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Relocation Process and Steps
The step-by-step process makes the relocation easier and less stressful.
Planning ahead, creating a timeline and working with quality assistance
with local experts will assure a smooth successful transition.
“The emotional component to any move is very rarely (if ever) addressed
by employers, relocation companies or even the transferees, and yet
study after study has shown that ‘unhappiness’ is the main reason for
failure of relocation, whether domestic or international. Respondents
routinely express their frustration at the lack of control and loss of identity.”
Defining Moves
Step One
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Define your needs
Research online before you go – tourist guides, real estate websites,
expat forums (see links section for starting points) to define possible
areas to live
Arrange a fact-finding visit
Arrange temporary accommodation for the first 4-6 weeks
Find a reliable real estate professional who understands
Visit the neighborhoods at various times of day, test commute, visit
local amenities, schools, stores, parks, etc
Getting professional advice before you sign legal documents
Minimizing the stress of moving day
a. What are the essentials (e.g. school, income, medical care)?
b. What gives you greatest fulfillment (family time, friends, work,
travel etc)?
c. What you can’t wait to leave behind (traffic, high living costs,
grouchy boss)
d. What you would like to have in your new life (new interests,
professional growth)
e. Rank your list in order of importance.
What type of house do you like, how many bedrooms do you need, do
you like to cook and so a good kitchen is essential? Work through your
own needs, and then work through family needs – do you need good
schools for your children, specific sports facilities, specialized medical
care? Do you prefer a neighborhood with a wide demographic mix, do
you need access to public transportation? Do you prefer to be near
freeways so you can spend your leisure time traveling, or do you prefer to
be out in the wilds by yourself?
Step Two
The goal of this step is to get a mapped outline of potential areas that
can fulfill the lifestyle priorities that you identified in the previous step.. The
first part of that is to understand what is possible, and orientate yourself to
your new surroundings. The second part is not committing too many of
your waking hours to commuting – especially during the early days, the
more time you have to spend together as a family, the more support you
are able to offer one another.
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Review country information (see Links page)
Buy or download a large-scale map
Label work location
Use Google maps to estimate commute times to neighboring
locations
Identify traffic or security issues that may affect the route
Research other transport options.
Draw perimeter for detailed neighborhood search
Make a list of neighborhoods that fall within the area outlined
a. Review neighborhood information.
b. Do an internet search for real estate sites in listed areas.
c. Use house for sale links to find school and neighborhood
data.
d. Review type and cost of housing available.
e. Make notes of school district information, local
government websites, and location of amenities.
f. Compile questions for HR / Agent / School
Step Three
Choosing the right community and neighborhood.
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Tour the area with a real estate professional or relocation consultant
Go grocery shopping
Note the type of consumer that local businesses attract
Test community services - parks, libraries, sports centers and public
transport
Visit neighborhoods at different times - during rush hour, daytime,
evenings and weekends
Check with local government, police or embassy/consulate
about security
You need to get a really good understanding of the strengths and
weaknesses of your different neighborhood choices before you sign your
life (and, of course, your deposit) away. If you are able to live in
temporary hotel or apartment accommodation before you take a longer
term lease, do it. It is both time-consuming and expensive to move, so do
as much as you can to get it right first time.
Finding a real estate professional to help with your house hunting who you
like and trust can pay dividends
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Contact your agent/relocation consultant before you arrive, with
a top ten list of requirements and photographs of your own house,
and houses you like.
Get written references and evidence of financial status from your
employer, bank and any personal/professional referees.
Go on an escorted ‘Grand Tour’ to see what is actually available in
your price range.
Compare with privately listed properties.
Check to see that there is space available at the local schools,
country clubs etc, if applicable.
Review HR policy for any restrictions.
Cheat Sheet
Step Four
Selecting property, negotiations, rental agreement and
contract and inspection process.
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Do a price comparison for similar properties, and negotiate rent if
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necessary.
Do a thorough inspection, preferably with a real estate professional
and identify maintenance/safety/wear and tear issues for discussion
with landlord. Use the pre-rental inspection form here
If possible, check that the finances on the property are in good
standing.
Check the rental agreement thoroughly before signing – get
professional advice if possible.
Get an advance copy of the rental agreement
Prior to signing is also the point where you have the strongest bargaining
position, so it’s well worth inspecting the property thoroughly for any
failings and negotiating for them to be fixed before your tenancy
commences… It’s pretty miserable paying full rent and having to share
your space with endless repair people, no matter how clean and quiet
they might be. More difficult, but invaluable, is the ability to check
whether mortgages, loans etc are up-to-date on the property, but it’s
worth asking the property manager or landlord for verification.
The following information should be included in your tenancy agreement.
If you can’t find them, make sure you have the agreement checked by a
home rental legal advisor.
LEGAL DETAILS
• Details of the parties involved. Includes the contact details of the
landlord/tenant and anyone else involved in the let, such as a
letting agent and/or guarantor.
• Date of the contract. This is normally the start date of the tenancy.
• Data protection. Ensures a tenant’s details can be shared only with
parties relevant to the let, for example an inventory clerk or utility
company.
• The property. Refers to the fixtures and fittings within the property (such
as kitchen or a fireplace) and the outside space, and should
include items recorded in the inventory.
• The deposit. This is an essential clause which should detail how much
deposit the landlord/agent will take and which tenancy deposit
protection scheme is used to protect your deposit should there be a
dispute.
• The rent. This records how much the rent will be, when it’s due and how
it is to be paid, for example by direct debit. It should also state what
happens if you default on the rent and how the rent can be
increased during your stay.
• Possession and notices. These clauses set out the notice you have to
give the landlord/agent if you want to leave the property and how
the landlord can regain possession of their property.
• Tenant’s obligations. This sets out everything a tenant should – or
shouldn’t – do while renting the property. This would include such
things as keeping it in good order, notifying the landlord/agent if
there is a problem such as a leak. They can be quite extensive so
make sure you read them very carefully and understand each one.
• Fair wear and tear. This explains that some parts of the property may
naturally deteriorate with age, such as carpets fraying, and that the
tenant should not be liable for this.
• Signatures. This is where you and the landlord (or letting agent) sign the
agreement, which makes it binding.
In addition, you should make sure that you and either the landlord or
property agent do a thorough ‘walk through’ inspection before moving
in, complete and sign (both of you) a pre-move inventory which details
(in detail!!) the condition of the property, and take plenty of photographs.
This ensures a fair evaluation of wear and tear/damage to the property in
the event the landlord refuses to return your deposit.
Rental Application - Required Information
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Residency Requirements Passport & Visa Documentation (if
applicable)
Employment Authorization Document (if applicable)
Social Security Number / Tax Identification Number
Bank Account
Credit History
Loan Preapproval
Driver’s License
Insurance (Home, Health, Vehicle, Life)
ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS NEEDED
Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Education and Professional certificates
Bank account details and financial statements (last 6 months)
Credit Card details and statements (last 6 months)
Driver’s license and insurance history
Life insurance
Mortgage statements (annual summaries)
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Tax returns
Will
Start keeping electronic back-ups from the start.
global bank account
1 Proof of Identity
2 Proof of Residence
3 Minimum monetary amount
You are looking for a some key services in your banking institution, the
most important being access to a real person, either within a branch or at
the end of a telephone, who has authority to make decisions. Get the
direct number of the branch when you open your account, as all the
literature that will be given will be for an automated call centre – no fun at
all. You will also need a check book and debit card, and if your bank
offers online banking and bill payments, all the better. Make sure you also
get a written copy of the details you need to make international fund
transfers. These are usually a ABA number or swift code, a full account
number (many are abbreviated for internal use) and a non-PO Box
address for the bank.