How a Moving Company Can Help You Survive TRID

It’s been just over a month since the new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures rule, or TRID rules were put into effect, but what that means for those it affects is still unclear.

TRID paperwork

So what is TRID?

The TRID guidelines require residential real estate transactions to have new loan documentation, including two new forms.

Loan Estimate- Taking the place of the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and the initial disclosure required under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) This, three page, form must be provided to the buyers in a timeline similar to the previous GFE

Closing Disclosure- Taking the place of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and the final TILA forms, the closing disclosure creates some new delivery date requirements.

This document must be issued to the borrower at least 3 days prior to closing. If this does not occur, the closing will be delayed up to 7 days.

Lenders require that the information contained in the closing disclosure (fees, taxes, closing cost, insurance, etc.) be finalized no less than 7-14 days prior to closing in order to give them enough time to generate the new closing disclosure in a timely manner.

Borrowers will have three days after receipt of the Closing Disclosure to review the form and its contents. Starting upon “receipt” of the Closing Disclosure form by the borrower, and unless there is some receipt confirmation of the form, the form is “deemed received” three days after the form is mailed. As a result of this, the review period may be six business days from mailing to loan signing.

Any changes made to the Closing Disclosure after its delivery to the buyer may trigger a new 3 day waiting period or additional disclosure or review periods, which is why accuracy is very important.

Why should you care?

The new TRID regulations are meant to benefit borrowers by simplifying documents and making loan terms more clear, but as lenders and borrowers transition into the new TRID rules, delayed closings are bound to occur.

Prior to the TRID rules, it took approximately 45 days from the loan application submission to the time of closing. Post-TRID regulations impose new waiting periods where lenders must submit disclosure forms to borrowers, and inaccuracies in paperwork by the lender or borrower as well as strict re-submission timelines will lead to delays in closing.

How can you protect your move?

  • To try to avoid any unforeseen issues that could delay the closing, the National Association of Realtors is recommending completing the walk-through seven days prior to the scheduled closing.
  • Make sure the information you provide is accurate and read documents thoroughly. TRID regulations aim to protect the buyer from surprises, so use it to your advantage.
  • Hire professional moving services who can anticipate your needs and expectations. If your move date changes you’ll want to work with someone who can facilitate the need for a schedule change without issue.

Olympia Moving & Storage’s TRID Protection Program

Strict TRID timelines and delays in closings will affect the entire relocation process. Most moving companies don’t have the capacity to handle move date changes, leaving families without a mover.

Olympia Moving & Storage has the manpower and infrastructure to work with you through the transition and delays by offering:

No fees for move date changes– as long as we have available crews we have the flexibility to accommodate unexpected changes that may occur.

$150/night sealed truck storage– Your belongings are important. If you can’t move into your home right away, don’t worry. For just $150 per night per truck, Olympia will hold your belongings on a locked and sealed truck until your new home is available.

Our goal is to be a resource to our clients during their relocation, no matter what TRID throws our way.

Are you ready to get your moving estimate?

Call Olympia Moving & Storage at 800.222.4744 or request an estimate and discover all of the ways that Olympia Moving & Storage can make your relocation easier.

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Run to Boston Piano 5K Challenge

Piano 5K ChallengeThe Olympia Moving & Storage Piano 5K Challenge

Boston moving company challenges runners as part of the Run to Boston Race Series to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts

When Olympia Moving & Storage, a premier Boston moving company, heard about the Run to Boston Race Series to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Massachusetts, we wanted to try an extra challenge in the Special Olympics spirit of pushing our limits.  The Olympia Moving crew are export Boston piano movers, relocating pianos in Massachusetts daily without a scratch.  Could our team safely move a piano…while running a 5K?  It sounded crazy enough to try, so the Olympia Moving & Storage Piano 5K Challenge was born!

Team Olympia Moving & Storage collaborated with Special Olympics Massachusetts to complete the challenge.  The proof that Olympia Moving & Storage, expert Boston piano movers, can move a piano while running a 5K and keep the instrument in flawless condition is below!

Olympia Moving & Storage’s Piano 5K Challenge final time was 32:28!

Olympia Moving & Storage Challenges “Run to Boston” Runners!

Now it’s your turn to take part in the challenge!  Don’t worry, we won’t make you push a piano, but we do challenge you to beat our time during the Run to Boston 5K races!

All Run to Boston Race Series runners who beat Olympia’s piano 5K time (32:28) will be automatically entered to win a FitBit!  No raffle tickets, no pianos, just sign up for one of these three races and RUN!

All three races are holiday-themed, a lot of fun, and best of all, race proceeds fund sports training and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities!

There will be 3 FitBit winners total, one per race.  Winners will be randomly selected among runners with finish times below 32:28.  The winning runners will be contacted after the race.

The Olympia Moving & Storage Piano 5K Challenge is part of our year-round sponsorship of Special Olympics Massachusetts.  The Boston moving company donates logistics services to dozens of Special Olympics Massachusetts competitons and fundraisers annually, and fund raises for the organization.  To learn more about our work with Special Olympics Massachusetts visit https://www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Free Moving Coloring Page for Kids

Moving with kids is never an easy task. From breaking the news to settling into your new home, there are plenty of ups and downs – including a lot of idle time for your antsy little ones.

Looking for something quiet to keep your kids busy, and maybe even quiet, while you prepare for your move?

Olympia Moving & Storage has you covered with our free moving coloring page, designed to make moving with children a little easier for your family! This free coloring page is a great way to help small kids grasp the concept of moving and get excited for their new home.

Download our free moving coloring page for your kids

moving coloring page for kids

As always, Olympia Moving & Storage is here to help with all of your relocation needs.  For more tools for moving with kids, including book recommendations on the topic, check out our blog post on moving with kids.

Have other questions about moving or looking for moving tips? We’d be glad to help, just give us a call at 800.222.4744

Ready to start planning your move with kids? Click here to request a free moving estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage.

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Packing Don’ts for Moving

Packing is hard and tips are always welcomed.  Everyone has heard about the packing dos, but packing don’ts are just as important, and not following those guidelines could end up adding time and money to your move.

We’ve been moving families for over 20 years.  Olympia Moving & Storage provides full packing services, but many of our clients also pack themselves.  We see our self-pack clients make the same mistakes over and over again.  Below are the most common packing don’ts we see our clients disregard. These packing don’ts are moving time-savers and prevent moving damage, whether you’re moving yourself or working with a moving company.

packing don'tsLocal Moving Packing Don’ts:

  • Don’t pack books in medium or large boxes, you’ll over-pack and boxes could break during the move, or worse, you could pack a box too heavy to move.  Always pack books, CDs, and files in small 1.5 cu.ft. boxes.
  • Don’t forget to disassemble your lamps and lampshades and pack them in appropriate boxes, 6.1 cu.ft. boxes are best. Lamps and lampshades cannot be wrapped, they must move in a box or risk damage.
  • Don’t pack your fragile items or books into plastic totes. This does not securely protect fragiles from damage and will over pack the tote, making it too heavy to lift.  Wrap fragile items and pack them into 1.5 cu.ft. boxes, or pack fragile dishware into 5.1 cu.ft. dishpack boxes.  Those boxes have thicker walls for better protection.

Interstate Moving Packing Don’ts:

  • Packing artwork and mirrors can be scary, but it’s important to remember that bubble wrap isn’t enough to protect them. Artwork and mirrors must be packed in mirror or artwork boxes to avoid damage.
  • Vases and plant pots must be boxed and cannot be placed freely in your moving vehicle or they will get damaged and may cause other items to get damaged as well.
  • Don’t transport your items in trash bags. Your belongings aren’t garbage and while this seems like an easy packing cheat, your bags will rip in transit. Bags are also cumbersome and can’t be stacked to utilize space in a moving vehicle.
  • Floor lamps must be dismantled and packed in a tall lamp box.

General Moving Packing Don’ts:

  • Moving filing cabinets can be daunting.
    Large filing cabinets (3-5 drawers) must be emptied completely or they will be too heavy to carry.
    Small cabinets (2 drawers) can remain full but emptying them will be appreciated by your movers or helpful friends.
  • Dressers are best to be emptied at least halfway and should only contain clothing and linen
  • Fragile items, books, and jewelry cannot be transported in drawers of furniture items.  They may damage the furniture piece, make it too heavy, or run the risk of getting lost or damaged if not packed properly.
  • All containers must have tops to ensure items are not susceptible to damage or displacement. This will also ensure that all boxes and items can be stacked inside the moving vehicle.
  • All boxes should be filledas best as possible to ensure safe transport and loading. If the space is not used items are more likely to shift and get damaged during transit, and boxes could collapse while they are stacked in the moving truck.

Our general rule of thumb is that everything that fits in a box, should go in a box!

Have other packing questions?
Call us today at 800.222.4744 or click here to request a free, no obligation moving estimate and start planning your move.

If you’re still intimated by packing, no problem! Request an pricing for full or fragile packing services as part of your estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage.

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How to move specialty items

So, you’ve made the decision to move, found a new place, and are ready to book your movers; hooray!

But have you planned how to move your brand new appliances or your home theater? While you may not know anything about disconnecting a dishwasher or electronics, let alone how to move them, we have all of the bases covered.

As a full service moving company, our goal at Olympia Moving & Storage is assist with every detail of our families’ moves. This includes the details they may not have considered like how to move specialty items.

During your in-home survey, your Olympia Moving consultant will point out items that will need special packing or servicing during your move. The consultant will discuss with you the various options for safely relocating those items and how that will fit into your budget.  

When we need experts for specialty services, Olympia Moving has to make sure these service providers are at the same high standard as our moving crew.  That’s why Olympia Moving & Storage proudly partners with Movers Specialty Services (also known as MSS), a company providing specialty relocation services nationwide for over 30 years.

After you book your relocation with Olympia Moving, your move coordinator will work closely with MSS to ensure that the services you need are scheduled seamlessly alongside the rest of your moving services.

We spoke with Brian Schaeffer, Corporate Sales Executive with MSS, about how his company takes care of those specialty moving services families often don’t consider when they’re first planning their move.

MSS started in 1978 out of a one bedroom apartment with a set of Sears hand tools.  Since then, Movers Specialty Services has grown into an award winning company that works with moving companies nationwide.  Olympia Moving & Storage partners with MSS because we share the same view on the importance of delivering a quality service.

MSS assists relocating families who may not know how to move in the best way by disassembling, servicing, and reassembling complex household items, including, but not limited to:

  • Air Hockey, Pool & Foosball Tables
  • Audio / Video Components
  • Cratinghow to move special items
  • Dishwashers
  • Exercise Equipment – All Types
  • Gas Grills
  • Grandfather & Cuckoo Clocks
  • Icemakers
  • Juke Box
  • Piano & Organ Services
  • Range – Gas & Electric
  • Spa / Hot Tubs
  • Tanning Beds
  • Washer/Dryer Units
  • Waterbeds
  • Wine Storage & Insurance Services

MSS is Olympia’s go-to resource for specialty relocation services because they provide the same consistency in quality and attention to detail that our clients expect from Olympia Moving & Storage. MSS technicians are trained in industry knowledge and they take the time to develop each person’s individual skill sets so that they can safely and confidently fulfill client requests. Our families may have no idea how to move a hot tub across the country, but the MSS technicians have done it hundreds of times.

Says Brian of MSS, “Creating a seamless transition for your family is our priority, and our experts are here to determine what is necessary for your specific move so you don’t have to worry about it.”

The Olympia Moving & Storage clients aren’t the only ones pleased with services and tips on how to move from MSS.  Movers Specialty Services’ many awards include:
  • Multiple ratings among the Philadelphia 100
  • Service Provider of the Year
  • Recognized as the “Industry’s Innovator
  • Two time winner the American Moving & Storage Association’s Summit Award (selected by customers)
  • Winner of the Global Network Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award
  • One of Philadelphia’s 100 Top Workplacesfor six years in a row

Whether you’re wondering how to move a grandfather clock or install a tanning bed, Olympia Moving & Storage & MSS are here to help simplify your move!

Are you ready to start planning a move that includes servicing specialty items?  Click here to request a free, no obligation moving estimate.  Any specialty moving services included in your estimate will be serviced by MSS!

To learn more about MSS, visit mss1.com or call 800.433.1159

Olympia Moving Launches Updater Address Change Dashboard!

Olympia Moving & Storage excited to announce our partnership with Updater to bring our clients an easy address change dashboard full of time-saving tools and discounts. The Updater address change dashboard will allow our clients to accomplish the following in just a few clicks:

Updater Dashboard
Visit olympiamoving.updater.com to access your easy change address dashboard!
  • Change your address online with the post office, subscriptions, and organizations
  • Set up utilities and home services
  • Get exclusive discounts on home services and moving materials
  • Ecards to notify friends & family of your move

This service is designed to save customers hours on moving-related tasks in a way that is easy and secure.

This new benefit, which is FREE for all Olympia clients, is just another example of how Olympia utilizes technology to provide extensive resources for our clients’ moves. Olympia clients also get access to The Olympia Move Portal to manage their move, an online moving resource center, and a dedicated relocation coordinator.

Updater also recently featured Olympia Moving & Storage marketing manager, Rachael Fischer, in their blog post: How to Market Your Moving Company: Tips from Olympia Moving and Storage

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Why is a Moving Company In-Home Survey Important?

Request an estimate from the company that provides the most moving resources: Olympia Moving & Storage

Sponsor of Special Olympics World Games Athlete Amanda Church

IMG_0965Olympia Moving & Storage is proud to announce their sponsorship of Special Olympics World Games athlete Amanda Church. Special Olympics World Games, which will take place in Los Angeles beginning July 25th, will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2015. Amanda will be one of 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competing in the Games, and one of only 7 athletes representing Massachusetts. She will be representing team USA in two aquatics events: breaststroke & freestyle.

The Boston moving company’s sponsorship of $5,000 will help cover Amanda’s training and travel expenses. As part of the sponsorship, the company will be cheering Amanda on at her competitions leading up to the games, and reporting on her training progress on olympiamoving.com and Olympia’s Facebook page.

Olympia Moving & Storage has been the official logistics sponsor of Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2013. Last year, the company’s fundraising and donated logistics services for Special Olympics competitions exceeded $50,000. While planning for the company’s 2015 sponsorship, Olympia Moving inquired if there was any way they could assist with the upcoming World Games.

Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check
Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check

The Boston moving company was immediately impressed by Amanda’s accomplishments. She has won many gold medals since she began competing with Special Olympics in 1998 and was inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Amanda lives independently with the LIFE program and has held jobs as a receptionist and Special Olympics intern.

This is a dream come true for me as I’ve wanted to compete in World Games for a long time. With the help of my coaches I know I will be ready to swim for the gold this summer,” says Amanda Church. “Special Olympics Massachusetts is honored to have sponsors like Olympia Moving.”

Be sure to watch this blog for updates on Amanda’s training as she prepares for the Games!

You can learn more about Olympia Moving & Storage’s work with Special Olympics at http://www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Click here to read the official press release

Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews: Client Satisfaction 2014

Olympia Moving Client Satisfaction_resizedThe 2014 Olympia Moving and Storage reviews are in! Our clients’ feedback is the key to our constant improvement. Every day we receive comments and praise from the families we move. However, we needed a tool to consistently track our clients’ satisfaction. That’s why every client receives a client satisfaction survey. We have been carefully tracking these reviews since 2012.

Results of Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews: The 2014 Client Satisfaction Report

The Olympia Moving and Storage 2014 Client Satisfaction Report is now complete. Click here to view the summary of Olympia Moving and Storage’s 2014 Reviews.

Highlights from the 2014 report:

  • 97% of clients were satisfied with their sales representative
  • 94% of clients were satisfied with the Olympia office coordination staff
  • 97% of clients were satisfied with the local moving crew
  • 93% of clients would recommend Olympia or use us for their next move

Our client satisfaction scores eclipse the moving and storage industry standard because of the high level of training and experience of our crews and our staff’s commitment to communication and accountability. Every employee at Olympia Moving & Storage takes pride in our clients’ moving experiences and are constantly referencing these scores and striving to improve them.

About the Olympia Moving and Storage Client Satisfaction Survey

The survey is sent automatically through our move tracking system after the move, so there is no chance for our staff to dictate who receives the survey or skew the results. We also believe in transparency. That why we make our complete client satisfaction scores publicly available.

The survey questions are based on the factors that are the strongest influencers of a family’s satisfaction with their move. They are also the factors that help us evaluate our staff and determine if process changes are necessary.

Using Client Feedback to Improve Olympia Moving & Storage

We are committed to using our clients’ feedback to improve our business. Every month we distribute the summary of the survey results company-wide as well as the results for each individual. The leadership reviews the results with their team members. We also use the scores to spot potential problem areas. For example, in 2014, trends in our satisfaction survey results influenced additional hires in the customer service department and changes in our interstate communication process.

However, our clients are more than just a number. They are also given the opportunity to leave their comments on the survey. We received hundreds of Olympia Moving and Storage reviews, which we add to this page monthly to help future clients make their decision. When our clients submit their comments, they are in their coordinator’s inbox within seconds. This allows the coordinator to immediately follow up with their client to resolve loose ends or customer service issues. The comments are also shared with the team and guide the leadership in pinpointing the areas where we excel, and the areas that need improvement.

The team at Olympia Moving and Storage is looking forward to earning even better Olympia Moving and Storage reviews in 2015. You can view our client satisfaction report as it is updated throughout the year to see how we’re doing. Or click here to request a free estimate and join our thousands of happy Olympia Moving and Storage customers.

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Decluttering for your Washington DC Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Washington DC

Furniture Donation PickupIf you are trying to declutter your home prior to a Washington, DC move, consider donating your old furniture instead of selling or trashing it. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is a chance to do some good. Donating furniture is easy with our list of organizations that offer furniture donation pickup in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate furniture prior to your move, including:

  • Saving money: the less items you have to move, the more inexpensive your move will be
  • Streamline the move: some of your furniture may not fit through the doorways or stairways of your new home, get rid of those items before move day to reduce stress
  • Redecorating: a new home is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old to make way for a new home decor aesthetic
  • Simplifying: some studies show that less stuff equals greater happiness

These Washington DC area organizations make it easy with furniture donation pickup. If you live in the greater Boston area, don’t miss our list of organizations that will pickup furniture donations in Boston.

Charity-Net in support of Special Olympics Virginia

As proud supporters of Special Olympics Virginia, we recommend using Charity-Net to schedule a pickup of your gently used clothes, housewares, media, and furniture. Your items will go to Savers and Value Village Thrift Stores, and a portion of their sales will support the athletic programs and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can book your pickup online. Just enter your zip code, and you’ll be presented with a list of possible pickup dates.

A Wider Circle

This non-profit provides basic need items, education, and long-term support for those in need. They accept furniture, linens, baby items, and professional attire. All your donations will be used by someone in need within days! Fill out this form to schedule a pick up or you can drop off at their office in Silver Spring.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Your donations got to their ReStores which raise money for the organization. They are in need of furniture, housewares, appliances, building supplies, and more. Fill out this online form to schedule a weekday pickup from your curb, driveway, or garage. You can also drop items at their Alexandria or Chantilly store Monday – Saturday.

Alive! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically)

This non-profit is a collaboration of religious congregations in Alexandria, VA to provide a safety net for the needy in Alexandria. If you live in Alexandria, they will send a volunteer to pick up your furniture on Saturday mornings. Call 703-837-9300 x3 to schedule the pickup. Alive! also accepts housewares.

Support Our Veterans

This organization sells your donations and uses the funds for programs for veterans. Use their online form to schedule a pickup of your furniture, housewares, clothes, and more. Then just leave your items on your porch by 8 AM on your schedule pickup day.

Still have leftover furniture? You can also check out this furniture disposal directory from Wayfair.

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How to Pack Video Series
Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

An Epic Roundup for an Epic Allston Christmas 2014

We’ve made it through yet another Allston Christmas – the infamous Boston moving day when 79% of rentals turn over. It was a very eventful September 1st for Olympia Moving as we finished busiest month to date. Our crews were in the midst of the Boston moving chaos, moving hundreds of clients in all the most hectic neighborhoods, including Allston and Brighton.

One highlight of this Boston tradition are the funny tweets and photos posted by Boston residents. This year’s local social media didn’t disappoint. Olympia compiled dozens of the best Tweets and Instagrams here:

The Best Tweets of Allston Christmas

According to Metro Boston, action from the city helped make this year’s Boston Moving Day a little smoother. The city issued 120 violations and 21 tickets for unsafe and unsanitary units, 1100 code enforcement tickets, 120 bed bug notices, and picked up 190 tons of trash.

Mayor Walsh held a press conference on the scene about cracking down on the unsuitable conditions of many of the rentals that are the new homes of the moving residents.

The Boston Globe perfectly encapsulated the moving madness in this video.

Christmas in Allston video - Boston Globe

BostInno theorizes that Allston Christmas could soon be a moving event of the past due to rising rental prices in Boston and Harvard’s expansion into Allston. However, the heatmap they posted via realtor Bryon Wells shows that the move-in volume is still strong.

Allston Christmas Heatmap by BryonWells

Buzzfeed explained September 1st in the language it knows best: funny gifs.

Moving Day gif

Boston.com dug up some throwback photos from Allston Chrismas’s past, proving that some things never change.

Vintage Allston Christmas from Boston dot Com

The Allston Xmas webseries also premiered their first episode yesterday, and they have 11 more to come. The first episode features a hilarious sofa moving scene that anyone who’s ever moved can relate to. Catch Olympia Moving in the credits, we gave them a hand with the sound mixing.

Christmas in Allston video - Boston Globe

Allston Xmas Webseries

We hope your September 1st move was a successful one! If not, remember that the easiest way to move during Allston Christmas is with Olympia Moving & Storage!

“The movers did an absolutely terrific job. They were extremely professional and really took extreme care in everything they did. A perfect job completed during the busiest moving weekend of the year and a very hot one as well.
Thank you very much!!”
S.K. who hired Olympia to move both her son and daughter in Boston, MA 8/31 and 9/01

Also check out:
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Video of Our Crew in Action
Free Printable Moving Box Labels