Janis Peterson, GRI, ABR, CSP Realtor®
The Philadelphia Main Line Real Estate and Homes
Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties
Relocation Specialist

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Telephone: (610) 642-3744 Pure Gold Award Real Estate Web Page Philadelphia mainline real estate homes for sale e-certified Philadelphia real estate agents realtors homes for sale
Fax: (610) 658-0267
E-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com
Home page: www.pahomes.com
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 Philadelphia Real Estate Information Relocation Questionnaire
MLS Listings of Philadelphia real estate and the Philadelphia Main Line homes for sale
For Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Main Line Regional, Main Line, and Relocation Information,
Please Visit www.pahomes.com


Subject: "You've Been Transferred..."

The very words "you've been transferred" can strike fear into even the most self-assured. Most transferees must contend with the unexpected challenge of selling an existing home while finding a new home in an unknown community-and having to do it pronto. What can you do when faced with a transfer? To shake off the relocation jitters and achieve a smooth move, you need to consider a few strategic steps:

Take advantage of company relocation benefits. Employers often offer relocation counseling and services, and some may even carry many or all of the expenses associated with a move. Relocation counselors can help anticipate aspects of the move and effectively manage the process. They can also aid you in decision-making and help you approach the move with a positive attitude. To get you from Point A to Point B, firms generally provide straight reimbursement for documented expenses or designate a fixed relocation allowance.

Identify real estate professionals in a quality company. While you may prefer to work with a certain real estate professional to sell your existing home, how do you choose a real estate agent in a distant community to help you with the purchase of your new home? As you talk with potential sales associates, make sure they specialize in the types of homes and areas that you are interested in. It's also important to consider the reputation of the company where the real estate professional works. Since you may need to select someone sight unseen, make sure he or she is backed by a reputable and professional organization. To help you evaluate the company, ask if they have a web site and research their company on the Internet.

Familiarize yourself with the real estate market in your target area. One way to do this is to scan the real estate section of back issues of the newspapers circulated in your target area. Most major newspapers are available at local libraries, and major research libraries maintain archives of even wider selections of newspapers. You can further familiarize yourself with the market by reviewing listings online. Some major real estate networks also post listings online as well, for example, Prudential Real Estate Network members list properties at www.prudential.com.

Evaluate your new community. Start by developing a list of criteria to evaluate communities and neighborhoods. Consider including such factors as commuting; school systems; parks; libraries and community facilities; property tax rates and other taxes; crime rates; cost of living; current and historical property values; age and character of neighborhoods; recreation; outdoor activities and arts; community organizations such as churches, charities and sports clubs; shopping; health care; and other amenities, services and costs. Check your local library for "Places Rated Almanac" or
research your new community on the Internet.

Keep in mind that neighborhoods within the same community can vary greatly. Never choose a home without some firsthand knowledge of the neighborhood. Pick up a local map and plot where the prospective community is in relation to major highways, train tracks and other potentially noisy areas. Ask yourself what sort of neighborhood you'd like to live in. Do you envision it being filled with young families or mostly adults? Would you like a newly constructed development with all the amenities or an older, established neighborhood with towering trees? Are the things that are important to you conveniently located nearby?

Determine your price range. Working with your real estate professional or relocation specialist, estimate the price range to which you will confine your search. Many advisors recommend that your debt ratio be no greater than 36% of your gross monthly income. In other words, when combined, a car loan, tuition loan, credit card debt, property taxes, insurance, mortgage and other debts should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. The best way to determine your price range is to obtain pre-approval from a home mortgage lender. As an added benefit, buyers may take you more seriously with this written commitment from a lender.

Develop a home evaluation checklist. Include rankings for the facts you consider most important-price, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, condition of the home, curb appeal and features. Keep track of the amenities each home offers. These may include laundry facilities, appliances, fireplaces, decorator features, landscaping, etc. Assign a point value to each criterion and rank the home accordingly.

Communicate with your real estate professional. Because an agent may represent the seller, the buyer or both, find out where you stand. Then, verify that your real estate professional knows exactly what you need and want. Take photographs of your current home or clip pictures from magazines to illustrate the kinds of features you'd like in a new home. Good communication can result in a faster home sale, more quickly identifying a new home and a quicker, easier relocation. When negotiations begin, let your real estate professional know that you want to hear the good news along with the bad. If you don't understand what's going on, don't hesitate to ask questions.

Prepare for the big day. A relocation specialist should be able to provide you with a moving planner or checklist that counts down to moving day. If not, create one yourself. You will need to secure estimates and determine what to move and what to dispose of well ahead of the move. The strategy is to plan every step-from inventorying your possessions, to making needed repairs, scheduling packing days, obtaining packing materials, making travel arrangements, transferring school records . . .even defrosting the freezer.

Most important of all, approach your relocation with a positive attitude. Moving can be painful or joyous, depending on whom you consult, how well you plan, and how openly you approach the task. Through a process of sound decision-making, you can banish the relocation jitters and ensure a smooth start to a new life.

"Real Service in Real Estate." For a personal consultation on buying or selling real estate, Janis Peterson, GRI, ABR, CSP Realtor® can be reached at (610) 642-3744, e-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com. Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors® is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

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