Deborah Fortkiewicz

Many realtors consider themselves relocation specialists and advertise themselves that way. A realtor can help with buying and selling a house and some other things associated with relocation, but an actual relocation specialist will be better suited to assist you with the complex issues surrounding relocation.
The Employee Relocation Council (ERC) recognizes the relocation professional as a position completely separate from the duties of a conventional realtor. The ERC consists of companies and people, some who are also realtors, who either relocate people directly or work with real estate companies. ERC defines a relocation professional as "a person who is knowledgeable about a large body of relocation issues up to and including the real estate industry, family issues, tax and legal issues, appraisals, and corporate relocation policies and issues, among others." The ERC offers the Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designation to those who meet certain requirements and pass a test.
Relocation specialists deal with all of the issues related to relocation, not just housing. There are often many issues involved in moving a family. Relocation specialists can help with temporary housing or getting children registered in a new school system. Various companies offer employees different options for relocation. Some will purchase the existing home or help with down payment on a new home. Some will arrange for all of the moving, from packing boxes to moving the family car. A relocation specialist will be required to know all of these policies in order to assist both the company and the employee with getting everything in order.
A relocation specialist can be of great help to an individual who needs to relocate. They can manage almost all of the aspects of the transition so the family can focus on some of the psychological issues that can arise.