Experts provide advice on how keep calm during relo experience
Relocation is considered to be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Even for the most seasoned relocating individual or family, the process can seem overwhelming, especially given the short timeframe in which most moves are generally expected to take place.
Realtors who regularly assist relocation buyers and sellers are keenly aware of the many elements involved, and try to alleviate some of the worry for their clients.
According to Suzanne Skinner, a Realtor with Greenwood King Properties, this is best accomplished by providing immediate contact so she can begin building a relationship with her relocation clients as soon as possible.
“Most of my relocation buyers have never been to Houston,” Skinner said. “So, that initial conversation helps me understand where they are coming from, what their desires are, and what their lifestyle is like. Understanding their lifestyle and the community they live in now helps me to relate to them and find a community that meets some of those needs here in Houston.”
Likewise, when working with relocation sellers, Skinner said the most important aspects tend to be the timeframe, and knowing the requirements of the relocation management company that is overseeing the move. Thus, she said that she creates a different marketing strategy when listing a property for a relocation seller. “We’re not just going to list it and hold an open house every Sunday. We have to really focus in on social media, and getting that house to the consumers as quickly as possible, because the seller might only have 60 to 90 days to get it sold. We also want to ensure that we are pricing it where we are going to get a very strong offer, and can move quickly,” Skinner said.
She added that since relocation clients have a lot on their plates, she really tries to provide them with as much assistance and support as possible so there is less for them to worry about or have to take care of on their own.
“Relocation buyers might not come back to Houston until the time of closing, so I have been there for appraisals and inspections. I have also attended BY MICHELLE SANDLIN walkthroughs and used video chat so that they can see the repairs that we requested during the negotiation process. I have set up conference calls with different companies when additional estimates were needed. And, I have even been there to meet the moving company when my clients aren’t able to be there. So, it’s comforting for them to know that I will be there throughout the process,” Skinner said.
Jamie McMartin, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United, Realtors, said that when working with relocation buyers, providing them with a lot of information before they arrive gives them a better understanding about the Houston market.
“It is best to give them as much information as possible before they get here, because they might only be here for a weekend or a couple of days,” McMartin said. “They typically have a huge list of homes that they want to see, and they are going to buy from that list. So, the more information that I can give them before they get here, the better and easier it is to calm their nerves, and help them make a better decision on their home and the location.”
Since many summertime relocation buyers tend to bring their children with them, McMartin said it also helps to add a little bit of fun into the home-finding trip.
“A hotel with a pool is good for destressing when the kids have had enough. It’s also important to include a lot of breaks in the day, because kids can only last for a certain amount of time, especially in the heat. So, when we have kids with us, we stop for snow cones or ice cream, just to give them a mini break and keep their interest,” McMartin said.
Like Skinner, when McMartin works with relocation clients, she said she wants to take as much of the burden off their plates as possible.
This is especially helpful when working with relocation sellers, because McMartin said she wants her clients to be able to focus on the place they are moving to instead of the selling of their home in Houston.
“Once they get their home listed, I don’t want them to focus on me. I’d rather for them to focus on finding their new home, wherever it is that they are moving to. So, I tell them, ʻI’ve got you, don’t worryʼ,” McMartin said.
Michelle Sandlin is an award-winning writer, journalist and global mobility industry expert. Her work is frequently featured in Worldwide ERC’s Mobility magazine, and in various business and industry related publications and corporate blogs. Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMichelleSandlin and on Twitter: @MichelleSandlin. Also visit “On the Move” at blog.chron.com/onthemove.