I work in an area with businesses and federal agencies who constantly move people in and out.  People are relocated from all areas of the country, meaning that they come from different markets.  Some come from markets where the median home price is much higher than ours, so they are delighted with what they find.  Others come from markets where the median home price is lower, so it is difficult for some of them to find housing that is satisfactory to them within their price range.

Relocation buyers, please don't try to impose your market on ours.  It just doesn't work.  Listen to your agent, and follow his/her guidance. 

Here is what you will get if you contact me* in advance--either through your company or independently:

• We will discuss your housing needs in terms of location, size of house, price range, etc.
• We will discuss the need for you to get your financing arranged in advance, and I can assist with    finding a local lender if necessary. 
• Once pre-approved, you will receive a private web page on my web site on which I will place properties matching your search criteria as they come on market.  You may make notes as well as mark your favorites, possibilities, and rejections to assist us in narrowing your search for your house-hunting trip to the area.  From my control panel, I can access your notes.  You can also search independently, and save your results to your web page.
• You will receive E-mail notifications when a new property matching your search criteria comes on market.
• My web site contains links to newspaper, television stations, schools, and area attractions to help you become acclimated to the area before you arrive.
• Once you advise me of your house-hunting trip dates, I will arrange my schedule to be available for viewing homes as well as showing you some of the area.
• Once you find your new home, I will find comparable properties and provide statistics for low, average, median, and high prices for the area in which your home is located assisting us to arrive at a reasonable and defendable offer price.  I will also show you the current tax records.  It is important for you to objectively analyze these statistics and craft your offer within these parameters, rather than from what the same type of house would sell for in your current market or what you have decided it is worth.
• I will assist you with all paper work for the offer and any counter offer negotiations.
• Once we have an accepted contract, I will provide names of home inspectors.  Those with whom I deal most frequently will make every effort to schedule the inspection while you are still in town, so that you can attend the summary.
• I will assist you in getting the contract to your lender and in adhering to the contract dates regarding final loan application, inspection, inspection responses, final loan approval, and closing date.  I will prepare extensions to these dates as needed to keep the contract valid and to prevent you from going into default.
• I will work with your lender and you to select a closing agent.
• I will review the settlement statement with you for accuracy.
• I will do a final walk-through inspection of the property the day before or the day of closing to ensure that you are getting everything you expect BEFORE you sign the final documents, while there is still time to correct repair deficiencies or missing fixtures.
• I will attend closing with you.

*Most relocation specialists and trained buyer's agents follow the above steps or an acceptable derivative thereof. 

Listen to your agent's advice, follow these steps, and you will have a successful and satisfying relocation experience.  Don't listen, and you just might wind up relocating with no place to live.  Don't blame the agent!   YOU DID IT!  You didn't listen to your agent.