Turn Relocation Jitters Into A Smooth Move

· Take advantage of company relocation benefits. Your company may offer relocation counseling and services not to mention cover many or all of your expenses. Some firms offer straight reimbursement for documented expenses while others provide a fixed relocation allowance. Relocation counselors will aid you in decision-making, make information resources and assistance available and help you approach your move with a positive attitude.

· Identify Real Estate Professionals in a quality network. While you may have an idea of which real estate professional you want to work with in selling your existing home, how do you choose a real estate professional in a distant community? Make sure the real estate professional you choose specializes in the types of homes and in the area you are considering. Since these factors may change, be sure to ask whether they would be able to refer you to a reliable professional in a nearby area if necessary. An important factor to consider in choosing a real estate professional is the reputation of the network to which they belong. Since you may not be able to meet face-to-face with a real estate professional before you choose to work with them, make sure they are backed by a solid organization.

Your choice of communities may change once you get to know your target area, for, example you may prefer one suburb over another. In this instance you may a referral to an agent who specializes in the new community of interest. Professionalism within some North American networks varies widely while others maintain consistent high standards of customer service. Working with a quality network increases your chances of being referred to a quality real estate professional. Be sure to ask whether the real estate network encourages referrals and uses technology that will expedite and simplify communications as well as aid in your search for a new home.

· Familiarize yourself with the real estate market in your target area. One way to do this is to scan back issues of the real estate section in the newspapers of your target area. Most major newspapers are available at local libraries and major research libraries have even wider selections of newspaper archives.

You can familiarize yourself with the market further by completing our Home Search Form.

· Evaluate your new community. You will want to develop a list of your own criteria in evaluating communities and neighborhoods, just as you will for evaluating specific homes. Factors to consider include: commuting; school system, parks, libraries and community facilities; property tax rates and other taxes; crime rates; cost of living; current and historical property values; age and character of neighborhoods; recreation, outdoor activities and arts; community organizations such as churches, charitable organizations and sports clubs; shopping; health care; and other amenities, services and costs. Check your local library for "Places Rated Almanac."

· Neighborhoods within the same community may vary greatly. Keep in mind that neighborhoods within the same community can vary greatly. Never choose a home blindly without some firsthand knowledge of the neighborhood. Ask yourself what you are looking for in a neighborhood. Lots of children? Peace and quiet? A fresh new feeling? A stately neighborhood with towering trees? Are shopping, daycare, schools and other services conveniently situated? Does the community have a homeowners association?

· Determine the range of home values within which you wish to confine your search. Working with your real estate professional or relocation specialist, make an estimate of the price range within which you will confine your search. Many advisers will tell you that your debt ratio needs to be 36% or less of your gross monthly income. In other words, you should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income for car loan, tuition loan, credit card debt, property taxes, insurance, mortgage and other debts. The best way to determine what you can afford is to obtain pre-approval from a home mortgage lender. With a written commitment from a lender, buyers may take you more seriously as well.

· Develop your home evaluation checklist. You should develop a checklist with rankings for the factors that are most important to you: price, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, condition of the home, curb appeal and features. Keep track of the amenities the home offers such as laundry facilities, appliances, fireplaces, decorator features, landscaping, etc. Assign a point value to each of your criteria and rank each home accordingly.

· Communicate with your real estate professionals. Make certain you know whom your real estate professional represents. A real estate professional may represent the seller, the buyer or both. Then, be sure your real estate professional understands your needs and wants. You may want to show photographs of your previous home that illustrate the kinds of features you are looking for in a new home. Good communication will save you time in selling your home, searching for a new home and completing your relocation. When negotiations begin, let your real estate professional know that you want to know the good news and the bad news. If you don’t understand what’s going on, ask questions. 

· Making the move. Picking the right moving company is a must. Interview many, and just because they might be inexpensive ask questions. Does the driver have a cell-phone where you can contact him if needed. Is arrival of furniture at a set time or am or pm. Remember, you might be in an hotel room waiting for your furniture to arrive. Develop a moving checklist with a countdown to moving day. You will need to get estimates and determine what to move and what to dispose of well ahead of your move. You should plan every step from making an inventory of your possessions, effecting needed repairs, scheduling packing days, obtaining packing materials and even defrosting the refrigerator.

Most important of all, approach your relocation with a positive attitude. Moving can be painful or joyous, depending on whom you consult, how well you plan, and how openly you approach the task. Through a process of sound decision-making, you can eliminate the jitters associated with your relocation and insure a smooth move.

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