Steiner's Complete: How-To-Move Handbook [Paperback]

Clyde Steiner (Author), Shari Steiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1997

For the 17 million Americans who move each year, this definitive guide provides complete information about relocating, including the best moving rates, important tax rules, tips about trading or subletting a house, and more. Includes a detailed evaluation chart of the top 20 U.S. locations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Among the stresses of modern living, moving is right up at the top of the list along with finding a job and looking for a place to live, and is often a part of both situations. The Steiners have assembled a complete guide to everything you could ever want to know (and a lot of things you may not have known you needed to know). Not content to simply outline the do's and don'ts of a typical move, they also rate moving companies, give useful tips on finding rentals, sublets, and trades, and even some sensible advice on long distance job hunting. They have taken a "no stone unturned" approach to moving in this fact-filled, thorough handbook, even including tips on getting settled in your new neighborhood! If you are facing or contemplating a move, this book will save you potentially thousands of dollars, and uncounted headaches and sleepless nights and aggravation. This may be the best guide ever written on the subject. --Mark Hetts

Review

"One of the best real estate books of the year! Virtually all the information you need on moving." --Robert Bruss, leading real estate book reviewer for the Chicago Tribune Media Syndicate --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: Independent Information Pubns (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913733113
• ISBN-13: 978-0913733110
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,946,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not-so-helpful moving book, December 31, 2004

By 

Ms Margaret - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steiner's Complete How-To-Move Handbook (Paperback)

After reading all the glowing reviews for this book and browsing reviews for similar publications I decided to purchase Steiner's. Oh what a mistake. Perhaps the other people who reviewed this book are friends of the authors? In all fairness, the lists and forms related to moving collected in the appendix of this book are helpful. However, the arrangement and format of information throughout the rest of this handbook seems almost haphazard. For example, the chapters on financing a move and home sales come well before a discussion of creating a move timeline or how to find housing. As another review mentions, Steiners has no index. And often important topics (like "trailing spouse syndrome") are mentioned, but never discussed in much depth (what are some practical ways of alleviating the problems associated with "trailing spouse syndrome"?) The authors claim this book addresses all types of moves: overseas, military, corporate relocation, recent college grads. But honestly, the handbook would be most helpful for seasoned adults working in the corporate sector who already own a house (note the frequency of phrases like "as everyone knows" and "obviously" in chapters on finances and home buying/selling). Rather than purchase this book, most people new to moving and finding a house would benefit more from using the "relocation wizard" at www.homefair.com and buying a book on home buying.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read but somewhat outdated unfortunately, June 28, 2001

By 

"usentspam" (Teaneck, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steiner's Complete How-To-Move Handbook (Paperback)

The book covers almost all topics of moving in a thorough way that really conveys a lot of information in a short space. I planned to move from NJ to Florida & it really prepared me for the moving process. Although I didn't make the move, I did hire movers within NJ and I felt much more prepared having read this book. I've heard horror stories of people's goods being held hostage for more money, broken items, missing items, the book covered it all and told what to do in case that happens. It gives you enough information, however, to avoid such disreputable movers in the first place.

One area where it falls short (unfortunately) is the internet. There are many, many resoucrs on the net and the book doesn't cover enough of them IMHO. This book was written in 1999 though, and can sort of be excused I guess. I think that they would be well advised to do an update in a year or two with more coverage of resources for moving on the net. That'd be worth five stars then...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real complete advice, March 28, 2005

By 

B.R. (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steiner's Complete How-To-Move Handbook (Paperback)

If you're thinking about moving, first read Clyde and hari Steiner's book, "Steiners' Complete How to Move Handbook, 2nd Edition." It will either discourage or enthuse you for the adventure ahead.

In easy-to-understand terms, the San Francisco authors explain what to expect when moving across town or across the nation. But this is not just a "how to hire a moving company" book (although the authors rate the major moving companies). The book addresses the family considerations, especially for children, as well as how to sell a home, how to obtain a mortgage on a new home and how to rent. Even information on how to break a lease is included.

The book's theme is taking control. Whether you're moving for a better location, a new job or retirement, the Steiners explain how to evaluate the situation and make the move as enjoyable as possible. If the book has a fault, it is the detailed references, which become almost too complete, but that's OK. Just skip the parts you don't need.

The authors offer sage advice for handling real estate agents, whether you are a home seller, buyer or both. For example, the authors recommend not more than a 90-day listing to sell your old home. They also caution about engaging a buyeFs agent to find your new home. In fact, they recommend renting for a few months to become acquainted with a new community.

Chapter topics include Taking Control From the Beginning; Family Issues; Fending Off Mr. Tax-man; Employment Considerations; Giving Up the Old Homestead; Your Plan-Ahead Strategy; Finding the New Homestead; Moving Company Tips and Traps; How to Arrive With Your Aunt Sally's Teapot and Your Sanity Intact; and Your Countdown Moving Timetable.

The outstanding appendix includes city and real estate agent evaluation charts, Internet sites, budgeting basics and other information resources.
--B.R.