Organizing For Your Move

1. Once you know your new address, send change-of-address forms to magazines, utilities and friends and family once you know your new address.

1. You can get pre-made forms and moving tips sheet at the Post Office

3. Make or get a floor plan of your new home

1. Mark the electrical, cable and phone outlets

                                                              i.      Arrange for utility companies to rewire if needed

2. Make a ‘Purpose Chart’ for each area/room

                                                              i.      For example: Spare BR=  guests/crafts/ games

                                                            ii.      Create zones within each room for each type of activity

                                                          iii.      List the furniture to move into that area

4. Empty the refrigerator the day before the move

1. Store what you will use during the move in a large cooler
2. Give remaining items to a neighbor or take to local soup kitchen
3. Unplug fridge and leave door open so you can clean it out the next day

If I can provide more information about the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360
or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods (including other areas)

Are you a first time home buyer. Check out FIRST TIME BUYER CENTRAL.

Here's the next summary post in my Relocation is NOT for Dummies Series, where I focus on house hunting.

Finding a new home is tough, and even tougher when doing a search from a distance, and when you don't know the area. You need to find a good REALTOR, and utilize the resources available to you to learn more about communities, housing costs, and more. And a house hunting trip is likely to be part of your game plan - here's how to make the most of it.

Using the Internet is, of course, essential in gathering the information you need. But once you have decided on a REALTOR to help you, phone conversations are important, too. You can have a more effective dialog, get quick answers to questions, and work on the relationship with your agent, which can be tough from a distance.

You may be a big tech junkie, but don't rule out the good old fashioned telephone. It's also a good way to check out how responsive your agent is...something you need to be concerned about when making a big move where timing is critical.

If you missed Part 1 in this series on Relocation tips, you can read it here.

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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods (including other areas)

Are you a first time home buyer. Check out FIRST TIME BUYER CENTRAL.

Are you a "glass half full" or "glass half empty" kind of person? Do you know what your attitude about things is in general?

What does this have to do with your relocation to Carlsbad, or anywhere?

Are you taking the perspective that your relocation will be a great learning experience? A way to research, explore new areas, see new places, have new experiences, and challenge your ability to adapt quickly? Is it an opportunity to learn about yourself, and for family members to do the same? And for everyone to enjoy the excitement of a new beginning?

Or are you seeing it purely from the perspective of an overwhelming list of tasks to accomplish - a home to sell, stuff to pack, finding a new home, learning your way around, and so on.

There is no doubt relocation is a huge challenge - mentally, physically, and emotionally. There are endless things that need to happen in order to accomplish a move from one part of the country to another. Things will not always go the way you want or expect - that's a given - so don't be unrealistic. Murphy's Law will rear its ugly head on more than one occasion. So what?!

Your attitude about your move will become an increasingly important aspect of success in your relocation. And it can play a huge role in helping your children, if you have them, to cope with the huge changes. Instead of regretting what you are giving up, celebrate the new beginning! A new home, new people to meet, new things to do, different weather, new schools, new services, a different lifestyle, and so on. Have fun reading and researching about your new home before you get there. Get excited about all the neat things you and your family will have to experience.

Are you going to angst about all the things that you have to do, and complain about what a nuisance it all is?

Or will you see this as a series of new experiences to enjoy, to learn from, and to conquer? Isn't it just another part of living?

Your choice. Is the glass half full? Or half empty?

If you are moving (and I assume you are, or will be, or you probably wouldn't be reading this blog), be prepared for your life in boxes.

I suppose this sounds a bit strange, but it's true. A friend of mine down the street who is packing to move emailed about purchasing some of the large boxes I have for paintings from moving, and it reminded me of some of my past moves.

Moving yourself is one thing. We have all done it in college, or moving from apartment to apartment before we could afford a house. My first move using a moving company was pretty disconcerting. Not that they didn't do a great job - their efficiency  was amazing! If only we could be so efficient when we packed ourselves.

But I recall, quite clearly, really being struck at the sight of EVERYTHING in a given room going into boxes...quickly. What was a comfortable, well-lived in home filled with treasures, memories, acquisitions over the years, and just lots of stuff became, in a relatively short time, rooms filled with boxes and nothing else.  My life was in boxes. A very strange feeling.

Making a move down the street or to a nearby town is one thing (been there, done that), but moving across the country was yet another experience (now 4 times). I also remember thinking about our entire house being loaded, box by box, into a large truck (and in 2 moves, along with one of our cars) and knowing that we would not see our possessions again for about 10 days, and feeling very disconnected. While we were excited about going to our new home, the thought of our entire house in boxes in a large truck traveling the highways across the country was an odd experience. I didn't dwell on it, of course, but in retrospect I know it had an impact on me. As I'm sure it did our children.

Maybe it won't strike you in the same way. And it's only temporary. But if you have never made a big move, I guess I would be prepared to experience some of these feelings...and know that it is quite normal and to be expected. It's part of the fun of moving.

So you have decided to move. What are you afraid of? Nothing? Anything?

My bet is that although you have made a decision to move (or your company did), you have some fears about your pending move. That's perfectly normal. But it's important to consider them and determine what is real and what is not? Here are some things you may be fearful of:

• Not selling your home quickly enough or for top dollar (pricing, condition, marketing and exposure are key)
• Not finding a home you love in your new city (there is lots of inventory in most areas, so plenty to choose from)
• Not knowing where to shop, dine, where to go for medical/dental care (the Internet is probably the best soure of information you can find, and it's cheap and available 24/7)
• Not knowing anyone in my new city (you will get to know your agent right away, and pretty well, and new neighbors will welcome you...and they love sharing shopping and dining recommendations; friends, family and neighbors may already know folks there you can connect with)
• Leaving friends, neighbors and possibly family behind (yep, that's tough, but they will visit, you will visit, there is the phone, and email is cheap - trust me, this all helps)

There are probably other things that concern you, but these seem to be the biggies for most people who are moving.  Your best ammunition is information, and the Internet is one of the best sources. So start right away - the more you know the better you will feel. Look toward the move with the thrill and excitement of new discovery. And consider when you first moved to your current location - that was probably a new experience for you, too.

And if you have kids and they are old enough, get them involved in gathering information on the Web...or work on this as a family project. Tonight you can look into schools, then tomorrow shopping, then restaurants, then things to do. The more you know ahead of time, the better. I've been through it 4 times now, and believe it all helps. You can also take some time if you go on a houe hunting trip to do your exploring.

Good luck! And have fun. It's a new adventure.

Are you thinking about moving to Southern California?

Here's a marketing piece on Carlsbad (where I live) to help you learn more about the area's housing, restaurants, shppoing, beaches and more. I hope you will enjoy it. Just click on the surfboard and surf away.

And if you have some feedback, I would love to hear it.

BTW - If you are interested in other areas of  San Diego, let me know and I will share more information about them and even provide some pics.

Jeff

I'm working with several people who plan to relocate tot his area, and also have a couple of friends who just went through significant relocation. So it made me think - are YOU feeling good about the move? Perhaps not.

I wrote about the psychological and emotional impact before , and having been through it (and yes, experiencing some pretty dramatic emotional stuff while doing so) I wanted to talk more about this. Most of the time we hear about all stuff you have to do:

• sell your your current home
• find an agent in your new locale
• search for a new home
• arrange for movers
• pack and get rid of stuff you don't want or need
• move

and all the while keeping your house clean, managing the kids and your personal and work life, and so on. How can you possibly do all this and keep your sanity? Well, it's ain't easy. But often we don't talk about the emotional end of this process.

Know this - you are going to feel more anxious, maybe occasional depression, excitement, general tension, and more. You will feel overwhelmed, possibly. It can affect your sleep, your eating habits, how you feel physically. It's normal...after all you are making a MAJOR change in your life and that of your family, and it's stressful. And if the move is NOT something you are choosing (say, a job transfer) then those feelings may be more negative. Feeling angry? Resentful? It's to be expected.

Give yourself permission for these feelings. Recognize why you are feeling as you do, even if there isn't a specific incident that is causing you to feel this way (generalized anxiety they call it). Take the time to relax when you can - by yourself and/or with your partner, spouse and kids. Go to dinner. Have a fun day at the zoo. Visit the spa. Whatever you can do to find some special time to enjoy your life and forget about all you have to do. And keep your focus on what is really important in your life - friends, family and your own personal well-being.

If you have bought a home in your new city and will be moving right in after driving (or flying) across the country, you will need to do some planning for your utilities. We drove cross country and went right to our new home - the furniture was arriving the next day, but with some advance planning we were in good shape to spend the night.

1. Find out who the utility providers are in the new area (you can find this on-line or ask your agent) for gas, electric, or oil (if you have an oil-fired furnace) several weeks in advance.

2. Contact each utility company to make sure they provide service in your area (there may be two different gas providers, for example), then set up a new account in your name.

3. Schedule the service to be turned on as of the date of closing (the sellers will take care of turning off their account). That way you can avoid an interruption of service and it will be less expensive, or perhaps no charge for a new account. Even if you don't move in right away, the cost of running the utilities will probably less than having to pay for turning on new service (this can cost $25 -$50 or more if the service has been interrupted).

4. Call the telephone company in advance as well, as it can sometimes take 2 weeks for service to be set up. You will also need to change your cell phone provider service so you have a local number. You might not want this to be done until you actually arrive to keep the costs down.

5. Call the cable company (again, check on line to see who the provider is - here in Southern California where I live we now have Time Warner - it was Adelphia - but other areas have SBCGlobal) to schedule time to come by your house and set up the service. You probably cannot do this before you move in but that may depend on the provider.

6. Contact the water department to change over the billing on your water and sewer.

7. Check on trash service (your agent can get you the number) and arrange for any changes that they require. Ask about pick up days, the local dump, and how they handle recycling. The previous owners may have trash barrels they are leaving, or the recycling containers.

Here are a number of things to consider as you are planning your move (this does NOT include everything but you help you on your way). You should also talk with your REALTOR, and your moving company, if used, will also have some helpful suggestions.

Send change of address to:

• Post Office (can be done on-line)
• Charge Accounts and Credit Card Accounts
• Friends & Relatives
• Subscriptions: Notice requires several weeks for magazines.
• Cancel newspaper(s)

Is it better to rent first or buy in your new location?!

That's a tough one, and it depends on your personal situation, how you want to live, if you have a house full of pets, your financial concerns, children and schools, etc. I've done it both ways. We rented when we moved from Minneapolis back to Boston; we bought before we moved from Boston to California.

The advantage to renting first is that you can take the time to really get to know the area and decide where you want to look , plus you have time to look more carefully before you buy. Say, for example, renting for 6 months. On a house hunting trip you are limited in time and may have to buy quickly even if you are not ready. I think renting can work if you really don't have time to find and buy a home while you are relocating. It's best, I believe, if it's a conscious decision and not one that is forced on you.

In my opinion, there are some disadvantages - (1) you have to move twice in a short period of time,  (2) you may not have all your furniture and "stuff," (3) finding a rental that takes pets can be a challenge, (4) finding a short term rental can likewise be tough (although perhaps less in this slower market), (5) finding the right rental in the same town where you want to buy so your kids don't have to change schools twice in 1 year may be hard to do, (6) financially it may cost you more since you have to pay the rent plus 1-2 months security and maybe the last month's rent in advance, (7) psychologically and emotionally it can be hard to move to a rental in a new place (and the condition may not be what you are accustomed to).

I can't give you the answer, but am simply suggesting this may be something to ponder, and think about the pros and cons.

Anyone need boxes for storage?

Are you planning to move?

I have a bunch of boxes that I used when I moved (they are different sizes and are the real moving company boxes) as well as some I have recyclced from clients. If you need some, let me know. I also have the wrapping paper for packing and lots of bubble wrap. And once you are done I will come pick the used boxes up (as long as you are within 1 hour of where I live here in Carlsbad.

Here are a few thoughts on packing stuff yourself, form someone who has done it at least 12 times!

1. One thing to keep in mind - this can save you a fair amount of money with the movers, since they will charge you for packing. So do what you can yourself. But see #2!!

2. Things that YOU pack will likely NOT be covered under the liability insurance provided by the carrier. Make sure you pack WELL, and do not pack things that are better covered under the insurance.

3. Most movers will provide the appropriate boxes and wrapping paper to you in advance (they may deliver to your door). You will be charged for these just as you are for all moving supplies the movers use in their packing. Be sure to ask for all you need and more - they will take back what is not used and you will not be charged for that. Other great sources of boxes include some liquor stores, copy paper boxes from work (great for magazines and books). NOTE - one of the relocation services I provide is to provide recycled moving boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper to my clients (I have tons from my moves and from recycling boxes from my clients who have moved) for FREE. I drop them off and pick them up so if you are in my local area here in San Diego, let me know.

4. Packing stuff early is GREAT for helping to sell your home. You have to move anyway, so why not get all the clutter out of the closets, off the shelves, out from under the beds, out of the garage, etc. The more you can pack away the better your home will look. While it is not the same as staging, if you can de-personalize your home it will show better to buyers and they will be able to think about living there themselves, as opposed to getting distracted by all your personal photos.

5. Label ALL the boxes carefully and thoroughly. We make big blank labels on the computer with information such as ROOM, FLOOR, CONTENTS, etc. Then we tape a blank form on each box and fill in the information as we go. It's amazing how you can forget what is in a particular box, and inevitably you will get to your new home and HAVE to find a particular item before all the unpacking is done, but won't know where to look.

6. Put the labels on the END of the boxes so when they are stacked you can see the labels (putting the label on top defeats the purpose). MARK FRAGILE BOXES on multiple sides using a dark magic marker or similar pen. BTW the boxes you pack will be marked by the mover as PBO (packed by owner) in their inventory.

7. Be generous in use of wrapping paper and bubble wrap. Newspaper is OK but it gets ink all over everything so I advise against it, especially on your glassware and dishes.

8. Pack your paintings or other artwork in the special boxes provided by the mover or let them pack them (again, a liability issue). When packing painting in bubble wrap, it is smart to put several sheets of packing paper (NOT NEWSPAPER) directly on the painting if not under glass before wrapping in bubble wrap - this is important especially if moving in warmer months where moisture can gather under the bubble wrap, which you DON'T want to get on the oil painting itself. Check with the mover on what expensive items should be noted (e.g., they will likely want a list on the day of packing, e.g., items valued at $1500 or more, for insurance purposes).

9. Check on what items CANNOT be packed and moved (e.g., hazardous items such as paints, gasoline, certain cleaning products). also check about plants - moving to some states will prohibit bringing in agricultural products from other states (e.g., California). other states will require the movers to check gardening equipment and outdoor furniture for Gypsy moths, larvae, etc. before packing.

10. Pack a special box for each family member that you carry yourself - toiletries, TP, tissues, bandaids, shampoo, medicines, special toys for kids - and at least one for the kitchen (coffee maker perhaps, coffee and filters, can opener, bottle opener, wine opener for the celebratory bottle when you arrive, and other things you expect you will need right away). Pack pet supplies (food, dishes, leashes) in a separate box and carry with you too. Stuff you forget you can buy when you arrive if the movers are going to be late arriving.

Here are some suggestions for helping the Realtor you have chosen in your new home city effectively aid you in finding the right home, based on my personal relocation experience and from assisting multiple buyers in their moves around the country. Not only is this one of the largest purchases you will make, but you are moving to a new area you don’t know which adds to the stress. And if this is not a choice (e.g., a corporate transfer) it is probably even more difficult for you and you family. (NOTE - above is a view of downtown Del Mar, a beautiful and charming seaside town...and expensive!)

Once you have chosen the person you want to help you with the process, or the Relocation Company has identified that individual for you, you are ready to get to work.

1. Respond quickly when you get emails or calls from your Realtor. S/he is working hard to help you, and you are probably on a tight schedule. Delays in communication will hurt you, and make it more difficult for your Realtor to assist. Your responsiveness is an indication of your interest and cooperation, and can set the tone for the relationship. When you say you want help but then do not return calls and emails, this sends a negative message (and of course this works both ways) and makes it tough for the process to move along.
2. Make sure you are pre-approved right away so you know your budget. Your Realtor will ask, and you DON’T want to waste time, yours and your Realtor’s, looking at homes that are outside your budget.
3. Verify the details of your relocation package, if applicable, and make sure your Realtor knows this is part of the process, and if s/he will be expected to pay a referral fee. Lots of agents refer back and forth so they are accustomed to referral fees; some relocation companies charge high fees and this must be communicated.
4. Be a good listener. This is tough sometimes because you are feeling stressed, or perhaps frustrated. Don’t let your emotions get in your way of hearing what is being said. Be a good communicator, too – be clear, concise and decisive
5. Provide your Realtor with the information s/he is seeking in a timely manner, and in particular when things change (e.g., your budget, dates).
6. Be clear about what you want in your new home and community. This can be hard, and may change over time, but your Realtor will have a more difficult time if you don’t have a clue and can’t decide on what’s important to you. This is particularly tough when moving to an area that is very different (such as my move from Boston to California!!).
7. Have your Realtor sign you up for daily emailed listings from the MLS in your new home city so you can educate yourself about the market and house values.  You need to quickly make decisions about the kinds of housing you want and where you want to live, and understand what is going on in the market. Screen in homes that are of interest and let your Realtor know so s/he understands your likes and dislikes. Your Realtor can probably preview homes for you when you can’t be there. Arrange for a house hunting trip and do a blitz in the new city, seeing as much as you can so you can decide on your new home.
8. Obtain all the necessary contact information (emails, cell phone, office phone, home phone, pager) for your agent and provide the same to him/her. Know how to get in touch with your Realtor quickly when necessary (especially during the offer negotiations, when failing to respond can cost you the home).
9. Be flexible and change direction quickly if you need to, and inform your Realtor of any and all changes immediately. You can expect problems to arise, discrepancies, and changes in direction, dates, and timing.
10. Use technology to simplify and speed up communication – cell phone, fax, email.
11. Keep careful notes and records of all conversations, decisions, resolutions to problems, etc. Use email to confirm and clarify so you have a written record. Don’t make any assumptions – confirm and re-confirm.
12. Educate yourself on how the buying process works in the new city/state – it may be very different from what you are used to. What forms will you encounter? What is the timing? Who else is involved (e.g., escrow company, attorneys) and how do you get in touch with them when necessary? Remember, YOU have the greatest vested interest in the success of your home buying, so you need to take responsibility to keep things moving along and make timely decisions.
13. If you are not able to be in your new town readily, get your Realtor’s help when necessary (e.g., coordinating and attending inspections, letting in tradespeople for  estimates and to perform work, checking on the home before you arrive).
14. Do your due diligence. Use the Internet to help you research the new community and get answers to your questions. Ask for resources from your Realtor. These are your decisions NOT your Realtor’s.

Good luck. Please contact me here in Southern California if I can help you in any way, or someone you know who is moving. For more fun information about living in the San Diego area, check out Fans of Coastal San Diego.

Here are some suggestions on finding the right REALTOR to help you with your relocation to your NEW HOME. I'll talk about selling your current home in a later post.

Since you are leaving an area you know and moving to an area you probably don't, having a REALTOR you can trust to help you find your new home is critical. You will have lots to worry about and coordinate with your move, and working with an agent who does not understand your issues, nor care, is NOT going to be helpful.

1. I recommend working with an agent who is also a REALTOR, not someone who is not. A REALTOR is a real estate professional who is a member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and, thereby, adheres to a Code of Ethics. Not ALL agents are REALTORS,although many people use the terms interchangeably.

2. If you can, use someone who has been referred to you by someone you know and trust.  If you don't have a referral, I recommend first checking the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) database for someone in the area you are moving to. Why? Well, REALTORS with the CRS designation (only about 4% of ALL REALTORS in the US have this certification) have to take a series of advanced courses (most are 2-day) on a range of topics relevant to the real estate profession (e.g., seller and buyer strategies, technology, working with referrals, financial issues, marketing, etc.) AND they must meet fairly rigorous production requirements during a given period in order to be certified. So not only do you know they have significant education but they have experience in handling a number of transactions. Individuals with the GRI designation are also strong professionals. Do not make your decision, however, based only on the certification...nor on the name of the brokerage the REALTOR works for.

3. If you do not have a recommendation or referral (probably true in most cases), do some research on the REALTOR you are interested in to find out what you can about them - look at their website, find out what professional certifications they have, what services they can offer you, do they work in the area you are moving to (or interested in), then...

4. Phone interview the person you are interested in (NOTE: If you leave a voice mail about why you are calling and it takes a long time for the agent to return the call, i.e., the next day or worse, I'd be VERY concerned about their responsiveness - not a good sign for the future). Ask them to tell you what relocation experience they have, either personally and/or in handling buyers moving to their area. If they haven't moved some distance themselves, at least they should have had experience with relocating buyers. If not, it may be difficult for them to understand your issues and effectively work with and assist you.

5. It is important to feel a level of comfort in speaking with the person you are interviewing, and a personal chemistry, but that's not all. Do you feel that they are truly interested in helping you? How do you know? What are the specific services they provide relocating buyers? How well do they know the community (ies) you are interested in? What can they tell you about the community as well as the state of the market there - is it a buyer's or a seller's market? Do they offer a customized relocation package? Are they willing to screen properties for you, based on YOUR criteria, not just set you up on a website  (while it is important that you have access to on-line properties in the area you are moving to, YOU don't know the area and the REALTOR should help you screen properties as s/he learns more about what you want and need). Can the REALTOR provide you with resources for you to do your OWN research (e.g., schools, crime).

6. Understand their responsiveness (see note above in #4) and their ability and willingness to help you late at night, on the weekend, etc. Since you aren't local and may be in a different time zone, much of the communication will be by telephone, email and fax. Questions will arise that need quick answers, and problems will occur, so you MUST be able to get in touch with your REALTOR quickly, and they need to respond fast. Do they get emails forwarded to their cell phone? Can they provide you with all the numbers to reach them quickly if you need to (believe it or not, some agents do not give out their cell phone numbers and expect you to leave voice mail in their office - how often do they check?). What about email - just because they HAVE an address does NOT mean they use it, and I know this from personal experience. You both need to agree on the most effective means to communicate and what works best for you.

7. You will be making a house hunting trip, in all likelihood, in advance of your actual move. Find out how your REALTOR will handle that. Will they set up an effective and substantial tour of homes and neighborhoods for you to see before you arrive? Will they show you properties YOU want to see (as well as those that they feel, based on their knowledge, are important for you to see as well)? Do they provide an itinerary in advance? Do they keep you posted on any changes (e..g, the home you fell in love with on-line and planned to see now has an accepted offer)? Are they comfortable and willing to make last minute changes based on your schedule, change in the housing that is available, ruling out areas you find youdon't like, etc. so you don't waste time?

These are just a few things to consider, and I will share more in future posts about effective ways to work with your REALTOR from a distance, and services you might want as a relocating buyer that will ease the transition. For more information, visit Relocation Services on my website. And if you have any experiences to share or other suggestions, by all means please share them so that others can learn too!

Here are a few thoughts on relocation packages, if you are fortunate enough to be offered one.

1. My best advice - make sure you CLEARLY understand all the details of the relocation package the company is offering and have it in writing. If it isn't in writing then it probably isn't binding. DO NOT rely on company promises that they will cover this item, or pay you X for that.

2. If you are getting a relocation package as part of a new job and this is part of your decision making process, it is even MORE critical to understand the details of the package so you can look out for your welfare and that of your family before accepting the job offer. You may want or need  to propose other changes in the package or negotiate further, if there is room to do so. Be aware that some companies are very rigid and do not negotiate terms, but others will, especially if you are in a higher level position. Just DON'T negotiate yourself out of a job (I've seen it happen as a Human Resources professional in my past life).

3. It is likely the Human Resources Department (if your company has one) will be involved so make sure you get ALL your questions answered and that you understand the implications of each portion of the package. Talk to your manager as well.

4. Ask if your firm is using a Relocation Company to handle the transaction (e.g., processing of invoices, handling of funds including reimbursements to you, sale of your current residence, purchase of a new residence). If so, find out who the contact person will be and make sure you talk to them and understand how the relocation process will work and who to call whenever there are problems (which WILL happen). Can you reach them in an emergency, at night or over the weekend? NOTE: Sometimes companies are not fully aware of the requirements that the Relocation Company has, and you may be told one thing by your company and another by the Relocation firm. Get everything clarified and in writing, especially any changes to the terms and conditions that are agreed on.

5. Examine the following in the package, if applicable (you may have other things offered to you as well that are not mentioned here, and not all of this will be part of a relocation package).

1. Who covers moving your household goods? Any limits? Who gets to choose the moving company  and what is the process? How many competitive bids do you need? Who signs off on the contract? What insurance coverage do you get (sometimes there are limits by the relocation company and/or van line, so if you want more coverage how is this to be handled and paid for? Will the move include your car (s); what about a boat? jet skis? RV? other large equipment? Can you drive a car versus having it shipped?
2. Are house hunting trips to your new location covered and what are the restrictions? How many times? How many days? Hotel and meals? Who can go - you, you and a spouse/partner; what about children?
3. Who makes the transportation and hotel arrangements (i.e., does the company use a vendor such as Carlson or do you make your own arrangements)? What are the daily limits for hotel rates and food? Do you have to stay at a particular hotel?
4. Is there a housing allowance to assist in the transition? If so, how much and what is this based on? Consider whether you are moving to a less expensive or more expensive city than where you live currently.
5. Will the company help in any way with the sale of your current residence, and if so how? What happens if your house does not sell? Will the company buy it? How does this impact your mortgage and value?
6. Will the company assist in the purchase of a new home as you transition (financially or otherwise). Can you select your own Realtor to help you find a new home? NOTE: If you are required to use the services of a Relocation Company, rather than it being optional, make sure you understand their role in the new home purchase - restrictions, timing, who you can use, the amount of the referral fee they might demand of the Realtor in your new location.
7. Will the company cover any housing costs in your new location before you move into your new home, if necessary? Limits? Requirements? How reimbursed and when? Is temporary housing available through the company or must you find your own rental? This can be particularly important if you leave your current home to start your new job and need to live in temporary housing and your family remains behind while your house is on the market. Will you have two sets of housing costs?

6. Make sure you understand the reimbursement process, requirements, and limitations. And it is critical to understand what will happen if you should leave the company voluntarily and if this will impact the relocation reimbursement. It is not uncommon for companies to require that you sign an agreement that you will owe the company part or all of the reimbursement if you should leave the company on your own within a period of time (e.g., 6 months or a year). And what, if anything, happens if you are fired or laid off? These details should be part of the original package, but if not ASK!

7. Review the details of the package with your accountant. There can be significant tax implications for certain aspects of relocation packages and money you may receive, particularly if it counts as 1040 income. While the IRS and your state DOR may allow deductions for different components of relocation (mileage, cost of moving goods, transportation, among other things), there ARE limits and restrictions. You NEED to understand what these are so you are not surprised at tax time. That great sounding package you are getting is NOT FREE and it CAN COST YOU. Find out from your company how they handle the monies that are given to you for the relocation, e.g., does this count as part of your 1040 income?

8. Receipts and records - I can't emphasize this enough. Keep the best possible records you can, in a separate folder and notebook. Track all mileage, especially if you drive to your new location or for a house hunting trip. Your company will require receipts and you will need them for tax purposes. Keep copies of any receipts you need to pass along to your company and/or the Relocation firm. Keep copies of any and all contracts and agreements or anything else that you sign.

9. If the relocation is very complex and financially lucrative, you might want to have your attorney review it as well. It does become a contractual arrangement between you and the company and you want to understand your legal rights.

As a Realtor who works with buyers who are relocating, it is important for me to know about your relocation package so I can better assist you. This is especially important if you must use a Relocation Company and there is a referral fee required, or if the firm requires that you use a certain brokerage.

I cannot advise you on the terms and conditions of your relocation package but I can assist with the house hunting process (helping you find a home, educating you on the market, providing neighborhood and community information, giving you resources so you can do your own due diligence).

Good luck!! Don't hesistate to contact me if I can help in any way with your move to sunny San Diego.