[Yoda]

We are considering using the Villages relocation services to help sell our house, move us to TV etc. I would be very interested in getting feed back from anyone who has had experience (good or bad) with them.

Thank you

[F16 1UB]

We had the village services choose a "reputable" realtor for our area. Only had 2 contact us and 1 was 3 days later. Went with first agency for 6 months. Dropped em. No action & 30 miles away. We chose the 2nd agency ourselves and even though there's a 6 month contract, this agent said if we aren't happy we can fire them at will. Much more advanced with technology but in the mean time everything has gone south. Oh - Did I mention that our 1st agent dropped over dead with the big one while showing another home 6 weeks after we signed with him? Didn't think so. Omen?!?!? Who cares - we're leaving come hell or high water.

F16

[kar guy]

I was very satisfied with them. I called and stated what I was considering doing and they recommended a company that called me. After listing with them we sold within the next 6 months and have been here ever since. I highly recommend their sevices. take care KAR GUY

[blueeagle65]

Although it has been over five years ago, we used their services and they helped a bunch. They found three highly rated realtors in our area from which we picked one. They also hooked us up with movers with whom we were very satisfied. When things weren't going as we had hoped with the sale of our house the relo people yanked the sales people's chain and set them into action again. Apparently they do have some pull in 'the business' and a good -or- bad word from them means a lot. Plus it was a free service.

We recently used them. It is true, they sent two qualified real estate agents from our area to evaluate our situation. Both of them appear to have excellent sales statistics in our city. However, neither of them have much of a pulse for our exact neighborhood.

Our city has a population of approximately 75,000 people. Like most cities of this size there are regional neighborhoods which sell for more or less than the median prices. Neither agent referred to us by TV knew the reputation of our neighborhood where houses are regularly priced slightly above other seemingly similar neighborhoods in our city. In fact, one of the agents made this comment about a house which recently sold a few blocks away from us: "I don't know why people would pay that much for such a small house in need of repair in this area."

He generally sells houses in more exclusive "gated" parts of town. Our neighborhood is just a good old fashioned family friendly part of town. He was probably picked by TV because of his outstanding sales record. We liked him, but will probably not use him based on his lack of experience in our area.

It doesn't hurt to at least let TV send some agents over to your house. At least that way you can see who they are and decide for yourself if they are the correct match for you.

Good Luck.

[tankdvr1950]

we contacted the Relocation Service and met with a representative during our visit to TV in September....the rep sat with us and explained exactly what they offer etc

we contacted them and even though we are not planning on listing our house until spring, they were more than willing to contact realtors in our area to get a market analysis on our home. We were almost immediately contacted by two very qualified realtors whom we met with and we now have two market analysis of our home...happily, the value was more than we expected in the current market

our plan is to sell our home and rent in TV for a few months while looking for our dream house there.....the nice thing about the reloc service, they just about guaranteed us that no matter what time of year we are ready to move and need the rental, they will have one for us...even during peak season.

while we have a ways to go to get to TV...so far we give the reloc service high marks.

[dfn8tly]

I used The Villages Relocation Services this year and was very pleased with them. I bought my home in Feb. and went back up north to sell that one. Relo. Svcs. arranged for two local Realty Companies to contact me. Unfortunately these were not the most experienced and powerful in my area. So I call relo. and they contacted the Realtor I wanted, got a signed agreement and set up the interviews. I selected the Realtor I wanted and they did an excellent job. Working with me required a lot of patience and flexibility. Sold my home in 15 weeks at the height of the market downturn and a terrible winter.

Relo. Svcs. also contacted 3 major moving companies whom I interviewed and made my selection. They worked well with me and were very cooperative. They were very open about NOT wanting to lose the Villages account.

One of the good things about The Villages Relo. is that they require frequent reports from the Realtors and moving companies. They want to know what is being done and what corrections will be made, if necessary. This was in addition to my communications requirements which were almost daily (yes, I'm a micro-manager).

All in all, I found The Villages Relocation Service very competent and anxious to make you, the buyer, very happy.

[Number 6]

We did not use this service this spring and here is why. I wanted to use a specific real estate agent (#1 in our market) and wanted him to get his full commission. I thought that it would encourage him to sell the home, which he did in two weeks. Also I know a mover (national company) who gave me a better deal than I would have gotten from the relocation service. When I told him about the 62% discount he laughed, and told me he would do that deal all day.

[swrinfla]

It'll be four years ago when I used the service. They gave me three realtor names (each company was well known and respected in the city), the specific agents who contacted me also had high profiles. The one I chose wasn't always the easiest to deal with but she sold the house within a month, which was "normal" back then, would have been exceptional today!

The same scenario with movers. One company didn't want to come to the house to estimate (I was on the fringes of a "questionably safe" neighborhood), so they were easily eliminated. The second was a national firm who sent an estimator the very next day. Their service was wonderful and everything arrived here safe and sound. The two guys who loaded also unloaded and they were great fun and very efficient.

I was definitely interested in reducing hassle when I decided to move. ReLo's help met my expectations 100%.

SWR

P.S.: Y'all be careful out there tomorrow night! Lots of weridos partying!

[BigGuy]

has anyone used this service moving from the North east?

[MMC24]

Big Guy:

We used this service 3 years ago at the peak of the Connecticut housing market. They gave us 3 Realtor's in the area, interviewed all three and selected one. Additionally, they gave us the names of two moving companies which we selected one to move us at 60% discount off of regular moving rates. Sold the house in 3 months and moved to TV. The TV Relo. service was very helpful. We are now happily living in paradise!!!

[Pookirgirl]

We were there in March and after having our home on the market for over two years , decided to see one of the relocation specialists. She couldn't understand why our home was having such a difficult time. She assured us it was lovely and felt the price was fair although she wasn't real familiar with NJ real estate. She made a few suggestions to us and said she would make a contact call to our realty company's relocation service. Well, after being home for a few weeks, our listing has expired and we are now doing a FSBO. We never heard from her....I am told by someone that there was a big downsizing in TV and she was "let go". Needless to say, we were sad to hear about it. She was so very helpful and really attempted to make an effort to help us. Very unfortunate that the "powers that be" let go of such worthy and dedicated workers.

[interested]

We are using the relo service. They sent us two realtors to choose from and offered the option of sending in another one. A "friend" wanted our business and we could have gotten her approved by relo but chose one of the agents recommended. The house has been on the market for a month so we will see. Cindy, our relo contact seems very helpful.

[CTgolfer]

We are in the process now of selling our home in the Northeast. We too seriously considered using the TV relocation service. However, in this "down" market, realtors who are very familiar with your particular neighborhood are not that "interested" in sharing commissions with the TV relocation service. We would have very much liked to take advantage of the moving company discount, but our instinct told us to use a local realtor that specializes in relocations.

[billethkid]

There must be more to the "relocation service" than that!

BTK