Sellers Guide

Pricing your home right for the current real estate market is critical, but just the beginning of what a listing agent can do for you. This guide is written specifically for sellers in the Groveland, Big Oak Flat and Pine Mountain Lake areas. We cover the basics of getting ready to sell, how to avoid costly mistakes, hiring handymen, inspections, and an extensive guide to home staging.

At the top of most Groveland buyers lists are two things. First is enjoying the beautiful outdoors. We are lucky here to have a sunny climate, fresh air, and low humidity. You need to emphasize the outdoor connection in a way that makes a great first impression and entices the buyer into the house. Then you must appeal to all their senses so they really do “fall in love” with your house. Second on the list is a relaxed, informal, low-maintenance lifestyle. Even in this time of plummeting prices and foreclosure bargain hunting, buyers will still pay top dollar for a house that is “ready to move in” and needs no maintenance. You must impress on them that your house fits that category in the first 15 seconds after they get out of the car. Here’s how to do it.

Buyers here are actually turned off by a too-manicured yard. They are trying to escape lawn competitions, sidewalk hedging, and paying for a gardener. Try to make your forest yard look like it “takes care of itself”, even if you spent days raking, trimming, and burning. Add fresh cedar bark mulch to keep weeds down and present a more uniform appearance. Remove dead trees, ratty garbage cans, old hoses, overflowing debris in the gutters, and moss from the roof.

Refresh your exterior paint. Don’t repaint your house the same original color from 1985. Update it with something on-trend. Pick a rich and muted new color that blends well with our background of bright foliage greens and sky blues without competing with them. Colors that usually elicit negative response are: dark brown, barn red, mauve, or too-bright blue or green. If you can’t afford to paint your whole house, then do the front door and the trim. At the very least, use a pressure washer to clean off the grime and spider webs. Local tip: clean off the propane tank and paint it to match your home.

Most buyers want to avoid a “suburban” look: fences, buildings close together, rows of garages facing the street. Some homes are designed with the garage front and center, so that the private decks and views face the rear. If all you have in front is a big garage door, either paint it to match the house so it doesn’t stick out, or replace it with an upscale “carriage” door that is popular now. This is an expensive upgrade, but if the garage door is the main “first impression”, make it count. On your asphalt driveway put a fresh coat of black sealant, or, if it is gravel, put a fresh load of gravel to fill potholes and bare spots. On concrete, remove oil stains.

Get a very nice address number sign that includes the Unit and Lot number, but not your name. Don’t just go to the local hardware store and get what everybody else gets- go online and order some classy numbers. Get a classy new doormat while you are it. No coir that sheds, or rubber that cracks, or anything with a message.

It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house.

The walkway and steps to the front door should be in perfect condition. Fix cracked stairs, uneven rocks, slippery mud, or any trip hazard. If you have room on your front porch, set up a bench or an inviting pair of chairs with fresh cushions. Put out one or three potted plants. Bright plants or flowers enhance the “cared for” impression. Don’t use plastic or silk plants- they look fake and fade in the sun. The front door should make a very positive impact. Consider adding a brass kick plate, a door knocker, or a new door knob or latch. The last thing you want is for the agent to struggle with a fussy lock, then push a sticking door in with their foot, and the hinges squeal loudly. Ugh!

What other common “entryway errors” do I see?

• Old dirty porch lights, leaky downspouts, scuffed thresholds, deteriorated screen doors, nails popping up, non-functioning doorbells, bird feeders, wind chimes, cheap plastic chairs, other clutter, dog droppings.
• Bat or bird guano littering the porch or the light fixtures. Don’t just sweep it off- get rid of the roosting bats and birds. You may need professional help.
• Woodpecker holes in siding or trim. Huge turn-off. Fix them now.
• Inside are hanging coats, keys and hats, shoes on the floor, piled newspapers or mail, family pictures, large tables or clocks “blocking” the sightline into the house, or, even worse, nothing but empty space.

House sellers often ask if it is better to list the house with all their furniture in it, or no furniture. The answer is “partly furnished”. Too much furniture feels cluttered and cramped. No furniture is cold and lifeless, and makes it hard for buyers to visualize themselves in the rooms.

Hang your most beautiful art or mirror in the entry, or where it can be seen from there. Splurge on a new, lovely light fixture for the entry.

Light and bright is what you want them to feel now. Turn on every light, or, if you’re not home, have a sign at the door asking the agent to first turn on the lights and open the curtains beforethey bring the buyers in. Remove heavy draperies, valances that cover part of the window, and wood blinds that even in their most open position cover several inches of window glass. Bare windows are better than windows with outdated, worn out or dirty window coverings. Trim back branches outside, or remove awnings to let light in. Clean the windows so they sparkle and consider removing the screens during the showing period. Take everything off the window sills. Increase the wattage of your light bulbs. Move all furniture, televisions, and large plants from in front of windows so buyers can look out at the trees, sky and deck.

To see a graphic example of this, see Before and After Staging: Photos of Five Rooms Staged in One House at No Cost.

Now they are looking out the windows and glass doors at that gorgeous outdoors. Make sure they can easily go out each door and experience every deck, patio and outdoor space. Each of these spaces should feel like a room that just happens to be outside. Decide on the function of the space- is it relaxing, sunning, eating, entertaining, or cooking? Then furnish and decorate it minimally to so they get the idea. If they can see the neighbor’s deck or driveway from the main deck, try to install a lattice or custom-made “screen” to block that image. It usually doesn’t have to be very large to direct their eye to the “good view”.

Decks should be swept and coated with new sealant or stain. Decks that need work stop more sales (or complicate escrows) than anything else in Pine Mountain Lake. New decks are very expensive, but many buyers want them. Discuss this issue thoroughly with your agent.

We’ve posted a series of “Pictures to Bring the Outdoors In” and “Decks and Patios that Look Inviting” here.

To further emphasize the “outdoor connection”, hang art or photographs of wildlife, Yosemite, Sierra landscapes, or people enjoying Pine Mountain Lake. Decorate with bowls of pine cones or fragrant cedar sprays. Our local and abundant incense cedar will last for several weeks in a sturdy vase full of water, inside or outside.

At this point, your house should be saying “Make yourself at home! No work here! Just relax and enjoy!”

If you are still resistant to staging your home, think of these “smart marketing” analogies:

• The car showroom with ultra-shiny new models on fancy floors that make you crave a test drive.
• The website home page with fast-loading graphics and mouse-grabbing headlines you just have to click on.
• Stores with entrancing front window displays of specially lighted jewelry on black backgrounds, or of stylish, accessorized clothing mannequins, or sumptuous furniture flanked by coordinating lamps and art.

So don’t assume your house will sell itself. First, make a great first impression to draw them in. Then create an atmosphere that encourages them to linger and find more things to love about your property. I’ll cover that in the April issue. Article written by Lauree Borup in 2010, all rights reserved©

1. If you hire someone to work on your home for a cost over $500, it must be in writing.
   True or False?
2. If you hire someone to work on your home and the labor and materials is more than $500 they must be a licensed contractor?
   True or False?
3. If you hire someone to work on your home for a cost over $500, and they aren’t licensed contractors or subcontractors and they aren’t members of your immediate family, then you may be an employer.
   True or False? ALL ARE TRUE

If you become an employer by hiring a handyman to do work over $500, you must register with the state and federal governments as an employer, and you are subject to several obligations including state and federal income tax withholding, federal social security taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance costs, and unemployment compensation contributions.

There may be financial risks for you if you do not carry out these obligations, and these risks are especially serious with respect to workers’ compensation insurance.

That said, there are many expert tradesmen who are employees of licensed companies but who are not licensed themselves. You may want to offer them a “side job” if you know them and their work, the scope of the job is limited, and you are willing to assume the risks associated with the job.

Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Handyman:

• Liability if the worker is injured
• Damage to your property
• The job is left unfinished
• You end up paying bills from unpaid suppliers
• The handyman may give you a low bid, but are these risks of financial and legal consequences worth it?

It may be OK to have a handyman change out a kitchen faucet or to hire the building electrician you’ve seen at your job to install a lighting fixture or two in your home.
But, we’d draw the line at having that same handyman convert the water lines from galvanized to copper or allowing the building electrician to rewire the entire house.Although the handyman and electrician might be fully capable of doing the work, the potential risk posed by lack of insurance and bonding outweigh any benefits gained by the decreased cost.

The Contractor’s State License Board urges consumers to follow these tips when dealing with a contractor:

• Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see the license
• Don’t hire the first contractor who comes along
• Be especially hesitant when approached by someone offering home improvement services door-to-door, especially when they will use material they claim is left over from another job
• Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed
• Verify the contractor’s license at (800) 321-CSLB
• Don’t pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment
• Don’t pay cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work
• Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract

Ask the contractor if the company is insured against claims covering workers’ compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents. Ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance, or ask for the name of the contractor’s insurance carrier and agency to verify that the contractor has this insurance. In California, if a contractor has employees, workers’ compensation insurance coverage is required by law.

If a worker is injured working on your property and the contractor does not have insurance, you are the one who will have to pick up the bill for an injured worker’s injuries and rehabilitation, if necessary. Don’t let your insurance policy become your contractor’s liability coverage!

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California’s contractors, and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually. The CSLB website is very consumer-friendly and informative. They will send you free pamphlets like these. Topics covered in depth are:

• OWNER BUILDER LAWS
• PREVENTING MECHANICS LIENS
• WHAT MUST BE IN A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT
• And lots more…

Here’s a scorecard for you to rate whether your house is likely to get top dollar in today’s Groveland real estate market. You, the seller, can control each of the factors below to make your house more likely to sell.

Give your property 10 points for each YES answer:

• Everything is spotlessly clean: floors, windows, window coverings, grout, baseboards, lampshades, door thresholds, door mats, faucets, toilet bases, and nothing smells, sticks or squeaks ______POINTS
• Recent inspections have been done on the roof, structural pest and septic and no repairs are needed ______POINTS
• The Seller’s and agent’s Transfer Disclosure Statements indicate NO defects ______POINTS
• Seller will provide a one-year home warranty ______POINTS
• Personal property in good condition is included- refrigerator, barbecue, washer, dryer, patio furniture, etc ______POINTS
• If the house is vacant, it is regularly aired out, kept at a comfortable temperature, and looks inviting ______POINTS
• If the house is vacant, prospective Buyers can see the property at any time without calling, or if occupied, the occupants can get the house ready to show in 10 minutes anytime ______POINTS

The highest score you can get is 70 points. YOUR SCORE = ______POINTS

NOW…. IF YOU INSIST ON AN ASKING PRICE FOR THE HOUSE THAT  IS 10% OR MORE OVER CURRENT MARKET VALUE-
THEN DELETE ALL THE ABOVE POINTS. YOU HAVE JUST LOST YOUR MARKET ADVANTAGE

Here is another type of scorecard:

Circle the minus number for each defect. Be brutally honest.

The numbers correspond to the percentage of prospective buyers that would likely be negatively influenced by this “defect”. A -20% means 20% of buyers would likely eliminate your home from consideration. A -90% means 90% of buyers would be less likely to want to buy the house.

• Pet urine smells and spots on the floor or stale tobacco odors -90%
• The neighborhood looks horribly junky and derelict -80%
• Dark inside unless you turn on lights and open curtains -80%
• Wall paper or wood paneling on most walls -60%
• Furniture is worn or outdated -60%
• The property is located on a busy road with traffic noise -50%
• The property has a steep driveway or poor back-up space -50%
• Roof is old, leaky, wood shake, curling, obviously a mess -50%
• The deck is rotting, shaky, and full of fungus -50%
• House has bad heating system or none, single pane windows, old fireplace -not energy efficient -50%
• Leaves, pine needles on driveway, decks, stairs and walkways that make people fear they will slip and fall -50%
• The closets, garage and storage areas are crammed with stuff -20%

Well, did you eliminate every possible buyer? Not really…

… IF YOU PRICE THE HOUSE UNDER THE MARKET VALUE ENOUGH TO COMPENSATE FOR ALL DEFECTS, YOU HAVE JUST GAINED MARKET ADVANTAGE! IT MAY ACTUALLY SELL QUICKLY, BECAUSE THE REMAINING PERCENTAGE OF BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR A LOW-PRICED FIXER-UPPER! PRICE IS THE KEY.

• Do I need to hire an appraiser to determine the value?
• Should we sell it with the furniture?
• Should we do any remodeling first to get a higher price?
• What do I have to disclose?
• What should I do to get my house ready to show well?
• Will we as sellers be represented fairly by a dual agent?
• If the market is slow, should we just rent it for a while?
• How much capital gains tax will I pay?
• What kind of properties qualify for deferred capital gains under a 1031 exchange?
• I just found out that California takes 3.33% of my gross sales price at closing as their “estimate” of my capital gain. Are there exemptions or alternatives to that?
• Do other real estate companies in town show your listings?
• Is your commission negotiable?
• How many months is the typical listing agreement for?
• What happens if my Realtor is out of town, or ill?
• What if we can’t find a place to move to after we are in escrow?
• What if I change my mind about selling it?
• Do I have to buy title insurance, or is there a way around it?
• Why should I list with a RE/MAX Realtor? Why you?

Your RE/MAX Realtor can explain the answers…Ask away!

Arbitration is a method of dispute resolution by which parties to a dispute: (1) select a neutral person(s) to consider the merits of the conflict, (2) present evidence to the neutral person(s) to support their positions and (3) agree to abide by the decision of the neutral person(s) rather than seek redress in a court of law.

What are some of the advantages of arbitration?

• An arbitration will almost always be resolved in a more timely fashion than a court action.
• Attorney fees are usually lower than in litigation because less time is needed to resolve the claim and the procedural and evidentiary rules in arbitration are less burdensome.
• Arbitration’s are private. Accordingly, sensitive information should not be widely disseminated because the hearing is not open to the public.
• Arbitrators, who are selected by the disputants, are usually experienced in the field of the dispute. The necessity of educating the decision-maker in the area is substantially reduced and the parties should feel comfortable that the award was made by a knowledgeable person.
• Arbitration awards are final, binding and legally enforceable.

What can be considered a disadvantage of arbitration?

• There is only a limited right of review of an arbitration award.
• If a party fails to comply with the award, then court action is needed to enforce it.
• The parties must pay for the services of the arbitrator.

Are there different types of arbitration’s?
Yes. The obligation to arbitrate may be created contractually or judicially. Contractual arbitration exists when parties enter into an agreement to arbitrate a current dispute or any dispute which may arise in the future. Judicial arbitration exists when parties without a contractual arbitration provision are required to arbitrate pursuant to court order.

Thus, there are situations in which the obligation to arbitrate is voluntarily agreed to by the parties, such as the agreement REALTORS ® make, pursuant to the N.A.R. Code of Ethics, to submit disputes with other REALTORS ® to Board/Interboard arbitration, and situations in which arbitration is imposed involuntarily upon the parties, for example, through judicial arbitration in the course of a lawsuit.

Arbitration may be binding or non-binding. In binding arbitration, the participants are required to comply with the decision of the arbitrator(s) which is final and usually not appealable. In non-binding arbitration, the decision of the arbitrator(s) is advisory only. Some arbitrations are formal proceedings which require compliance with discovery, evidentiary and procedural rules similar to a trial in a court of law, while others may be informal. Arbitrations can be decided by one or more arbitrators depending upon such factors as the arbitration agreement, the type of claim, the dollar amount of the dispute and the rules controlling the arbitration.

The arbitration clause found in the California Association of Realtors contracts is an example of contractual, binding arbitration in which evidentiary and procedural rules are relatively informal, but the parties are granted pre-hearing discovery rights.

What are some examples of these different types of arbitrations?

How do I file for arbitration?
Arbitration may be commenced by submitting the following to the arbitrator or the organization administering the arbitration:

• Signed copies of the written agreement to arbitrate;
• Identification of the parties to the dispute;
• A statement of the subject matter of the dispute and the amount of money involved;
• The remedy sought; and
• Any applicable administrative fee.

Who can administer an arbitration?
Any individual or any organizational entity may administer an arbitration. In recent years many individuals and organizations have entered the arena of providing arbitration services. One source of locating these arbitration providers is your local phone directory. A county or local bar association (association for attorneys) may be able to supply you with a list of providers.

Who can serve as an arbitrator? Is formal training required?
Any individual can serve as an arbitrator. While there are no California laws specifying minimum qualifications or training of arbitrators, certain organizations may have their own set of qualifications and should be contacted directly for that information.

If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator and one has to be appointed, the arbitrator must be a retired judge or justice, in the case of a C.A.R. deposit receipt dispute. In the case of a C.A.R. listing agreement dispute, the arbitrator may also be an attorney with at least five years of residential real estate experience.

How much does it cost to file for arbitration?
The cost of an arbitration varies depending on who is conducting the arbitration.

Do I have the right to have my case in an arbitration decided by a jury or an active judge?
No. In an arbitration, the dispute will be heard by a single arbitrator or, in some instances, a panel of three arbitrators. The arbitrator(s) will not be active judge(s). There will not be a jury.

Will a trial be held in arbitration?
No. A trial takes place in a court of law where evidence is presented to a judge or jury in accordance with specific rules and formal procedures. In arbitration, by comparison, a HEARING will be held in which evidence will be presented to the arbitrator. Neither the arbitrator nor the disputants are bound by any formal rules of court other than those previously agreed upon or ordered by the arbitrator.

What is discovery?
Discovery is the legal term describing information gathering through written questions, verbal testimony and presentation and inspection of documents and other evidence.

Do I have the right to conduct discovery in an arbitration?
Yes, if the arbitration provision allows for “discovery.” The arbitration clause in the C.A.R. contracts grants these rights to the disputants by incorporating discovery rights pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05.

Can I subpoena witnesses to appear at an arbitration or can the opposing party be required to produce relevant documents prior to or at a hearing?
Yes. These rights are granted. Subpoenas which are issued and signed by the arbitrator, but otherwise blank, are to be completed and served by the requesting party.

What if the opposing party does not comply with a discovery request?
The arbitrator has the power to order discovery and impose the same liabilities, sanctions and penalties as a court of law except an order of contempt which could result in arrest or imprisonment.

Are formal rules of evidence used in the arbitration hearing?

No. The arbitrator alone determines the admissibility, relevance and materiality of evidence offered. Conformity with the technical judicial rules of evidence is NOT required. The arbitrator must, nevertheless, comply with basic concepts of due process, treat all parties fairly and admit all relevant testimony and evidence.

Am I entitled to have an attorney present at the hearing?
Yes. California law allows any party to be represented by counsel. Additionally, you may be allowed to be represented by someone other than legal counsel if the arbitrator or administering organization allows it.

Are attorney’s fees recoverable in arbitration?
As a general rule, attorney’s fees are not recoverable unless a contract term provides for recovery of such fees. All the C.A.R. forms containing the arbitration clause provide for recovery of attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in ANY action or proceeding or arbitration. The arbitrator has the authority to include them in the award, provided the party has requested attorney’s fees at the hearing and before an award has been rendered. However, the right to attorney’s fees may be lost if a C.A.R. form had been used and the prevailing party had not first attempted to mediate a dispute.

What remedies may be awarded to a prevailing party?
The arbitrator has the authority to award any remedy requested (other than criminal sanctions) including:

• Specific performance;
• Damages;
• Punitive damages;
• Injunctions; and
• Declaratory relief.

Is the decision of the arbitrator binding on the disputants?
Yes. The decision of the arbitrator, called an AWARD, is binding on all parties to the arbitration.

What is the legal effect of this binding award?
An award has the same effect as a written contract until and unless the award has been confirmed by a court. Prior to court confirmation, the parties are obligated to follow the award just as parties to a contract are required to comply with the terms of the contract. If the award is fully satisfied by the disputants, court confirmation will not be necessary.

How may an arbitration award be confirmed?
If a party fails to honor the award, the prevailing party must file a petition to confirm the award in court. The petition must set forth:
The agreement to arbitrate;
The names of the arbitrators; and
The award itself.
All parties to the arbitration must be named in the petition.

What is the legal effect of an award which has been confirmed by a court?
Once an award is confirmed by a court, a judgment is entered. This judgment has the same force as a judgment entered by a court of law in a civil action, and can be enforced the same way. This gives the prevailing party the ability to obtain writs, impose a lien on the property of the judgment debtor attach assets of the judgment debtor and take other actions allowed a judgment creditor.

Is there a time limit in which a petition to confirm an award must be made?
Yes, four years.

May I appeal an award if I do not agree with the decision of the arbitrator?
No. An arbitration award may not be appealed on its merits; however, you may, in certain narrow circumstances, petition a court either to vacate or correct an award.

What are the grounds upon which a court will vacate an award?
Generally, an award will be vacated only if:

• There was corruption in one of the arbitrators;
• The rights of the parties were substantially prejudiced by misconduct of a neutral arbitrator;
• The arbitrator exceeded his/her power;
• The arbitrator refused to hear material evidence or allow a postponement request made with sufficient cause;
• The award was procured by fraud or corruption or other undue means;
• An arbitrator failed, to disqualify him/herself, upon receipt of a timely request, if a judge would have been required to disqualify him/herself if the matter had been heard in court.

AN ARBITRATION AWARD WILL NOT BE REVIEWED OR VACATED BASED UPON THE MERITS OF THE CASE. In other words, the court will not re-hear the arbitration.

What may a court do if it vacates an award?
The award will be nullified. Then, depending on the circumstances, the court may order a rehearing before the same or a different arbitrator, or grant other relief.

What grounds exist to correct an award?
Generally, an award may be corrected to remedy an evident miscalculation or mistake. For example, if the arbitrator awards the prevailing party $500 in damages and $500 in attorney fees but incorrectly totals the two sums to equal $900, the court would correct the award to $1,000.

Does the arbitrator have the power to correct an award?
Yes, but only for very limited period of time. The party seeking a correction from the arbitrator must request it within 10 days after the arbitration award has been signed and served.

What is the effect of an award which has been corrected?
The arbitration award, as modified by a court or the arbitrator, is binding on the parties.

Is there a time frame within which a petition to vacate or correct an award must be made?
Yes, 100 days after service of the award.

Accessorial (Additional) Services

Services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.

Additional Transportation Charge (ATC)

This regionally adjusted charge compensates the carrier for services performed in areas where the labor rates are higher than the national average. It also compensates the carrier for additional costs incurred due to traffic congestion and added time traveling to an area for pickup or for delivery.

Advanced Charges

Charges for services of others engaged by an agent or the carrier at your request. These charges are advanced to your bill of lading charges. For example; having a pool table dismantled by 3rd Party Service provider is an advanced charge.

Agent

A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company.

Appliance Service

The preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment.

Auxiliary Service (Shuttle)

If the assigned over-the-road van is unable to make a normal pickup/delivery because of physical constraints and a second, smaller, vehicle is needed, this is considered Auxiliary Service (a shuttle). Examples of such physical constraints include situations such as a road or driveway that is too narrow, a bridge unable to support the weight of the van, and the inability to park the moving van within a reasonable distance of the pickup or the delivery residence. Charges for the second, smaller, vehicle are assessed on an hourly basis, in addition to charges for the extra labor involved in making the pickup with the shuttle truck.

Bill of Lading

This is your contract with the carrier. It is your receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. Your signature acknowledges that your goods have been loaded on the moving van and released to the carrier.

Binding Estimate

A binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the estimate. Also see Non-Binding Estimate.

Booking Agent

The agent who accepts the order for your move and registers it with the van line. The booking agent may, or may not, also act as your origin or your destination agent.

Bulky Article

Items such as cars, boats, snowmobiles and campers usually carry a bulky article charge to compensate the carrier for the difficulty of loading and unloading such articles, and their unusual bulk or low weight density. In some cases, an additional weight additive is applicable.

Carrier

The company providing transportation for your household goods and on whose interstate or intrastate operating authority the shipment is moved.

Claim

Shipper’s statement of loss or damage to any of his or her household goods while they were in the care of the carrier or its agent. Such a statement is generally made on a Claim Form.

C.O.D. (Cash On Delivery)

Shipments where customer pays moving charges at the time of delivery. For C.O.D. shipments, payment is required in cash, or by traveler’s check, cashier’s check or credit card (pending a prior credit card approval process). Personal checks are not accepted for payment of C.O.D. charges.

Consignee

The person to whom the shipment is to be delivered.

Consignor

The person from whom the shipment picked up from.

CP (Carrier Packed)

Articles packed into cartons or crates by the carrier, not the shipper.

Cwt.

This abbreviation stands for the rate or charge per 100 pounds.

Declared Valuation

The shipper’s indication of the value declared for the possessions being shipped, thereby establishing the carrier’s maximum liability for loss or damage to the shipment. If no value is declared, the liability is then controlled by the tariff under which the shipment is moved.

Destination Agent

The agent designated in the destination area to be available to assist or provide information to you or the van operator regarding your shipment.

Elevator Carry

A charge to compensate the carrier for the additional labor required to move a shipment by way of an elevator.

Estimate

A professional assessment as to the van space requirements, weight of your household goods and cost of the move determined by the physical visual inspection of a shipment by a representative of the carrier. Also see Binding and Non-Binding Estimates.

Expedited Service

A program which, for an additional charge, allows a specific delivery date to be requested. If the date is not met, only standard charges apply.

Extra Stop (Extra Pickup or Delivery)

If a van operator is required to make an extra stop at either origin or destination (other than the main pickup or delivery points) an extra charge is assessed – the charge is determined by the tariff.

Flight Charge (Stair Carry)

An extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs.

Full Value Replacement Protection

A valuation program which does not incorporate depreciation as a factor in settling claims for loss or damage.

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service

An additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

High Value Article

Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound.

Inventory

The list itemizing the goods (and their condition) that you have released to the carrier.

Intrastate move

A move that does not cross state boundary, typically over 40 miles. See Interstate move or Local move.

Interstate move

A move which crosses a state boundary regardless of the amount of miles. See Intrastate Move or Local move.

Linehaul Charge

The tariff transportation charge to move your shipment from point of origin to its final point of destination.

Local move

A move within a state, typically 50 miles or less. See Intrastate move or Interstate move.

Long Carry (Distance Carry)

A charge assessed when a shipment must be moved more than 75 feet from the rear of the moving van to the entrance of the residence.

Non-Binding Estimate

A non-binding estimate is the carrier’s approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.

Operating Authority

Certification issued by a state or federal governmental entity authorizing a carrier to move household goods between designated geographical areas. A van line’s agent may also have its own separate operating authority issued by a state or federal governmental entity, to move shipments within a certain geographical area.

Order For Service

The document authorizing the carrier to transport your household goods.

Order For Service Number

The number used to identify your shipment. It appears in the upper right corner of the Bill of Lading and on the Order for Service.

Origin Agent

The agent designated in the origin area to be available for preliminary readying of the shipment before movement (such as packing cartons), or to provide information to you regarding your move.

Overflow

Articles that are left behind due to insufficient space on a van, to be loaded on a second van for transportation and delivery.

Peak Season Rates

Higher line haul charges that are applicable during the summer months.

Pickup and Delivery Charges

A separate transportation charge applicable for transporting your shipment between the SIT warehouse and your residence.

PBO (Packed By Owner)

Articles packed into cartons or crates by the shipper, not the carrier.

Re-weigh

Second weighing of shipment performed at destination at the shipper’s or the carrier’s request.

Shipper

The person (customer) whose goods are being moved.

Shuttle Service

The use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal linehaul equipment.

Short Haul

A move that takes place under 450 miles. Short hauls are (generally) performed with straight trucks, although tractor-trailers are often employed to complete large short haul moves.

Storage In Transit (S.I.T.)

Temporary storage of your household goods in the warehouse of the carrier’s agent, pending further transportation.

Straight Truck

A truck, generally one-half the size and capacity of a tractor-trailer. Straight trucks are single cab and body vehicles (as opposed to a tractor-trailer on which the cab can be separated from the trailer).

Survey

The booking or origin agent examines (i.e.: surveys, or visually inspects) the shipper’s goods to develop a cost estimate.

Tariff

The carrier’s provisions, including rates, for services performed during the course of moving a shipment.

Third Party Services

Services performed by someone other than the carrier at your request or as required by federal, state or local law.

Unpacking

The removal of your goods from containers (boxes) and crates, and the disposal of such containers and packing materials.

Valuation

Shipper’s declaration of the value declared for the possessions being shipped, thereby establishing the carrier’s maximum liability for loss or damage to the shipment. If no value is declared, the liability is then controlled by the tariff under which the shipment was moved.

Van

A term used by movers to identify all types and kinds of trucks used for moving.

Van Operator

The driver of the vehicle carrying your household goods.

Warehouse Handling

An additional charge applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.