Anyone used a Relocation Agent?

[TabithaTwitchet]

Hi there,

We are moving to Germany at the start of the new academic year, and are struggling a bit with the idea of finding accomodation, kindergarten, sorting everything out etc whilst still in the UK; because we both work it will be hard to get any time to actually go out there and househunt before DH needs to be there to start his new job.

I was wondering if anyone else had used a relocation agent to help them with everything. Did you find it worth the money? (how much did it cost?, if that's not a rude question)
Would you reccomend it?

And if you didn't use a relocation agent, how did you manage to sort everything out yourself? Should add that neither DH or I speak more than the most rudimentary German (yet! - we are trying to learn a bit before we go out, but have not progressed to being able to negotiate rental contracts or open bank accounts etc)

Thanks

Bump!

We did when we moved to Berlin. We didn't have DC then so it was all quite a bit simpler but I would definitely use one if we were to do it again with DC. I don't know how much it cost as it was part of the package that DH's employers offered.

Where are you moving to? When I was in Germany (which is about 10 years ago) Frankfurt was very difficult to find accomodation in. There are also a few oddities about renting in Germany that an agent would help you with. You may find that that the property doesn't come with a kitchen for instance (quite common I think). There was also something weird about normal rental contracts that our agent negotiated us out of, I think the tenant has to find a replacement tenant if they want to move out.

Thanks Bran,
We are moving to Munich. I had heard about the kitchen thing, so have been trying to search for flats with a fitted kitchen. I didn't know that you had to find another tenant after you move out though .

That may have just been the norm in Berlin, I'm not sure. We rented what was called a 'complete household' which had bedding and crockery and everything we needed, plus we had a fixed notice period when we wanted to move out. We did pay about 60% more than the going rate for a normal rental though because we needed the flexibility. The thing is if you don't know anyone there who can tell you what to watch out for then you could end up getting caught out by something unexpected.

When DH was working in Amsterdam a few years ago I used this to research where to live and what he should look out for and then he used a normal rental agent to find a fully-furnished short-term let. I've also bought the Dublin version in preperation for our move there this summer even though it's my home town because I don't know how things like bin collection and health insurance work. Unfortunately there isn't a Munich version, only a Berlin one.

Have you googled for expat sites aimed at those living in Germany/Munich?

Does your DH know any of his colleagues out there? He could ask them or his employer's HR department for a recommendation for relocation agents.

This site seems useful, and they have a couple of links to relocation agencies. You could always email and ask them how much they charge.

DH doesn't really know any colleagues yet, only met them at interview! Have emailed the office that supposedly deals with these things, got an automated email back saying that the office was temporarily not working, (and wishing everyone a happy new year) so presumably has been out of action for a while.

Have been looking at the Toytown Germany site, but haven't actually posted any questions on there yet, some of the posters seem a bit abrupt and it has put me off

We had a relocation when we moved to the USA. I don't know the cost because it was part of our relocation package.

It was a very good service. DH did the look-see as I was 8+ months pregnant at the time.

The relocation agent got a handle on what we wanted and then set up house viewings, which she drove DH to. Once he made his decision, she worked with the realtor on the contract. She also got all our utilities hooked up. She enrolled our children in school. She set up a bank account.

When we arrived, she sent a taxi/van to the airport to pick us and our 20 suitcases up. It dropped us off at our new house where there were 2 hire cars sitting in the garage. There was milk in the fridge and bread etc. There may also have been a bottle of fizz.

A couple of days later, she delivered our cat to us.

It was not life or death for us to have a relocation agent because we were already familiar with the language and culture. However, it was very helpful. I think if you are moving to somewhere that is foreign to you, then a relocation agent must be invaluable.

We had a relocation agent asigned to us when we moved to Switzerland. Frankly my nine year old could have done better. All she did was find us a flat, no choice, just the one flat. We set up our phone, electricity, water and internet, set up the bank acount etc. OTOH, our friends had a different one and she was just how Mme describes, down to the cats.
For our move to Belgium, I've found a house on the internet, sorted our removals and found dd a school. All is going well but in Belgium they speak English.

we did, but it was paid for by dh firm. If the company will pay, then might as well use it. If you have to pay, I wouldn't bother tbh.

Where abouts in Germany?

Come over to the german thread and ask away, I'm near Munich btw if I can help in any way.

oh, I've just seen you're moving to Munich CAT Me if you want and consider myself at your disposal. I like having projects. Any thoughts on area? How many dc? Age? How long you thinking of tsaying?

Wow ErnestTheBavarian you are near Munich! Brilliant, will definitely CAT you if that is OK
We have just the one DC, aged 2.5
Don't have any set-in-stone thoughts on area, but were vaguely thinking Nymphenburg/Neuhausen sort of areas... DH will be working at the University, so pretty much in the centre. To be honest we are a bit clueless about area, just want somewhere with a nice family friendly feel, some local shops and green spaces, not too expensive. I like the idea of being on a tram route, but that is just me being whimsical

so you want to be right in town. cool. yes, Cat me if you can

Our's was paid for by DH's company. She was very helpful with setting up Bank Accounts/Lease/Utility companies etc. When we arrived at our apartment on Friday evening, the gas and electricity hadn't been switched on (mega panic) and she sorted that.

With regards to the house hunting part she was crap. Well she sorted all the visits, logistically speaking, but I would rather have just given her a list. Our criteria were simple. Commutable to central Brussels by public transport/creche and schools nearby/ 3 beds. She showed us some LOVELY houses - in the middle of nowhere. Didn't know where the school/bus stop was.

One house was SO lovely DH was practically in tears at the thought he could ever live in such a place. It was dead rural though and miles from anything. Sadly not practical....

Kreecher, hopefully we can organise a meet up when you move to Belgium....?

We used a relocation agent, paid for and organised by DH's company.

Tbh, most of the work was done by the company - they helped set up the utilities, telephone etc. The relocation agent showed me houses on the househunting trip but most of them were houses that people from DH's company were moving out of so it was not a great feat for her to do that.

If you have to pay for it yourself, I would not bother.

Ask on MN for info, I see that Ernest has already offered help. You will get all the local knowledge here that you need.

Renting a house with a kitchen will seriously limit your choice but it is possible to find them.

Would you consider putting your stuff into temporary storage and renting a furnished apartment so that you can take your time looking for the right place?

Oh, and to opening bank accounts. Go to one of the local banks - the Sparkasse is semi-Government owned and has most branches and cash machines about the place. All Germans learn English in school and there will be at least one person in the branch who speaks English.

Seems there is quite a mixed response then...
I have now had some quotes for relocation, the absolute cheapest is Eur 1,600. Still dithering.
Have spent the last couple of days avidly searching on-line for a place myself, have found a fair few that look good (partly judging by zooming in on google earth to look at how much green space is nearby). Have to say I think we probably fit the bill of "totally clueless client", neither DH or I have ever privately rented anywhere before, even in the UK.

ErnesttheBavarian, I also have to admit that I don't actually know how to CAT another poster . Once I have worked it out I will probably start bombarding you with questions, so perhaps you are safer with me not knowing

I think you have to sign up to pay summat like a fiver to be allowed to. Mine has run out. alternatively, you can try emailing me on my name here (ErnestTheBavarian) at gmail.com. I think that works.

WHen are you coming over for a nose round? WHere are you right now?

Will email you tonight then Ernest

DH has just texted to say he has been offered a short term let (6 months) through a contact at his new job (no mention of price or size of apartment though!) in Trudering - so maybe we can just take that and then have a look for a longer term place once we get there.

Not sure yet when we will have time to come and have a look round (though I am desperate to!) DH and I both insanely busy at work atm, don't know when we will both be able to get away, so haven't even tried to book flight yet.

trudering only 10 minutes away from me

Have sent you an email Ernest

have replied