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Relocation services help smooth the move
By Jean Newton
While some people are on the fence about whether or not to jump into the home-buying market, others have no choice. Whether it's intrastate, crosscountry or international, many people find themselves in the position of packing up their belongings to relocate due to job transfers or promotions. And those moving to the Bay Area often encounter sticker shock as they compare home prices to other parts of the country.
Indeed, the national median price for a single-family home was $151,200 compared to the state of California's at $246,350 and Santa Clara County's at $481,000. For those who wish to live in Saratoga the median price for a home in October ranked near the top at $1,150,00 with Los Gatos at $752,500 and Cupertino at $785,000.
Although company downsizing may impact relocation plans for employees at some companies, issues other than economics are becoming important factors for those anticipating a move. Employee concerns center around spouse employment, elder care, day care and finding schools for their children. In addition, professionals responsible for employee relocation are taking action to address employee's top concerns, including safety and communications, as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and its effect on the global workplace.
"People can be a bit hesitant about the process," said Sandie Remus, a Realtor who specializes in relocation, at Coldwell Banker in Los Gatos. "But I am seeing buyers coming here from back East as well as the Midwest and Northwest. Most of them are coming here for non-high-tech jobs. Many are getting ready to take the plunge next month."
Realtor John W. King of Alhouse King Realty in Palo Alto also still sees an influx of people moving into the area. Recently he worked with a client from Massachusetts who began looking for a home this summer and is now ready to make an offer. King's goal is to make the process go as smoothly as possible for his out-of-town clients.
"When families are relocating and unfamiliar with an area, it is extremely important that as an agent you become a resource for those families. We put people in touch with a variety of services, which they will need when they arrive, including referrals to doctors, attorneys, plumbers, gardeners, etc," King said. "This way, they know that when they need a service, there is someone who is already familiar with the service, and they can feel a little more comfortable with the people they are hiring."
In addition to spending the time to find the right home and making referrals to help new residents feel at home, Realtors offer support throughout the moving process, which can be very stressful, yet exciting at the same time.
For Realtor Kathy Stakey of Coldwell Banker in Saratoga, it is important to provide her clients with the kind of information they need to make an informed decision. She recently helped three families move out of the area to Modesto, Napa and the state of Washington.
"In all cases I advised them to think of what is ahead of them and not cling to what they had here. Without exception each one has contacted me and thanked me for persuading them to consider these three important factors: sales price, time and getting on with their future enjoyment of life," Stakey said.
The decision to move can be agonizing, but if a new job is at the other end, it can also be rewarding. Taking the time to find out about a new community will help relieve the anxiety of moving. While many companies provide relocation services, a real estate agent provides essential information and knowledge about the community and can help clients get acquainted.
Realtors can also provide a list of referrals to moving companies in addition to references from the corporate relocation department or from family and friends. Investigating moving companies is a good first step in the moving process and should be part of the checklist at least one month before the move. It's a good idea to call the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints and make sure the mover is licensed. Requesting references from satisfied customers and asking pertinent questions will help narrow the search. Getting an estimate will help define the kind of service offered.
Although there are pitfalls, some people consider renting a truck and tackling the move by themselves.
"We are seeing a trend where more and more people are hiring a truck and moving themselves. They might hire the labor, but if they are going a long distance, they might not want to piggyback with other people's stuff. That can sometimes happen when you use a large carrier," said Jason Fernandez, manager of Hansen's Moving in Saratoga, an independent, family-owned moving company.
From his vantage point in the moving business, Fernandez said he watched a whole cycle during the past few years from the beginning of the economic boon through the downturn of the dot-coms.
"Our business slowed way down in the summer, but recently things have been picking up, so there's light at the end of the tunnel. It's so expensive to live here and our business goes hand in hand with the housing market," Fernandez said.
Whether it's sticker shock at home prices in Silicon Valley or finding the best moving company, a Realtor can make all the difference. Realtors do more than just handle the home sales transaction, they usually also get involved in helping the relocated family find schools, services and even job leads. If a job transfer is on the horizon, check out the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors website at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org to find a Realtor who can help ease the transition to a new community
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
