[RCinMN]

We are considering using TV Relocation Services when we move down to TV. We were wondering if anybody has any experience using their services.

[villages07]

RC...I did enlist their services when I bought...with mixed results. Of course, there is no cost to you.

Moving Services...I had 3 major companies they work with give me estimates...the big attraction being their 50+% discount off of regular charges; I also had an acquaintance who worked for United Van Lines give me an estimate; my acquaintance met or bettered the estimates I got from TV's moving companies...so, no real savings there.

They did identify 3 local agents for listing my house...1 was from a faraway town with a name similar to my town (so they missed the mark on this one); the other was a fairly junior agent; the 3rd a top producer at a large local broker whose name I was familiar with. I chose this agent. The deal is that TV's relo dept gets about a third of the seller's commission when your house sells. To date (a year later), my house hasn't sold and I will sever my ties to the listing agent and relo folks by mid Nov. No real fault of the agent or Relo dept...agent did everything required of a listing. Just a slow market. Relo dept, in my opinion, added no value during the listing period.

So, in short, it doesn't cost you anything and they can provide assistance in getting favorable moving rates and identifying 'top producers' in your local real estate market. But, don't expect any miracles. If houses aren't selling in your area, TV's relo folks won't magically make it happen.

Good luck to you.

[swrinfla]

RCinMN:
villages07's experience was not as favorable as mine, but there's a world of difference in the housing market since I came to TV in Feb'05.

I was delighted to have the relocation folks do the leg-work for me in suggesting a realtor and a mover. Sure, I might very well have found a "better" option in either case, but I was not attuned to doing the research. I'd been in the same house for more than 40 years, and the business of moving all that had been accumulated in that time had me floored!

The realtors and the moving companies Relo offered were known to be top notch in my old hometown. Each responded quickly and efficiently to my needs, and I was very glad to have let the Relocation folks do the hard work!

As a small plus, I was very pleased that the two guys who did the actual cleaning out of my home "up north," were the same guys who brought everything into my new place here in TV! I felt much better that they'd be respectful of my furniture, would pay attention to my directions as to where things were to go.

I doubt seriously that I'll ever move again, but my experience with Relo was relaxing enough for me that I'd call upon them another time!

[pili]

Are you guys saying the Relo service suggest a good Realtor in your home town to help list your home? If yes, how do I get in touch with them? I also understand they give you quotes or recommend moving companies? Our plan is to sell our house next year and then probably move to TV. If we can compare the local (here in Barrington, IL) realtors they recommend with ones we are considering, it'll be great.

Thank you again for all the good information.

Pili

[swrinfla]

Yes, pili -
The Relo people here in TV provided me with at least two choices of local realtor and two of moving companies, both in my old home town. There may even have been three choices; I can't remember for sure, now.
It was up to me to make a final selection, but, as I said before, the firms suggested were known to have excellent reputations there. I was impressed that I had calls from each suggested company within days of Relo's suggestions - all without me having done any calling, myself!
Now, the hooker to this may be: I had already commited to becoming a Villager, by having put money down on a lot here. Whether that's a step you must take before they'll give you suggestions, I'm honestly not sure. It wouldn't surprise me, though!
Still and all, it's certainly worth looking into, further!

[GERALDINE]

Yes, they'll give you names of several local realtors and moving companies, however our experience in 2005 was kind of the same as some of the others. We got better moving prices on our own (and were VERY pleased with their services) AND after using 3 different Realtors in 18 months...we sold it on our own with forsalebyowner.com. It's true though, it doesn't cost you a dime to utilize the Relocation Services. Good Luck.

[pili]

Thank you for replies...it is appreciated. JKP, you said you used. "forsalebyowner.com". Do you recommend their services? We are considering starting out by using one of those services to save some money. Whatever you can add, is appreciated.

Thank you.

pili

[Villages Kahuna]

On one hand, if it's a service offered by The Villages, it is very likely to be first-rate.

On the other hand, how could people located in central Florida possibly know who the best realtors and movers are in cities or towns more than 1,000 miles away? It seems to me that most people already know the best and most active realtors are in the location where they're selling a home. Just counting for sale signs is a good indicator of the most active realtors in any market.

As far as movers are concerned, any good realtor worth his salt will have a list of both movers and providers of other services, like mortgage brokers, house inspectors, etc., that they will recommend.

I get back to the question of how TV relocation people could have any better information than an experienced local realtor, no matter how hard they try to provide it.