefully qualified list of agents. In some cases, the cash back can cover the cost of your move.

Bundle other services into the price of your move. Look for a carrier that can arrange for services like cleaning, PC and network assembly and disassembly, and ID theft protection. Bundling these services with the cost of your move can help you save hundreds of dollars compared to hiring separate companies for each service. 

Survey Background and Methodology
Respondents to the survey were selected from Research Now's Consumer panel to reflect a general distribution of the consumer population over 18 years of age. 1,020 respondents completed the survey without knowledge of Mayflower's sponsorship. Demographic descriptions:

• ·         Millennial represents people between the ages of 18-34.
• ·         Gen X represents people between the ages of 35-49.
• ·         Boomer represents people between the ages of 50-64.
• ·         Pre-Boomer represents people older than 65 years old.

The Research Now panel represents a wide range of consumers, including a subgroup of respondents that have moved within the last five years.

About Mayflower

Mayflower is America's most recognized and trusted moving company. Together with its sister company Mayflower Containers, Mayflower offers a full range of moving services from full-service to do-it-yourself moving and storage. With headquarters in suburban St. Louis, Mayflower maintains a network of 300 affiliated agencies. For more information about Mayflower Transit and its services, visit Mayflower.com or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MayflowerMoving.