Hi Kristal,

WOW, what a great photo!

Your advice is excellent for all, whether relocation clients or not.  Really great stuff.

Especially if the agent assisting with the relocation is knowledgeable of all these items and readily provides this information to his/her clients! :)

A good professional Realtor can help minimize the stress of relocating.

This has nothing to do with your post - well in ways it does - my sister and I were seperated when she was 15 - she turned 40 last September and about a year prior she found me - thank goodness for the internet - and simply said I miss you let's go on a cruise for my 40th birthday - WE DID and had a great time - it was like we were kids again. 

In October - I had the opportunity to attend a CRS class in Denver - my sister lives in Colorado Springs - so we had another oportunity to catch up - seems funny after 25 years we have seen eachother 3 times... but while I was visiting her... she took me to The Garden of the Gods.... and last night while I was emptying the flash card to take my camera to a wedding this weekend - I came across the photos - I sat there in the same awe that I did when we walked and drove through.

My area offers a lot of beauty - but those rocks stole my heart - thanks for touching my heart again tonight...

KK: You photos, always spectacular, sometimes overshadow the point of your post. It did with me this morning. Not surprisingly though, since it is unlikely that I will relocate. I've had the good fortune, due of course, to exquisite planning, to visit Garden of the Gods, now 30+ years ago. Your photo brought back a rush of memories from that visit--thanks.

Jay 

Good relocation agents realize that the move is about lifestyle and personalities as well as about houses and commute times. There's never one answer or one neighborhood for all - and buyers are lucky when they find an agent who will expose them to lots of possibilities.

We think of Denver as a big, busy city - a photo such as yours reminds us that there is open space, tranquility and awe as well. 

"lets talk about real estate"  Wow!  What a concept.

Love the juxtaposition of colors....I guess snow can be good for at least one reason!  Back to the wants and needs. I was taught to use a list. Or ask the buyer to use one. Make a list of ten things you want or think you need. Then go back over the list and decide what is a must have and what is a want. You probably know the drill. On your list, the urban, suburban or even specific neighborhood can be confusing and it's up to us help them paint that picture. Sometimes my first day with them is a drive around the City and the suburbs. Something tells me you are good at de stressing clients.

Love that photo--looks like someplace I would savor after a particularly difficult day.  Thanks for your thoughtful post.  It's a good reminder that we are the purveyors of information in the transaction.

RELOCATING HOME BUYERS are my very favorite clients.  In fact, it's the reason I went on the Internet.  One thing I learned early on is that, when a relocating buyer is coming to town, you CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE and stick with them for the duration of their house hunting trip.  YOU become their anchor in the new and strange surroundings. 

Good relocation agents work with only a few buyers at a time, have a ready list of temporary apartments, have a roomy vehicle and don't mind a LOT of driving. 

I have made some wonderful friends with relocating home buyers.  One family that I originally sold their original home back in the late 1980s has purchased three homes from me.  In fact, now that I think about it, relocating buyers have been very loyal repeat buyers.

Very timely post Kristal because this is the time of the year when the military and government and large companies are relocating a LOT of employees.  They plan the moves to get their employees in place before the vacation months and school starts. 

No doubt the relocation companies will get the lion's share, but the buyers who make their own decisions and contact me will get very good service.

Kristal - I missed you! (Was at a wedding...) That is a beautiful shot of my garden, you took, there!! Ok, not "my" garden... I love the powerful simplicity of what you wrote. Those 10 key things to consider - well, you hit that nail on the head. Relocation should be an adventure, not a stress.

kk, that is an awesome photo of a very inspiring place!

Another informative post, Kristal, with (as expected) a beautiful photo. I love working with relo folks, and having made 4 major moves myself for a variety of reason, your list captures the essence of that sort of journey. As Lenn points out, you need to clear your schedule and dedicated your time and efforts in a concentrated fashion. But the efforts are well rewarded when they find the right home and head back to their old home with an accepted offer.

Jeff

Very easy read and informative as well!  Love the picture and you usually have great pictures of your area.  I do like to read your posts and have learned a lot from your sharing.  Thanks

Gosh I wish I was this calm.  Living in Colorado makes one more serene, methinks.  Thanks for the easy-to-read and informative post.

Lynda ~ Thanks I love this photo too.  Unfortunately it is a "throw away."  I took it during a landscape photography class and it didn't get a good grade because I cut off the rocks.  I was focusing on the path.  oh well...next!

Kaushik ~ So correct.  We have to give a lot  in this business to get business. 

Randy ~ Stress is easy to come by today, nobody needs to go looking to add more. That's why we can help.

Thesa ~ I love your story.  Yes, meeting up in the Garden of the Gods is memorable, only you had a more momentus occasion.  Funny, I was there for a photography class.  On more than on occasion I had to be REMINDED I should be setting up a shot.  :)  I was in a trance at times.  Thanks for opening up an important part of your life to us.

Jay ~ You were there when the road ran right through this area.  As an former resident, I remember this very well.  We used to drive between the rocks, trying not to run into the cars stopping in front of us that were "ewing and ahing."  Now they make you park and walk in.  It's a much better arrangement.  Glad to bring you pleasant memories.  You should come back here to refresh them some time!

Sharon ~ You are so right about never being one size fits all answer.  We compile many facts and desires to come up with a variety of solutions.  The buyers always make the final decision.  I enjoy being part of the process and helping them find the right answer for them.  (disclaimer: this photo is NOT in downtown Denver)  :)

Teresa ~ I'm trying!

Carole ~ Lists are very good. Ben Franklin taught us how to use them!

Diane ~ You certainly could savor a difficult day AFTER you climbed up a high rocky ridge to get the same perch as I did!  (bring your own oxygen!)  :)

Lenn ~ your comments are very relevant.  Clearing one's schedule so we can spend as much time together is imperative.  I also try to remember to caution against making social plans during this time.  Either we  need the extra time to search or the relos are way too tired to be social.

Mariana ~ I have some photos for you!  They are considered "throw aways" in the professional world, but for real estate, you will love them!  Sorry we didn't hook up.  I was overwhelmed with the task at hand. 

Leanne ~ Thanks I do love this place.  I used to live next door.

Jeff ~ Photos do help get attention. Colorado is chock full of awesome sites.  Relocation is a difficult process for a family, but people do it successfully all the time.  4 major moves makes you a pro with empathy backed with personal experience.  You bring a lot to the table!

Cynthia ~ Thank you, I appreciate your kind words.  You have added much to AR yourself!

Karen ~ Serenity is an illustion here.  :)  To get the photo (see my comment to Diane) awoke at 5 a.m. after a resless night of precious little sleep.  I carried 30 pounds of gear at well over 7000 feet, setting up on the edge of a cliff, all the while trying to bear in mind, "do NOT back up!"  It was a long way down...  I'm so glad the illustion worked!  :)

Fabulous picture, as always, thanks for sharing. Nice to see  you back in the saddle.

I really like working with relocation clients.  Wth the various technology tools available this has made the job much easier, since information can be shared immediately with a trailing spouse.  Now I can send virtual tours of the area, schools etc.  By doing this the trailing spouse is not left out of any aspect of the relocation this helps to alleviate some of the stress.

Thanks for sharing the photo.

Your photo is magnificent.  Have I ever told you that before I met you I NEVER carried my camera with me?  Now, I NEVER leave home without it.

Pictures? Whoo Hoo! Like Linda said... I never carried my camera w/ me and now I always do - because of you.

Laurie ~ Thank you.

Linda ~ Well I am glad I've had a postive effect on you!  I look at my camera as part of my valuable selling tools.  Never leave home without it!

Mariana ~ Yup, I can't really pass off the Garden of the Gods as Denver, so you might as well have a few fairly decent shots.  :)

kk

Hi Kristal - I've missed you, although I know you're around.  I think we have very similar "relocation factors" to consider here in Miami - I had just written a list for a future blog and all your questions were on the list:

• Urban vs. suburban
• Old vs. new 
• Commute time
• Importance of schools

Love the photo - as always!

KK

KK,

That photo makes me want to move to Denver!  Know any good Realtors?  ;)

Truth be told, I'd put my relocation in your hands.  You always come across like a calm in the storm.  You thoughts are articulate and organized.  That resonates within your post. 

Kristal,   What a great picture.  Still on my (working) vacation but just wanted to poke my head in and say hi.  Fabulous golfing weather here in Palm Springs!  Was in a two day tourney on Monday and Tuesday, but no prizes to show for my efforts.  :-(

As everyone said that is an amazing picture. What impressed me about is how small the people at the bottom look! That makes it even more magnificent.

You might consider entering this in the CARNIVAL: The Economics of Real Estate Group

Kristal, I know this has nothing to do with your post, but llet me say this for about the 100th times on one of you posts... you need to put your photos in a collection of some kind. You've got a great eye.

Kristal, The photo's beautiful and good enough to give me vertigo.  I hate heights.  They scare me to death.  Does it really look that high from where you took the photo?  Is there something to hang on to in case of falling?  Gorgeous, gorgeous country, but is it worth the risk of falling . . . ?