Corporate Relocations: Relocating your family to Edmonton Part 2

I've included some more question and answers relocation related.
Question: What if my employer doesn't pay for the move, are there any savings I can receive?
Answer: This is a question you should ask your accountant. If you are relocating a certain distance for work reasons Canada Customs and Revenue Agency could allow you to claim expenses such as flights, moving vans, hotel stays, meals, inspection costs, etc. Again I am not an accountant, but check with your accountant to see if these expenses can be claimed by you.
Question: I don't know much about the area I am moving to, how do I know what is good or a bad area?
Answer: The short answer here is find a good REALTOR®. A good REALTOR® will advise you on average sale prices in the area, crime concerns, commuting distances etc. A good rule of thumb is, the higher the average price of a neighbourhood, the better the neighbourhood. If it looks like it is a great deal, there is probably a location issue with the home. Your REALTOR® can help advise you on what the best area will be for your price range.
Question: What is the market like? I know where I am living everything is selling slowly.
Answer: Again a good REALTOR® will make you aware of what the average days on market is, how much the sellers are coming down in price etc. Really market education is the key.
Question: How should I pick a REALTOR®?
Answer: Referrals from a REALTOR® you know in your current area is one great way. That is how I am connected to most of my relocating clients. Also, talk to friends or family members that may know someone. Some companies have a relocation program that assign you a REALTOR® as well. Be sure to check out the steps involved if you are part of a relocation program. For example, I know with the Canadian Forces you can not list your home before you have your posting message. If you don't follow the right steps, your relocation company may not pay for some of your moving expenses. The internet is also a good way to find a REALTOR®, you can create dialogue through emails and by the phone. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Questions: When choosing a REALTOR® what questions should I ask?
Answer: I would ask how many relocations they deal with per year. How experienced they are (important for neighbourhood knowledge). Do they personally work with you or do they put you in touch with a buyer's agent. If it is a buyers agent, how experienced is that agent.

Corporate Relocations: Relocating your family to Edmonton Part 1

Each year I work with 10 or more families relocating from other cities and regions of Canada into the Metro Edmonton area. I've put together a few questions and answers that might be of help should you be relocating.
Question: Should I have my home sold first?
Answer: This is a big one. I highly recommend you sell your current home first. Even if you can financially swing buying before you sell, it converts you from a want to seller to a have to seller. Your negotiating power on the selling of your home is definitely weakened when you have the added pressure of paying for two households. The other problem is if you do have to sell your current home in order to buy the new home, the seller will most likely put on a 24/48/72 hour clause condition, which means your offer can be bumped at anytime by another buyer. This is a very emotionally draining position for a family to be in. You think you have your dream home tied up and it is pulled out from under you. Not a positive experience.
Question: How many homes should I be looking at?
Answer: The average number of homes a local buyer will physically look at when they are utilizing the internet in their search is 8. I find that my buyers that are from out of the area normally look at double that number (15 or so). That does not mean everyone looks at that amount, as it depends on how many homes are for sale in your price range and area, but it is a fairly accurate average.
Question: I have a week to find a home. Is a week enough time?
Answer: Surprisingly yes! I have actually found that 2 or 3 days of power shopping (looking at 8 or more homes per day) normally is enough time to pick your new home. That still gives you time to line up a building inspection and be present at the inspection before you have to return to your current home. In fact, I do not ever remember having a client not being able to find a home in the week they were given.

Stay tuned for part 2....