A Week in the Life of a Relocation Agent including: London Schools Show + The Elite Show
Being a Relocation Agent means that no two weeks are the same and this is what we really love about the job. This week has been a particularly interesting one from networking at the London Elite Show in High Wycombe to visiting the Independent Schools Show in London.
Monday:
Mondays are always feedback day following viewings at the weekend. Today we spoke to agents in Amersham and Henley on Thames. The viewings had gone well and our clients were considering their options.
Chiltern Relocation was thrilled to recently find a rental property for a couple who were continually unsuccessful in securing a home feeling that they ‘were always the bridesmaid and never the bride’. Today we followed up with all the necessary paperwork including anti money laundering checks and passport checks.
A family who is relocating from USA needs a rental property and school places for their secondary school aged children. We have been working closely with admissions at various schools to find places. Next up is securing a rental property so Chiltern Relocation commenced the research.
Tuesday:
Visit the Independent Schools Show at The Hurlingham Club – a green oasis bordering The Thames in Fulham set in 42 acres of magnificent grounds. With 47 schools in attendance, it was an ideal opportunity to meet Headteachers and Heads of Admissions and get a feel for different schools. Many of the schools were London based but the Chilterns area was represented with Berkhamsted School and St Edwards Oxford.
‘What about school options?’ is the first question we are asked when relocating families, so it is important that Chiltern Relocation understands all available options. The Schools Show addressed three key areas for parents to consider: London Day schools, Prep Boarding and Senior Boarding.
The day was structured with an immersive talks programme designed to answer all the key 11+ and 13+ questions and the chance to meet staff at each of the school stands. This was an ideal opportunity for informal conversations surrounding polices, school ethos and admissions requirements.
Wednesday:
View potential properties for the relocating family from the USA. Chiltern Relocation had drawn up a short list and visited a number of houses (many prior to hitting the search engines) on their behalf. In these situations, we take photos and videos and upload them to the client. Sometimes we are able to work with time differences to view a property ‘together’ over Facetime. On one occasion this was achieved with Canadian clients at the side of an ice hockey rink. This was a particularly key viewing as the family virtually met the landlord who wanted to ‘meet’ potential tenants before agreeing anything.
Today’s viewings went well with finding a house on the bus route for the school of choice and close to Brook Green tube station for the needed Piccadilly tube line. We look forward to hearing feedback from the family.
Thursday:
One of our Canadian corporate clients got in touch today regarding upcoming relocations. In addition to specialising in finding properties in the Bucks, Berks, Herts and Oxfordshire regions, we also cater for UK-wide relocations.
Chiltern Relocation has an extensive nationwide network of relocation consultants who are able to conduct viewing days and add their local expertise to the search. The corporate client was keen for information regarding rental availability in the areas of Cheltenham, Cambridge, Swindon and Northwood.
We carried out research and delivered back our findings. Which will help the company with budget planning for Quarter three and four of 2022.
The rental market is very hot right now and finding rental accommodation is challenging. So to be in the no makes all the difference.
Friday:
The Elite London was on today’s agenda. Based at Wycombe Air Park the show celebrates all things elite. The exhibitor line-up is drawn from the world’s finest luxury brands from private jets to supercars to helicopters to luxury lifestyle companies such as clay pigeon shooting, classic cars, golfing specialists, spa treatments and home and lifestyle experts. At Chiltern Relocation we cater to a wide range of clients and budgets and it is always interesting to network at local events which cater to a wider audience. We connected with some really interesting homes and property experts.
My afternoon meeting was a world away from the morning’s events. I virtually met a Ukrainian refugee looking for a home. This was a joy at the end of a busy week. Keen to host a Ukrainian I was put in touch with a lady who escaped Ukraine with just a bag of belongings. We chatted online and understood her needs and what we could offer. The evening could not have been more different to my morning but this was a truly humbling end to the day and an incredibly interesting week.
