Have you heard? According to a recent article in the Houston Business Journal, the relocation market is alive and well in the Houston area. I have been saying this for several months now. A March Census Bureau reported that Houston added 130,000 residents between July 2007 and July 2008. This makes Houston the second highest in the nation (Dallas is number one).
When the Houston Business Journal interviewed me for this story, the reporter asked me to describe how real estate Relocation Departments and their real estate agents fit into the relocation equation. To answer this I detailed the relationships that exist between my department, the clients we serve, and the transferees and new hires who we assist on a daily basis. I also explained the general structure of our Global Relocation Services Division (our Relocation Department), my role and relationships with the clients, transferees and our agents. Crucial to all of this of course, is the training we require of the agents who comprise our Relocation Team.
“Relocation specialists require a special breed of agent. If they (the agents) are working with international clients, there are certain cases where agents being bilingual and having lived abroad themselves is helpful to the transferee. It’s going to take an agent who is very flexible, who is very patient, and above all else, well-trained.” - – Michelle Sandlin
It is my firm belief that agents should have a minimum of 2 years of sales experience as well as proper relocation training. For this reason, I have developed and implemented our Relocation Training and Certification Program. Not all agents are relocation agents. Proper agent training, coaching and guidance sets relocation agents apart and is essential to the growth and success of a well-run Relocation Department.
