The Season for Relocation

Spring is in the air. And with the winter season behind us (rub rabbit’s foot now), the relocation and moving season is about to kick into high gear.

Much of relocation is based around the spring and summer seasons. Why? Well, the school schedule for starters. Junior is on break (assuming Junior isn’t in year-round school) and the family is freed from the draconian schedule long enough to relocate from Point A to Point B. Not to suggest that only families relocate, couples and singles often find spring and summer a good time to relocate. The travel is easier and vacation time more plentiful. Who would really want to relocate in winter given the option? OK, maybe the Arizona and Florida crowd due to the blistering temperatures, but they still follow the traditional real estate demand cycle and school calendar. It’s simple – more homes are listed, more buyers are looking and traditionally, real estate sells more quickly (rub that rabbit’s foot again!) during the “s” seasons. This same scenario exists on the rental side as well. So, whether one is a buyer, seller or renter, they all tend to want to take advantage of the dynamics. Over the next five months, some 60-70% of 2010’s relocation volume will occur. And as such, it is good to be ready.

Relocating and moving are generally considered to be major life events. The industry tends to quote that relocation is among the most stressful life events following death (you think!) and divorce. Emotionally, it can be a huge stressor especially if one lives near a close-knit family, loves their neighbors, enjoys their community connections, etc. Add to this the recent unpleasantness  (yes sir, the economic downturn) with its host of horrors from unemployment to foreclosure; the potential for a relocation to be stressful time has increased dramatically. Now perhaps, your relocation is none of these things. It is like a big, fat birthday party with new job, new city and new life all wrapped up underneath a bright, red ribbon. Congratulations! Regardless of the circumstances, relocation is a change. And with any change – knowledge, preparation and support are all necessary components to help address it. Over the next few weeks, we will be blogging (and blogging fiercely) to help do just that.

Stay tuned!