Pat Fenn

Check out the new event being offered by the Occoquan River Communities. On July 27^th at three major locations on the Occoquan River a day of events are planned for everyone. You can stop by Occoquan Regional Park to see an authentic 1800's Oyster Boat or take a river taxi to Belmont Bay to tour the 65 foot American Spirit Schooner.

The Town of Occoquan will have historic craft demonstrations and a Taste of Occoquan with 9 different restaurants participating. Each venue will have food and some locations will have live bands. In addition to what is happening at the river communities you will also be able to get a sneak peak at the new Lorton Workhorse Arts Center at the old Lorton Prison grounds.

This is the first event that the new non-profit Occoquan River Communities group is planning and you don't want to miss it. So check out the full schedule at the new Occoquan River Communities website and watch for the signs on Route 123 South and Route 1 South to direct you to the event.

See you there!

As a relocation specialist one of the things that we watch is the trends for major relocation hot spots. Where are employees headed within or outside of the U.S? Currently the popular relocation hot spots include; Boston MA, Paris France, Los Angeles, CA, Korea and Washington DC. With more companies opening or maintaining facilities overseas we expect to see the trend for foreign relocations to grown.

Something new that we are seeing in relocation packages for employees is companies offering to cover a percentage of employee's loss on the value of their homes. The average cost to move an employee comes in around $60,000 and with the rough housing market in many locations the cost for employee relocation programs is growing. Some companies do buy the homes of employees they have requested to move but more and more are limiting that benefit to executive level employees.

So expect to see additional changes in relocation packages as the housing market slow down effects employees ability to sell their homes.

Our phones are starting to ring with clients who have just learned that a move to a new location is in the air. Getting ready to move no matter how prepared you are, is difficult. So here are a few tips that might help you get started with the process.

The #1 Tip is PURGE. Start with all of those magazines that are lying around. If there is one article that you want to keep out of the entire magazine cut it out and scan it to your computer or a disc. Go through the closets and clean out the clothes, shoes, coats that you know you won't need at your new location or haven't worn in a long time.

#2-IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. Make sure all of your important papers are secure in one location. It is amazing the number of times that you will get to your new location and not be able to find immunization records, birth certificates, bank and investment documents. I recommend that you consider making a scanned disc of all of your papers as a backup to the paper files.

#3-PACK AN EMERGENCY KIT. The first night in a new home is usually chaotic. Surrounded by boxes and trying to find that one item you really need is impossible. Pack one box and clearly label it as the EMERGENCY KIT. Inside you need toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, non perishable snacks, set of sheets and small hardware kit.

Once you know your exact moving date you can start going room by room and organizing items so that when the moving company arrives to pack that you will have like items together and can clearly label each room and the key items in each box.

More information on making a smooth move.

If you work for a company that provides relocation services then chances are they have called me or someone with a job similar to mine to help with the process. Many larger companies have relocation services to assist their business which are staffed with licensed real estate agents to help during your move.

Part of that assistance includes finding you a Realtor® both at your current location and at your new location as well. Our job isn't to show you houses but we do understand all about relocation and how difficult it might be for you and your family. We are here to be a conduit to help find you the right person with the local area knowledge and expertise wherever you are going.

Over time we develop relationships with Realtor's® across the county and learn to know who is responsive to our clients, who knows the area well and who meets the requirements set by our corporate clients. Most of the time our only chance to meet the other agents is through phone screening, talking with their brokers and checking references. If an agent works with us once and the clients are happy then chances are we are going to call that agent again the next time the company has a move to another location.

We don't rack up awards to put on our walls, we don't get to be #1 in the press, our only accolades are knowing that if your move is successful and you get settled easily in your new location that we have done a good job. So if your company has asked you to take on a new assignment and they have a relocation company that works with them, don't worry, the agent on the other end is just like me. Looking out for your best interests and doing all we can to help you make a smooth transition to your new home.

Within walking distance of the new Lorton Station shops and resturants these listings offer buyers the opportunity to live close to everything. Want to grab the VRE to work in the morning? No problem take 2 block walk and grab a cup of coffee along the way at the Daily Grind. Did you remember on the VRE ride home that the refridgerator is empty? Not to worry you have a choice of 6 different resturants right in the town center.

So if you are interested in learning more about this terrific little urban center give me a call. I'll be glad to tell you more.

All data from MRIS January 2008.