You've bought a new house, congratulations! Now what's the best way to get everything from point A to point B? If you've got some loyal and willing friends and family that will help you make the move, count yourself as one of the lucky ones! If that's not an option, a moving company is the way to go. Finding a reliable company that will get the job done right isn't always easy. Here are a few tips from USA.gov, Relocation.com and ApartmentGuide.com for finding a good moving company:

• Find out some details about the company. Does it have an operating license? Does the company carry insurance, and what are the limits?
• Investigate the company's track record. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints. Ask the company for a list of references - past customers and repeat customers can be a wealth of information.
• Get more than one estimate. Shop around to compare rates, and only consider those estimates that fall withing your budget. Be sure to find out exactly what's included in the quote (packing materials like tape and extra boxes aren't always included).
• Be prepared. Here are some questions moving companies will ask you:

• What is your timeframe?
• How far will you be moving?
• Will you need moving insurance or packaging services?
• Where will the moving truck park?
• Are there stairs or elevators?

Doing some research ahead of time will help make a stressful move go a lot smoother so that you can relax and enjoy your new home!

Real estate transactions are complicated, so it's important to find an agent you feel comfortable with and can trust with one of the most important purchases of your life! Here are 3 factors to consider when choosing an agent:

1. Are they trustworthy? If you go into the relationship questioning the integrity of your agent, you'll be setting yourself up for lots of drama and regret. If your agent is a personal friend or has worked with close friends or family, trust may not be an issue for you. But if you are looking for an agent, there are a few checks you should conduct:

• Check their license.You can go to your state's licensing department and check to be sure the agent is licensed and free of any history of troublesome discipline by the state agency.
• Check their reputation. Look at agent reviews on real estate sites like Zillow and Trulia and check Yelp! reviews. Peruse the agent's website and social media accounts to get a sense of how their former clients rate them.
• Check their references. Most agents will hand you a list of past client references or list them on their website. Keep in mind that it's unlikely they will give you a reference that says something negative, but this will give you an idea of what clients liked about the agent.

2. Are they equipped? Does your agent possess the technical skills and relationships to help you find and purchase your dream home? If your agent has been in the business for a while, ask them to share some of their recent transactions with buyers in similar situations to yours. If your agent is somewhat new to the business, ask about their education, training and prior work experience. Whatever the case may be, ask your agent about the providers they use to help them get transactions closed.

3. Are they a good fit? The agent who will be the best fit for you is the one whose expertise best matches the factors you are seeking in a home.

• Knowledge of your target neighborhood(s)
• Experience with the types of properties you're targeting - condos, lakefront, etc.
• Success in similar situations to yours
• Similar communication style and response time

Looking for a buyer's agent? View our agents and read their bios here.

Making an offer on a house may seem like a daunting task - if it's your dream home, you don't want to lose it with an offer that's too low. At the same time, you don't want to pay more than the property is worth. You want to end up the lucky buyer that got the most home for your buck!

Once you've made a decision on the home you want to buy, your real estate agent will draft a purchase and sale contract in your name that he/she submits to the seller's agent. The seller will then respond in one of three ways: accept the offer, counter with a higher asking price or reject it.

There are essentially 3 ways to make an offer: below price, highest and best and full price.

Below price offers are common in a buyers market where there is more inventory than buyers, so prospective buyers can try to skim 10% off the asking price of the property. Buyers can also sweeten the deal with a large deposit, guaranteed quick closing or accepting the present state of the home.

When sellers or their agents grow restless during negotiations they will often ask for your highest and best offer. Don't go out of your way to try and figure out how to make a much higher offer work with your budget unless you are 100% sure you want the property.

If the home is absolutely the one for you and is worth the price, offer to pay the full asking price. Do you really want to lose the home of your dreams for $1000? Another buyer may show up happy to pay the full price.

Your real estate agent will guide you through making an offer and will recommend what to offer, what to ask for, etc. So do not fear, you don't need to go it alone!