What Is a Relocation Specialist? What They Do and Don’t Do

What is a real estate relocation specialist?

First things first, a real estate relocation specialist is an experienced agent who’s gone through extra training and earned certifications like Certified Relocation Professional (CRP®) and Military Relocation Professional (MRP).

A CRP® usually works with employees who are being relocated by their company, while an MRP works with military members who are moving to a new station. Relocation specialists can support both buyers and sellers, helping buyers find the right home in a new location and helping sellers get their home sold faster.

These professionals are held to a high standard. On top of completing initial training, they have to keep up with ongoing education each year, and they’re typically strong communicators and highly organized.

Support for sellers and buyers

When the relocation specialist is also handling the home sale, they step into the role of listing agent as well. They put together a broker market analysis (BMA), which goes deeper than a comparative market analysis (CMA) and uses current market data and comparable sales to help determine the right listing price.

Conover says that the BMA is “almost as detailed as an actual appraisal would be…we have to visit homes that are similar to theirs and give a breakdown so that we can come up with a very, very good idea of what it will sell for.”

When the home is priced correctly, it tends to sell more quickly, which helps the client stay on schedule with their relocation.

Often, a relocation specialist works through a third-party relocation company that an employer hires to help manage an employee’s move.

These companies usually handle a wide range of support, including mortgages, moving, storage, temporary housing, home sales, cost tracking, and even helping find a new school, place of worship, or nearby amenities. They also walk clients through the employer’s relocation policies so everything stays organized and on track.

While relocation specialists are most commonly used by companies or the military, individuals can also work with a real estate relocation specialist. In those cases, Conover notes that the client will “benefit from the additional experience and education I have as a corporate relocation person, but I’m helping them as a regular buyer [or seller].”

How does an agent become a relocation specialist?

Becoming a relocation specialist takes more than just being a real estate agent. As mentioned, it involves completing extra training and earning specialized certifications that focus on helping clients move. Let’s go over these programs and what each one requires.

Certified Relocation Professional or CRP®

To become a CRP®, an agent needs one to three years of experience helping clients with relocation and must complete CRP® training through the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC®). Then, they must pass the exam that covers the entire relocation industry, from policy development to U.S. tax and legal compliance issues to relocation appraisal.

To go a step further, an agent can be designated a Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP) if they’ve earned the Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded after they’ve earned 25 service points through Worldwide ERC®.

To earn points, a WERC member must participate in a WERC-sponsored focus group, present as a panelist at a WERC meeting program, and publish an article or blog in any WERC publication, among other activities.

Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

To earn their MRP certification, Realtors® must be members in good standing with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). They must take the one-day course either online or in a live classroom setting and pass the exam.

During this course, agents learn about VA financing, military relocation procedures, ways to help military members sell their homes or find a new home to purchase, and other things necessary to help make a military move go as smoothly as possible.

On top of the course itself, agents also pay a one-time application fee of $195. After that’s covered, there aren’t any annual certification fees, but they do need to stay active with NAR membership to keep using the MRP designation.

Conover works with military members and their families and says that because it’s a government move, “there is more red tape to go through than your normal transaction,” so having a relocation specialist can help work through all of it.

What services can a relocation specialist provide?

As relocation comes with a lot of moving parts, it’s easy for things to feel overwhelming. A relocation specialist helps take some of that pressure off by guiding you through each stage of the process. From planning the move to settling into a new home and community, they’re there to keep things organized and running smoothly. Here are some of the services a relocation specialist provides:

Pre-move planning and coordination

• Figuring out what you need and explaining company policies: They start by understanding what the employee and family need for the move and breaking down what the employer actually covers. With this, everyone gets on the same page before anything gets started.
• Planning the budget and setting the moving timeline: They help map out how much the move might cost and build a realistic timeline for each step. This keeps the whole process more organized and less stressful.
• Picking the right vendors: They connect clients with trusted movers and short-term housing options. With this, clients save time and don’t have to stress about figuring out which providers are the right fit.
• Selling the home: They handle the home sale process and provide pricing guidance, helping the home get on the market quickly, stay aligned with the relocation timeline, and move smoothly toward closing.

Logistical support during the move

• Packing, shipping, and storing your stuff: They coordinate how everything gets packed up, shipped, or stored during the move. This helps make sure belongings arrive safely and on time.
• Moving cars and pets to the new place: They help arrange transport for vehicles and pets so nothing gets left behind. This is especially helpful for long-distance or cross-country moves.
• Helping with paperwork for international moves: For international relocations, they guide clients through visa and immigration requirements. This helps reduce confusion and avoids unnecessary delays.

Settling into the new home

• Finding a new home: They help clients look for a new home or connect them with trusted local real estate agents. This makes it easier to land in a place that actually fits their needs.
• Providing schools and childcare options: They offer information on nearby schools and childcare so families can make informed choices. This is especially helpful when moving to a completely new area.
• Getting familiar with the area: They help you get to know the new community and point you to important services like doctors and utility providers. Some would even arrange for tours and orientation in your new neighborhood. This makes settling in feel a lot less overwhelming.

If a third-party company isn’t involved, the relocation specialist will likely have recommendations for people or companies who can perform these services.

»Learn more: Moving homes is already a big step, so it helps to know what costs to expect upfront. Try our Real Estate Agent Commissions Calculator to get a fast, simple estimate of Realtor fees.

What does a relocation specialist not do?

While a relocation specialist is there to assist you with nearly everything related to your move and help you get settled in a new area, there are a few things that they won’t do (and you shouldn’t ask):

• Help find your spouse or partner a new job: Although relocation specialists know local companies and who’s hiring, they’re not responsible for helping your spouse or partner find a job or set up interviews.
• Watch your kids: Giving you information on local schools is in their job description, but babysitting your kids (or your pets) is not.
• Run your errands: Your relocation specialist is not your errand-runner. Asking your relocation specialist to pick up your dry cleaning, grab a gallon of milk, or drop packages at the post office are all no-nos.

How is the process different when you work with a relocation specialist?

While the buying or selling process is mostly the same with a relocation specialist, they also bring extra support and local know-how that can make things a lot easier.

Conover points out that this can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. When a job relocation is involved, it often adds extra pressure on the spouse or partner, as well as the whole family. Since the move is usually driven by one person’s job, their partner may need to find work, the kids might be switching schools or daycare, and everyone is stepping into a new city with very little familiarity.

Conover explains that relocation specialists have “enhanced knowledge of neighborhoods because some of these people have never been to Atlanta before. So, to me, my responsibility is to make sure there is no stone left unturned as far as neighborhoods that might work for them.”

Does a relocation specialist cost more than a regular agent?

Working with a relocation specialist usually doesn’t cost the client extra out of pocket. In most cases, the employer or the military covers a big chunk of the moving expenses.

Many companies offer relocation packages, which are basically financial support to help cover the cost of moving for a job. The details can vary depending on the employer, the role, and how far you’re moving, but they often include a few key things:

• Moving costs: This covers hiring professional movers, packing materials, and transportation of household goods.
• Temporary housing: This pays for short-term accommodation if there’s a gap between selling and buying homes.
• Home buying and selling assistance: This is reimbursement for real estate commissions, closing costs, and other related expenses
• Travel expenses: This covers costs for flights, gas, and meals while relocating.
• Miscellaneous costs: These may include pet relocation services, car shipping, or even help for a spouse or partner finding a job.

Relocation packages are there to help take some of the financial stress out of moving, so employees can settle into their new place more easily. Employers can also tailor these packages to fit different needs, making the whole process a bit smoother for both the employee and their family.

How can I find a reputable relocation real estate agent?

If you’re being relocated by your company, they’re likely working with a third-party relocation company that will have a roster of highly qualified agents that they can pair you with. To make things easier when you get to the new area, the listing agent in the original city can refer you to a buyer’s agent in the new area who will walk you through the process of finding the best neighborhood, buying a home, choosing a school, and more.

If your move is not associated with a company, you can search “relocation specialists near me” on the internet, or better yet, use a reputable agent matching service.

Make moving easier with the help of a relocation specialist

Relocating and possibly uprooting your family can be a really stressful and overwhelming experience. That’s where a relocation specialist comes in. They bring extra training and experience, and they also understand the emotional side of a big move, especially when a whole family is involved.

“When somebody is getting relocated, it’s usually one person, and the spouse may not be on board. The kids may not be on board, so you have to be their emotional support,” Conover says.

Because relocation specialists understand how stressful the process can be, she shares, “I’ve had people snap at me and yell at me, but it’s like water off a duck’s back because I know that it’s just stress.” On the flip side, she says, “They are some of my favorite clients, and many of them are friends now.”

Finding a great relocation specialist doesn’t have to be hard. At HomeLight, we analyze over 27 million home sale transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. Connect with a top-performing agent in your area today.

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