Congratulations!  You've been recognized for your talents as a valuable employee and offered a promotion within your company.  You'll soon be tackling exciting new responsibilities.  One of the first challenges is that your employer wants you across country in 2-3 weeks and you have a family, kids in school, pets, a home to sell, etc.

Most employers realize that a job change which requires a move at the same time can be quite stressful.  In order to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible, many employers offer relocation packages to their employees.  These packages are designed to reduce many of the headaches associated with a sudden move as well as pay many of the expenses. 

The services they offer vary widely from employer to employer as well as the type of position you're moving up to within your company.  Typical packages are coordinated through relocation companies and include travel & temporary housing allowances, moving services and real estate services on the selling and buying end.

The wonderful thing about most relocation deals is that they pay the typical expenses associated with selling and buying your homes.  These costs include inspections, title & escrow fees, loan fees, real estate commissions, etc.  These expenses typically equal 7-8% of the selling price of a home and 2-3% of the purchase price of the new home.  This savings of $50,000+ allows most relocated employees to transfer all of their equity into their new home.

Relocation companies have relationships with real estate brokers and are going to request that you get written bids from 2 to 3 agents.  It is important to understand that you usually have the right to interview and hire any agent you think will be best for you, so long as the agent/broker agrees to the relocation company's terms.  So if you have a preferred agent, who is familiar with you and your home, make sure you interview that agent as one of the 2 or 3 agents.