LET'S TALK ABOUT RELOCATION
My husband was active duty for 23 years in the Navy as a SEAL. We moved 20+ times in 23 years! It can be an exciting new adventure, but planning and feeling confident that you are in the right hands with good information will make your move a happy one!
Let me give you some in-sight as to how things work in the Relocation world and how they could affect you and your transition.
The Bank or Credit Union Rebate Referral
Their offer to you is that if you use their "preferred agent/company" you receive a rebate at the closing table. The truth is the agent is giving them a large sum as a referral fee for the "lead" and they give you a portion of that fee. In addition, the company the agent works for takes additional adjustments to the commission structure in many cases. In the end you have an agent who may be working for 1/3 of his/her normal paycheck. This could affect you because one, top agents don't always take these referrals, and two, if there is another buyer taking that agents time and they are at 100% pay with the other buyer, you could go on the back burner.
The Relocation Company Referral
Let's say your company is sending you to another state and they are paying your relocation costs. They will set you up with an agent in the new area. In most cases you can still look for your own agent, and if they are willing to "participate"you can ask the relocation company to "assign" the agent of your choice. The agent still has to pay the relocation company a fee, but you can control the professionalism, availability and personal attention of the agent helping you relocate.
Never settle for an agent that you discover is not serving you well when you are relocating. It could affect everything in your move such as home price, neighborhood, schools, re-sale value, contract problems and more. Ask for a re-assignment, or better yet, find an agent that suits your pace and ask if they are a part of the relocation system.
You can almost always hire your own Real Estate agent without jeopardizing your relocation benefits! There are advantages to doing this because you can insure the agent on the other end is well trained, mature and knowledgeable by speaking with them personally. Our company has programs for most relocation situations, and you end up with the same or more with out compromising good service or experience. You can still use your bank or credit union! For more information, please feel free to call or E-mail with any questions 757-897-6375 WewRealtor@Gmail.com
HELPFUL LINK:
HAP Program for Military sellers who are upside-down
on the mortgage and have to move: http://hap.usace.army.mil/Take a look at neighborhoods and homes from Google Maps
http://maps.google.com/
In Virginia, you may look up your Realtor through DPOR to find out their Longevity in the business, courses taken, and good standing (no complaints) http://www.dpor.state.va.us/regulantlookup/selection_input.cfm
Check out the neighborhood for Sex Offenders at
http://www.familywatchdog.us
Information about buying Short Sales and Foreclosures:
http://realtor.org
