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The Puzzle of Relocation

By
Real Estate Agent with Novella Real Estate

Denver Skyline at night

Denver real estate & relocation

The warm velvety feeling of spring is in the air. The best part of all, my telephone is ringing. It's ringing off the hook.  Well actually not really, as it doesn't have a hook, it's a cell phone...but I don't know better analogy, you get the picture, right?

Conversations about relocation are a common part of my day.  Strangers find a part of my long tail on the Internet, pick up the phone to chat.

Some folks know they are coming for sure, they have jobs to start, homes to sell or have sold and they are on their way.  They call me to talk about the Denver metro area, real estate, neighborhoods and all the other things that make life fun living in Colorado.

These are great calls, the heart of my business.  Most of the time I can help solve people's problems on the spot.  Other times its a slower process, but eventually we find an answer or a solution that meets the customer's needs.

I also talk to people who are just in the beginning stages of a relocation.  They want to move to Denver but really don't know for sure. These calls are fun too.

Sometimes I ask so many questions, I feel like a detective.  The reality is, I need to know certain information if I am going to be able to help in the decision making process.  The more I know, the more effective I can be.

Occasionally I have to bust a bubble of a dream.  Sometimes people think they are going to come to Denver and it will be just like home.  Denver will have a big swift river to row crew boats in, lots of trees and a swimming pool in every yard. hahaha

No, we don't do a lot of water.  Yes, we do have water, but it's for drinking.  We put a few boats in the reservoirs, but even then you won't go far.  As for trees?  Why would you want a tree, all it does is block your view!

In  Colorado we like to look up at the mountains and the sky.  We do mountains and sky better than most other places. Obscuring them certainly would have no benefit!

Swimming pools we have, but we keep them at the community center.  Having a pool in your yard is a major drawback when you go to sell your home.  Why? Because our swimming season is short and the nights get chilly.  Pools don't have a good return on investment.  I know this sounds odd to people who live where you have to have a pool or die, but those rules don't apply here in Colorado.

We have our own rules. When you move here, you might want to check with me (or you can call another Realtor) we can bring you up to speed on the ins and outs of living in Colorado. Each state in the Union has it's own laws, never, ever assume things are the same as where you came from. Maybe it is, but most likely it will be just enough different to confuse you.  We don't mean to be different, we just are.

My phone callers confide in me the type of home they are looking to buy. They want to know "how far is it to DIA, work or school." I get to answer questions like these frequently, I take pride in knowing as much as I can, if I don't know something, I usually know someone who does, so I will get the answer.

As a Relocation Realtor, I get to work with people from all over the globe.  The diversity of my job is very appealing.  Everyday I get to work on a new project with new requirements.  It can be challenging sometimes, but it's never dull. Helping people put the pieces of their move together, or not is what I do.

So folks keep those telephone calls coming, keep it ringing off the .... oh well you know what I mean.

Kristal Kraft, Denver Metro Realtor (telephone operator) is standing by...800-319-7738

<Photo Credits Picture of Denver Skyline is a purchased stock photo from PhotoSearch.com manipulated on PSE5.0 by me>

Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Kristal,

Great relo tips! Questions are crucial to making sure that people understand what your area is really like. It's amazing how people have such huge misconceptions about what an area is really like.  I love that photo!

Mar 18, 2007 02:33 AM
Ava Anderson
A-Z Atlanta Realty - Snellville, GA
Selling Atlanta from A-Z!
Great post Kristal.  I did something similar but  for Atlanta.
Mar 18, 2007 03:03 AM
Gary Schmitz
US Real Estate Agents - Antioch, CA
US Real Estate Agents
Great post Kristal, nice picture and relocating tips.
Mar 18, 2007 03:26 AM
Virginia Halter
RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC
ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES
What a great post.  it is so nice to see how much you enjoy your job.  Should I know of anyone coming to Colorado, your my woman!
Mar 18, 2007 03:43 AM
Kaye Thomas
Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA
e-PRO, Manhattan Beach CA
That picture is terrific... for those relocating to Southern CA our discussions are mainly about price.. they just freak out at our prices.. and I don't blame them.. There is nothing in our area under $600,000 for a small condo.. let alone a house with a pool..
Mar 18, 2007 04:07 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty
kk - except for the altitude the activity in Denver sounds like what we are experiencing here in Phoenix.
Mar 18, 2007 04:16 AM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes
Loved your picture of the city and the post. Central Kentucky is becoming quite a destination. Many of my clients lately have been form out West. I spend a lot of time with my relocation people too. They become my best friends!
Mar 18, 2007 04:56 AM
Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

I get a lot of relocation inquiries here in East Tennessee as well.

Some are great and have or will soon, turn into buyers.

Some, like a lot of calls from Florida residents, seem to be pretty clueless about East Tennessee and property values here. A typical clueless call or email will go something like this: "Hi, I want to move to your area. we're looking for at least 2,000 square feet, have to have 4 bedrooms, would prefer new construction, a little bit of land; nothing big, just 2 or 3 acres, great school district, we like all brick, and we can't go over $125,000, and oh, by the way; how's the job market in your area?"

But keep those calls and emails coming, part of my job is to sort through them and pick out the real buyers from the dreamers and hopers. 

Mar 18, 2007 05:04 AM
David Edwards
Edwards Real Estate Group, Inc. - Newcastle, WA
How do you handle sticker shock? Last week, I had an Arizona relocation candidate looking for homes in Newcastle, WA between $80,000 and $100,000. Newcastle is a suburb city of Seattle and the average price of a home is closer to $600,000. I tried to give him some insight into our market and never heard from him again. 
Mar 18, 2007 05:41 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

KK - Excellent article on relocation. It really gives the reader a sense of who you are and how you work. No wonder you are getting the calls you are from folks wanting to move there. We don't have so many people relocating to Southern California at the moment, in large part, I suspect, due to the prices. And as Kaye points out, a major concern ARE the prices before anything else. I have a number of out of state buyers who are looking at buying a second home or investment property - I really enjoy assisting these buyers with the questions and in their home buying search.

Thanks for sharing - a pleasure to read. Love the photo and your creativity!

Jeff

Mar 18, 2007 05:43 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
Is that puzzle really Denver? I get a lot of calls too this time of year. It takes a special agent when working with relo clients and knowledge of the metro area. I figured several years ago I needed to do that as you did also. Its so much more exciting that the normal agent in my office. This is all because of the internet. I was an Army brat and we moved a lot so just have a feel. The variety of people is very exciting. Great post.
Mar 18, 2007 07:13 AM
Vicky Poe
Good Ole Rocky Top - Crossville, TN
Realtor/ Auctioneer
I am glad your phone is ringing.  I get depressed when I hear from other Real Estate agents that their dead and working at Wendy's.
Mar 18, 2007 07:58 AM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Herb ~ Glad you liked it, that pleases me!

Laurie ~ Thanks for the gold star(s) and yes, the pic is great isn't it?   :)

Chris ~ Writing a book is what I think I have done. One thing I discovered to be helpful is to have a library of "stock answers" to cut and paste into a personal email.  If you find yourself answering the same old questions all the time, it might be worth your effort to do it this way.  I also have a Q & A section on my website I refer people back to.  It's hard to judge who is a real prospect or  not.  I just try to address everyone, figure give out enough good into the universe some will come back at me.  It usually works.

Carole ~ Please stay in Washington.  The last thing I need is more competition from a GOOD REALTOR like you!  :)

Joan ~ I'm so happy to be of help to you.  It takes time to learn the ropes, but once you've got it, you've got it!  BTW, your email and my email don't like each other.  Don't know why that is. 

Cyndee & Jack ~ I do believe I've been to Clearwater, I believe I have a T-shirt to prove it!  You are right about the eworld extended our business.  I love it and all the benefits it brings!

Lynda ~ Glad to see you back on my blog!

Randy ~ Hawaii wouldn't be Hawaii without the trees and the tasty fruit.  Hummm, I can almost remember the taste of real papaya!

Miriam ~ See my answer to Chris above.  Yes, it takes time to answer people, but if you give them what they need sometimes it (the business) comes back to you.  Really!!

Maggie ~ Thanks for bringing that up.  I added the photo credits to the blog to answer your question.  I bought the rights to this photo awhile back, I do love it so.  ONe Day I will take one for myself!  (I hope!)

Jennifer ~ You can appreciate the blog because you do it.  Not everyone has this experience, some say they do...but don't.

Danny ~ Real estate is local, so many people, even agents sometimes forget that.

Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Isn't it nice when we actually have sunshine to sell!

Lenn ~ We live parellel lives that is for sure!

Diane ~ Oh what fun!  I find the first day out is "reality check."  Everyone comes down from the high and starts to get real.  Day two is always better!

Linda ~ Sorry, we are all out of room for Real Estate Licensees moving into Denver!  I have enough competition from good REALTORS, please don't come...unless you promise to retire!

Sharon ~ You are lucky to have a built-in Concierge, what a plus in this business!

Cynthia ~ Such nice words you write!  Thank you!

Elaine ~ LOL here they want log cabins on a stream within walking distance of downtown Denver.  ;) Oh yes, priced under $200k!

Ann ~ Thanks I love the picture too.  Yes, ringing phones are a good thing!

Dena ~ Pueblo doesn't look like Denver? LOL, oh yes, I remember now.  Actually I love Pueblo, the bike trail along the river is very nice.  It's a great family town.

Lisa & Robert ~ It's good detective work, not bad that's for sure!

Moni ~ Oh Misconceptions abound.  I think mostly people are expecting things to be exactly like where they came from or drasticly better.

Ava ~ I visited your Atlanta blog, nice work!

US Real Estate Agents ~ Thanks, glad you like it.

Virginia ~ Oh that's so good to hear!  I'll keep my operator standing by to take your call.

Kaye ~ I too would freak out at your prices.  I don't know how people buy a home in your area!  Then on the other hand your prices spur my business! So I guess I should say Thank you to you!  :)

Tony ~ We have altitude you have damn hot!  :) I'm referring to the weather not necessarily the market! 

Lizette ~ Kentucky is a beautiful green state.  I can see why people would like to go live there.

Jim ~ LOL I think we all get those.  It isn't always a low price range either.  I recently worked with a brain surgeon from Chicago who wanted to move here and get a home 2 x's the size of his current home with an elevator (since they are so much nicer to use than stairs)  He wanted, no expected to get this in Denver for $2.2 m.  Yes, that was less than his Chicago place.  Actually it was possible he was just 75 years too late!  :)

David ~ Insight for sure.  I hate having to deliver news like that. It's hard to find a delicate to say, "you want what?" That's why we have REALTOR.com so people can become familiar with a marketplace without making a fool of themselves.

Jeff ~ We are in the business of accommodating change.  Change is good for us, so let's help people accomplish what they  need to do. Thanks, I love my picture too!

Eric ~ We too live parellel lives!  The internet is wonderful!  Yes the photo is Denver, or at least a pretty part of it!

Vicky ~ Yes, it is depressing but then we need a natural thinning of the herd.  Sad but true.

Mar 18, 2007 08:46 AM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA
Kristal, I don't have anything of value to add to this string of comments, but I'm compelled to comment. Well done and great photo illustration. Loved this!
Mar 18, 2007 10:36 AM
Irene Potter
ZipRealty Residential Brokerage - Maple Valley, WA
Creating moving experiences in real estate

Kristal: After the string of comments, I considered if I had anything to add and I do. When someone moves to my area around Seattle and Tacoma, they frequently have a wish list. Based on that and where they come from, I have a pretty good idea of their budget, tolerance for commuting, etc. They may ask for a specific area but if I know one that better suits their needs, I'll gently suggest another area. Some people have truly interesting requests so I try to take all the random puzzle pieces, put them together and come out with a solution, which is fun and rewarding.

By the way, I keep hoping you'll sign up for Project Blogger as a mentor. Any chance of that happening? You have so much to offer!

Mar 18, 2007 11:49 AM
Rick Beal
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Portland, ME
In Maine, we are famous for our rocky coast on the Atlantic Ocean.  Occasionally I get an inquiry about finding an oceanfront home for under 200,000, it's going to be 4 or 5 times that, but they're fun to chat with.
Mar 18, 2007 02:03 PM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Jeff ~  Always appreciate your appreciation! Knowing I can catch your eye with my graphics makes me smile!

 Irene ~ Wow Irene, I love your phrase "tolerance for commuting".  I hope you don't mind if I "borrow it" I never quite know how to ask that question as delicately!  As per the Project Blogger, how nice of you to ask.  (just left the room to read up on you.) Irene, you are an awesome blogger with good content to share.  You can blog with the best of them! Keep pitchin' yourself girl!  ;)

 Rick ~ POP! There went my dream!  I was hoping to sent you $200k for one of those beachfront properties in Maine!  :)

Mar 18, 2007 02:11 PM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!
I have never done a reloKristal, but I have heard that they can be very demanding, so like you said, you definitely have to play detective.  
Mar 18, 2007 03:46 PM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
I always love your posts. The puzzle picture is great. Did you make it or find it?
Mar 19, 2007 12:29 AM
Irene Potter
ZipRealty Residential Brokerage - Maple Valley, WA
Creating moving experiences in real estate

Can't resist a good unintentional funny when I see one: reloKristal--is this like some virtual Denver drug or something? Do you deal on the side :-) ??

Seriously, feel free to borrow my "tolerance for commuting" question anytime you want and thanks for the positive feedback!  Around here, it's a very, very important question. With all the lovely water features, we have to keep in mind that to get from point a to b, sometimes we have to drive around them to get to where we want to go. I can't remember where we rank nationally for traffic congestion but we are sadly in the top 5.

Mar 19, 2007 10:12 AM