Moving Tips Agents Should Give Their Clients

If you’re a real estate professional, you know how stressed clients who are moving can get, especially if they’re moving for the first time or haven’t moved in a long while. But as an industry professional, you can offer them more guidance than you think. They already trust you to sell their home or find them a new one – why not also help them weather the other parts of moving, too? Here are some ways you can assist your clients in the moving process.

• Give them advice for finding a reliable moving company. When clients don’t desire to do the packing and/or moving themselves, they’ll need to hire a moving company. However, many clients don’t know the first thing about comparing companies and choosing the best fit for them. Since you know their situation, give them some tips for finding a company that will offer a good deal. If you know of a reputable company, let your clients in on your secret. Furthermore, refer them to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s brochures, Moving Fraud Prevention Checklist and Red Flags of Moving Fraud, on www.protectyourmove.gov.
• Create a moving checklist. Many clients are unsure of what type of timeline is required for their move. Make a checklist that breaks down tasks that should be performed each week, starting several months before moving day. This will help your clients stay organized – and they will love you for it!
• Help them understand the difference between basic released value liability and full value protection. Clients often believe that moving companies will pay them the full amount for their property if lost or damaged en route to their new home, however this is not always correct. As a seasoned professional, educate your client on the difference, and perhaps recommend they move certain items themselves, especially items moving companies don’t transport.
• Share budget suggestions. Since you are better equipped to estimate how much various parts of a move might cost, you can provide your clients with this information. If their budget is tight, assist them with whittling it down to the essentials. Also, refer them to the Internal Revenue Service site’s section on moving expenses so they can check for tax deductions they might be eligible for.
• Offer a list of recommended service people. It can be exhausting to spend hours and hours researching service people needed before and after a move. Provide your clients with a list of people you recommend, including a cleaner, exterminator, interior decorator, handyman, contractor, and anyone else you find necessary or helpful to clients during the moving process.

Provide extra value to your clients by going above and beyond the call of duty. Not only will your clients be grateful for the assistance, but they’ll probably be even more likely to refer your services to their friends, family, and coworkers. Click here for the article on Keeping Current Matters.