I'm curious. What exactly is a Home Relocation Manager?

A Home Relocation Manager is a professional who specializes in assisting families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation. What all Relocation Managers share is a profound commitment to connecting with families and a desire to perform meaningful work.

Although specific services vary, Relocation Managers can help with some or all of the following:

• Developing an overall plan
• Organizing, sorting and downsizing
• Customized floor plans
• Arranging for the profitable disposal of unwanted items through auction, estate sale, buy-out, consignment, donation, or a combination of the above
• Interviewing, scheduling and overseeing movers
• Arranging shipments and storage
• "Clutter" packing
• Unpacking and setting up the new home
• Related services, such as cleaning, waste removal, shopping, assisting with selection of a realtor and helping prepare the home to be sold.

Some Relo Managers provide these services directly; others function in more of an oversight or management role. Home Relocation Managers have extensive, practical knowledge about the costs, quality and availability of various local community resources.

Additionally, Relo managers frequently assist individuals that simply require expert organizational skills to help them achieve their goal of . . . not going anywhere, but improving quality of life!

One call to a Home Relocation Manager can connect you with services, families need, for a seamless, successful transition of all kinds.

Who uses Relocation Managers?

"Relo" Managers are contacted by various sources:

• Elder Adults & Family Members
• Families or Individuals relocating/transferring/retiring IN TO or OUT OF the area
• Bank and Trust Officers
• Health Care Managers
• Attorneys / CPA's / Financial Advisors
• Social Service Providers / Social Workers
• Human Resource Directors
• Senior living communities
• Physicians and allied Health Providers
• Realtors
• Pastors
• Staging Professionals
• Builders / Contractors
• Moving Companies
• Storage Companies

What are the real benefits of home relocation management services?

• Relo Managers have significant expertise in resources and approaches that save money, reduce stress and produce quality results.
• Services are client-centered and personalized to meet the client's needs and preferences. Families, particularly, should never doubt the power of an outside expert!
• NASMM members are reviewed for insurance and experience requirements prior to acceptance.
• Ongoing educational programs reflect the NASMM commitment to professionalism and to working with families.
• NASMM has developed a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for all members.

Why is Relocation Management needed now and not twenty years ago?

• The numbers tell the story. The U.S. population aged 65 and over will jump nearly 80 percent when the Baby Boom generation retires (from 2010 to 2030). By 2030, the elderly will account for one-fifth of the total U.S. population. Did you also know that Americans age 85 and above comprise the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population?
• Today, many families are geographically dispersed and adult children are often not able to help with the relocation process due to distance, career and family obligations. For family members living far away, the barriers may be geographic.
• If injury, illness or death precipitates the transition, the family is likely already drained both emotionally and physically. They need help. Relocation Management has emerged to fill these gaps and to facilitate the transition for everyone involved.
• Older adults making a transition have usually not moved in 20, 30, 40 or 50 years and need to downsize considerably. The organizational and physical tasks associated with planning and implementing such a complex project can be overwhelming for the entire family. Seeking out the help of experienced, insured professionals is smart, economical, and measurably less stressful than doing it on your own.
• Time limitations due to Job transfers, school schedules or house closings may create a faster than expected transition. Relocation Managers have resources and know shortcuts to save time on each end.

How much do Relocation services cost?

• It's virtually impossible to calculate what a specific move might cost, as the fee can vary considerably by geographic region and the services requested.
• Additionally, some Relo Managers charge their fees on an hourly basis, while others prefer to package the cost of the entire job at one price.
• NASMM members will always outline the cost of a job through a written estimate before you are required to submit payment.

I am interested in obtaining some help, but we can do most of the work to save money. Can I still contact a "Relo" Manager to do just some of the work?

• Yes, most Managers offer a menu of services from which you can choose and you pay accordingly. The ultimate goal of this industry is to ease the stress of the relocation process for the family members, not add to your concerns.

What makes a Home Relocation Manager different from just a moving company? They seem pretty similar to me . . . are they?

• Relocation Managers provide a multi-faceted approach to the process: from space planning in the beginning to post support and advocacy.
• Relocation Managers minimize the chaos and stress by addressing all aspects of the process. They are responsible to for creating and executing a seamless action plan, customized to the client's wishes.
• Actually, some but not all Managers are also movers. Those providers that are not movers will work closely with a reputable local moving company to complete that aspect of the job.
• With the gentle and expert guidance of an experienced Relocation Manager, families make the key decisions without the emotional and physical distress that can follow. As a result, they avoid the costly mistakes and remorse that often accompany such major lifestyle transitions.
• Home Relocation Managers do so much more than simply sort, settle and shuffle boxes; with loads of energy, enthusiasm and experience, Relocation managers take the worry (and work!) out of the process. The client's job is to simply enjoy his or her new living arrangement.

What questions should I ask when deciding to contract with a Relocation Manager?

• How long have you been providing Home Relocation Management services?
• What are your professional credentials?
• Have you participated in any formal training or certification programs? If so, which one?
• Are you fully insured for liability and workers' compensation?
• How do you charge? (Fees should be provided in writing to the consumer or responsible party prior to providing services).
• Will you provide a written contract?
• Can you provide references?