Relocation-Things You Should Know If Buying Or Selling!

According to the United States Census, 7,070,345 people relocated in the US (from one state to another) in 2012. In fact, a recent Gallup Poll collected data from across the world and identified that the United States population has one of the highest percentages of movers (21%+) as compared to the rest of the world's population.







Relocation can take place for a variety of reasons whether it be for a job, retirement, or even a short-distance move for better schools. Moving is considered to be one of life's greatest racket and when you factor relocation into the equation you can racket this level of stress up a few more notches. The two main initial you'll be facing are financial stress, will involve the risk and expense of buying a new home and selling your existing home, coupled with the enormous personal strain as you pack up your family and belongings, only to move them to a new location where you hope they will be happy.

Relocation companies traditionally specialize in helping manage the logistics of your move - such as making sure your belongings arrive when you do. But the one thing that is key in making your move a success is your happiness in your new location, and yet, finding the right neighborhood or town is often left to chance, word of mouth, or a quick drive-by with an agent. Before you put your home up for sale and move your family, it is vitally important to make sure the neighborhood you choose is right for you. When selecting a Realtor, it's imperative that they have relative experience and are deeply rooted in the area(s) that you're moving to. Some things that you can look for are:  

Just a few of the skills an experienced relocation specialist can provide include:

• Accurate city-to-city comparisons for cost of living and housing,
• Recommendations for local handymen, contractors, etc.
• In depth and detailed knowledge of the communities that they serve, and what new residents should know about their new area.
• Wide and deep connections with local organizations to help relocating homeowners join the community which they may choose to reside.
• Assistance in a spouse's/partner's job search. This may be done by the 3rd party company such as CARTUS or SIRVA representing the transferee or if not a company move, perhaps the Realtor® could provide local resources for job searches.
• Perform a "Needs Assessment" to determine your requirements in the new area in terms of housing and location criteria.  This should be done during the initial discussion prior to any visit.
• Introduce you to a mortgage services affiliate so you'll know your buying power in the new area. In fact, they should provide choices so you can make an educated decision.  If it is a corporate move, the relocation company typically has required lenders.
• Educate you about how the real estate closing process works in the area. They vary greatly from state to state and sometimes difficult to learn yourself.
• Provide a variety of choices of  homes that meet your criteria in terms of your specific needs.  Remember. you may see many houses that you will see in a short period of time and your Realtor® can provide you with comparative pricing information for the homes that may interest you. 

How Do I find the Right Agent from abroad?
Do a little research - check out the Internet and identify a list of agents who work in the area.  Look for agents with a lot of experience, particularly in the vicinity and price range where you intend to buy. These agents will be familiar with what’s on the market and the history of the market in the area, and they can help you differentiate between good and bad options. If it is a corporate move, the 3rd party company will contact their top relocation partners and ask the director to find a suitable match for their clients.
Coldwell Banker Hearthside's  Relocation division and Realtors service over 70% of the transferees to and from the Bucks County, PA area. I have been a member of their relocation team since 2005. Our job is to make certain that the buyers and sellers whom we represent get top notch service and our goal is to make their move as seamless as possible.

Agents often have brief profiles on their websites so you can learn more about them, and you can also check out their listings to get an idea of the types of properties that they list and sell. Profiles can also be reviewed on the Relocation Division's client website link, on sites like Trulia, colleagues or the company website. Perhaps you can ask friends or colleagues who they may have used and to help them buy or sell a home and request that particular agent.

Review the agent's qualifications.  A real estate agent has a license from the state allowing them to practice. Realtors® are members of the National Association of Realtors, a professional organization for real estate professionals that maintains high membership standards and promotes excellent in the industry.

Don't be fooled by the number of closings an agent may have.  Their track record, recommendations and personal referrals are key. The most important thing is the commitment to you as a client, which is something you can only assess through personal contact. Begin contacting agents and inquire about their working hours to see if they’ll be able to work with your and time line to determine if they’ll have time to really focus on your needs. It is critical that they are full time Realtors! Find out more about how long they havebeen in the business, and have a list of questions ready to ask. What are their specialties, certifications and designations?  For example, if an agent has an ABR designation, they belong to an organization called REBAC and have additional buyer training and resources. If they are relocation specialists, make sure that they are certified to work with your company.  Much paperwork is involved as well as procedures and your relocation specialist must be knowledgeable of all of the procedures with your sell or purchase.

Your instinct contact with an agent will give you a good feel for your interpersonal dynamic - do you feel at ease or do you feel rushed and pressured? Go with your gut instinct!

Please feel free to contact me or visit my website if you are looking to move to or from the greater Philadelphia area whether you are relocating with your job or just moving.  There is a difference!

Frank Dolski   MBA, ABR, e-PRO
Associate Broker
Certified Relocation Specialist
Previews Luxury Home Specialist
Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors
Ranked #1 In The State of PA in 2012 For Affiliated Coldwell Banker International Realtors
2012 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite Award
2010-2011 Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award
215-803-3237 (mobile)
215-794-1070 x-103
f.dolski@cbhearthside.com
www.FrankDolski.Com