Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1:
Talk with your Personal Relocation Manager (PRM)
1. Who is my PRM?
Your community has partnered with Moving Station to offer a Personal Relocation Manager to assist with your transition into the community. Your PRM is one point of contact who will work closely with you to coordinate all aspects of your move. If you haven’t spoken to your PRM yet, let your community know.
2. What services does Moving Station offer?
Moving Station’s Personal Relocation Managers will assist with your home sale, recommend an organizer/downsizer, recommend a mover and coordinate the actual move into the community for you. They will be your one point of contact that will help you plan your timeline and provide you with all the resources you will need along the way.
Step 2:
Meet with Moving Station’s Recommended Real Estate Agents
1. Does my Personal Relocation Manager really know my local real estate market?
Our dedicated team of experts works in real estate markets nationwide. Through the technology we have at our fingertips, our PRMs are able to hone in on your specific neighborhood so that we are always able to have an accurate picture of the happenings in your market. As you get ready to meet with real estate agents, the agents selected will be local experts right there in your backyard, however, our PRMs are able to bring a different and objective perspective by being an expert nationwide.
2. When is the best time to put my home on the market?
Your PRM will be able to work with you to decide the best plan once you meet with two Moving Made Easy recommended agents. Based on your anticipated move-in date to your community, we can determine how quickly inventory is selling in your area and the best time for you to list to maximize your selling potential.
3. What are the average days on market in my area?
Market conditions typically vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Speak with your PRM about meeting with real estate agents now. They will be able to equip you with market information specific to your neighborhood and work with you to put a plan in place for the best time to list your home so you can meet your goals.
4. What is a Comparative Market Analysis?
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a tool that Moving Station uses to help put a plan in place for your home sale. This extensive report outlines the features and challenges of your property, market information, and how your property compares to current competition and recent sales. The report also includes the agents’ recommendations for getting the home ready, their marketing plans, and their suggested listing prices. Your PRM reviews the CMAs and will discuss the information with you to ensure you have the most objective data possible to make decisions surrounding your home sale.
5. I plan to use a friend or family member to be my listing agent. Are there any pitfalls in doing so? Will Moving Station still help me with my home sale if I list with my own agent?
You want to ensure that you are exploring all options so you can feel confident in the decisions you make. It is important to hire an agent that you can also “fire”. If your friend or family member is not doing a good job for you, will you be able to fire them? Additionally, someone who only has a “business” relationship with you may be better able to speak objectively to you about how your house compares with others in the neighborhood.
Step 3:
Prepare the home for sale / downsize
1. Should I sell my home furnished or unfurnished?
It is helpful to a buyer to see furniture placement in the rooms, but it is also important to ensure there aren’t too many pieces cluttering the room. Work with your PRM and agent to determine the best layouts for each room to maximize its space for marketing photos and showings.
2. Should I make updates to my home before listing it?
We do not recommend doing any renovations as it is unlikely that you will see a return on investment. Your PRM and agent will make suggestions to help your house show in the best light. Staging could be an option to help open up the rooms and show the buyers its full potential.
3. What do I do with my stuff?
Speak with your PRM; they can help determine the best options for those items you are uncertain about. Additionally, we are happy to connect you with a professional organizer who can work with you in-person on downsizing, space planning, and settling into your new home.
4. Where should I put packed boxes if I’m going to be showing the house?
It is best to put the boxes in the basement, garage, or another storage space in your home. The buyers know that you are moving; however, it is important to not have the boxes be the first thing they see when they walk in the door.
Step 4:
List your house
1. What is my PRM’s role once the house is listed?
Your PRM constantly reviews the marketing presence to ensure your property presents the best first impression. We work very closely with the listing agent to review the number of showings, feedback received both from buyers and other agents, changes taking place in the market which affect your home, and what strategies might help your home be the next to sell. Your PRM communicates with you frequently, as well, to ensure that you are kept apprised of all this information and that you are pleased with the job the agent is doing in selling your home.
2. What if my house sells before I can move?
There are many options you can discuss with your PRM if you find yourself in this enviable situation, depending on how much time there is between the closing on your house and your move date. Sometimes you can negotiate a ‘post possession’ clause in the contract. There are several different types of temporary housing options, and we encourage you to talk with your PRM to discuss what might be right for you.
Step 5:
Meet with a van line
1. When do I meet with movers?
Once you have decided, for the most part, what you are going to take and what you will be leaving behind, contact your PRM to determine when would be the best time to start meeting with movers.
2. Can I use my own movers?
Yes, you are free to choose your own mover. We just ask that you coordinate your move in time with your PRM who will reach out to your mover. They will need your movers contact information when it comes time to coordinate your move.
3. Where do I get free boxes?
Moving Station’s recommended van line companies can provide you with up to 20 free boxes once you’ve confirmed that you will be working with them for your move. There may be a charge to have the boxes delivered to you, but you can pick them up from the warehouse free-of-charge if you prefer.
4. Does Moving Station get a special rate from moving companies?
Our team here at Moving Station puts a lot of care and energy into vetting our van line partners. To ensure a successful move for you, we require that the movers are licensed and insured, background checked and drug tested, and that they hire full-time employees versus hiring day labor. While there is no specific special rate, our van line partners are contracted to ensure you are provided the best overall value. In addition, our PRMs review the estimates and final charges to verify that there is nothing out of the ordinary and that your final charges do not exceed the estimate by more than 10%.
5. What if there is damage during the move?
Standard insurance is included with your estimate, however, you have the option to select a higher tier. Should there be any damage, your PRM will help facilitate the claims process with the movers. Once the claims are completed, you would be paid based on the tier of insurance you selected.
6. Does the community offer extra insurance beyond what the movers offer?
No, your community does not offer extra insurance. The insurance you receive from Moving Station’s preferred van line should be more than adequate.
Step 6:
Coordinate the move in date with your PRM
1. How can I set my move date?
Once you’ve been notified by your community that move dates can be scheduled, contact your PRM. Moving Station is managing the move-in calendar for your community, so your PRM will be able to confirm a move date with you during this phone call. If you are using one of our recommended van lines for the move, the PRM will also notify them of your move date.
2. How many people will be able to move in per day?
Once the building is a bit closer to completion, representatives from Moving Station and our recommended van line partners will do a walkthrough to determine how many moves can be safely accommodated each day. Our ultimate goal is for everyone’s move into the community to go as smoothly as possible.