(no subject)

[msmemory_archive]

It takes a cast of thousands, apparently, to buy a home. Recommendations sought asap for home inspectors and real estate attorneys. We have at least one suggestion for each, but looking for input. Dis-recommendations also welcome (but probably should be sent by private mail).

Oh, and movers, too, though we won't need them for another 6-8 weeks.

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

For movers, I had good luck with Isaacs. I totally adored Gentle Giant, and they may even be worth the premium price - get a quotation, in case their prices have come down.

Do not let them estimate your costs based upon a "description". If *I* had too many books and threw them off, you guys certainly would. Ask for a walk-through.

Are you going to have movers simultaneously empty your storage units?

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

We're going to have them empty one of the storage units, the one that contains pieces that will not fit in my Toyota. We might or might not have them do all the stored items, but certainly we are not moving the piano ourselves.

[pamelina.livejournal.com]

I do not reccommend Gentle Giants. I used them, bought moving insurance from them, and then they dropped my TV on the floor, breaking it, of course, and the man who dropped it even apologized and told me they'd take care of it. But they wouldn't even pay replacement cost for the TV they broke. They gave me only a pittance based on the 'depreciated value' of a used TV.

[rickthefightguy.livejournal.com]

I recommend Angie's List - I think it is angieslist.com, even. Especially if you will also need to do any work on the new place.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Yes, Angie's List is very useful. Yearly subscription of about $50, searchable database.

I think I've learned a great deal about various jobs and questions to ask from reading other people's reviews, as well as just provider recommendations.

Do you need to paint or change carpets in the new place? Have them done before moving in.

(both times) we went with the real-estate recommended inspection and lawyers. No major issues.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I want to get the carpet in the master bedroom steamed - it's a light color. I think about painting the dining room - it's currently peach - but the paint is in good shape; it just doesn't match my fancy china.
The other painting that I want to do is outdoor, and will probably have to wait til spring (the wood frames of the screened porch).

[keshwyn]

We were absolutely delighted with the help we got from Koffman & Dreyer.

Joan A. Koffman, Nancy R. Dreyer
Koffman & Dreyer
85 Cabot Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02458

I will be sending you email on who NOT to use for home inspections. :}

[kimberlycreates.livejournal.com]

The biggest thing we learned from our move: Never choose a cut-rate mover just to save a few bucks (unless they come *highly* recommended from someone you know). The only thing we regret about moving to Wisconsin is that we didn't hire a well-known mover. We saved about a grand on the move, but we also had about a thousand dollars worth of computers stolen, and the company has since gone out of business. Next time we have to hire a mover, it's going to be a well-known company with a solid reputation.

[elizabear.livejournal.com]

Middlesex movers were great. A-Z sucked.

I have an Angie's List sub if you want lookup help.

Also, we can recommend the atty we used (also a Susan recommendation :)

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

Re-reading other people's recommendations - if you are ever going to refinish floors, do them before moving in. The process throws a lot of fine sawdust, and it's bad enough cleaning that out of an empty house, let alone dealing with it in your books, clothing and electronics.

Also, while wandering Arlington Town Day, I was reminded of a local to town mover that everyone seems to rave about "Careful Carriers" 781 641 0376 http://carefulcarriers.com I have no personal experience with them, but they seem well regarded.

(I think there is a Framingham town mailing list that you may want to subscribe to, and ask for local recommendations for all your various needs.)

[laurion]

Congratulations!

movers

[n2mlq.livejournal.com]

Since we're in the middle of doing exactly this, we're very happy with Olympia Moving and Storage. They came on time, worked their asses off and charged what they said they would.

Since it was in state they charged by time, not weight, and we won on that. We did actually hire packers and *IT WAS WORTH THE $1000* they charged. Honest, it was worth it. We should have about 200 once used boxes in about three weeks.

As far as legal beagels go, there are two I would recommend. I highly recommend Christen Whitman ( no relation to the ex NJ Gov), she was great but expensive at $400/hr. The other is Miriam Abrams who basically only does real-estate and does flat rate closings. She did the sale in Milton for us last month.

Contact info if you want it.

Re: movers

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

We'll see whether we want packers or not. I'm already working on packing books and old garb. (Do they label boxes? Or do you just guess what's inside when the boxes arrive at destination?) I'd be glad to get contact info for Olympia Moving, thanks!

[fairdice.livejournal.com]

We were quite happy with real-estate lawyer Daniel Ladd. http://www.laddlaw.com/

When we (re, rere, and rere)refinanced, we used the lawyer recommended by our mortgage company, and I felt glad that we hadn't just used him the first time.

[bubbette.livejournal.com]

I've used Gentle Giant the last few times, and had no problem with them. (They didn't drop *my* TV...sorry, Pamelina.)

Somehow they manage to get these young, strapping guys fresh off the boat from Cork or Galway with strong Irish accents. If I was into guys...