cybersecretary

Ok, she might think she would be wasting her time as we cant sign up yet. However, anyone know the possible reasons for this?

Background:

• L1 Visa application being expedited. Embassy interview likely within next 2 weeks.
  
• Family all fly out on 1 August.
  
• Relocation agency company wont even show us any houses without the visa being finalised.
  
• What I dont understand is that on a previous visit, we looked around loads of them, also OH spend a Saturday morning with agent, viewing houses in our preferred area. Obviously, the visa was not granted then.

Why the big switch around? Did the relocation agent make a boob in letting us view?

My view: look around now, make up short list having checked out schools. once visa granted, sign up immediately, therefore with luck, no need to stay in hotel for weeks.

Puzzled??????

Noorah101

Get another agent. There's no reason they shouldn't show you the homes. You don't even need a visa to buy a home, you can buy one while here on the VWP if you wanted to.

Rene

Elvira

Have you asked your husband's employer for help in getting this sorted?

Englishmum

Totally agree. She probably wants to have her Summer weekends as free as possible to spend time with her family and as far as she's concerned, you're wasting her time until she knows you have a commitment to becoming a resident in the US.

Nevertheless, if she was truly professional she would continue to show you properties (perhaps she's a part-timer? Many, many women are where I live and just do it for 'pin' money).

As Noorah says, anyone - even a non-US resident - can buy property in the States and I guess that perhaps she's previously had dealings with a potential expat applying for an H1 visa which never came through. Her commission is all she cares about.

Get another agent!

Elvira

But I thought the OP was referring to a relocation agent, not a realtor...

Are we talking renting or buying?

cybersecretary

sorry, i didnt clarify that, we are renting to start out. although the realtor i contacted direct said we had to go through the relocation agent. is there some weird law????? or would it just be that things go so quickly that there is no point looking before you have your visa?

Elvira

Realtors don't deal with rental properties.

Relocation agents are usually appointed by companies helping their important staff with moving, including finding a property to either rent or buy.

Not sure quite who you are dealing with, but may not be the best person for the job.

Has your husband's company appointed people moving from abroad before? If so, they should be able to point you to someone who is more clued up about L1s etc.

When are you moving? Bear in mind that if there is a college nearby and you're moving over the summer, and hoping to rent an apartment, you'll be competing with a lot of students.

cybersecretary

Hi there, there is a Uni closeish but not too close, maybe 15 miles away so prob not going to affect us. Have had an email back saying they will explain to the realtors what our situation is and should be able to get us some viewings.

Although the parent company is huge and has done many many overseas relcoations, the subsidiary hasnt and its been a bit of a struggle to get things going. Think we are in the position of being the guinea pigs.

I wouldnt give a rats arse about where we were living if we didnt have kids. Want house sorted so can get kids into preferred school in time for start of term in September. Bad enough being the newby, let alone starting the term late.

"Lucky" for them, I am pushy.

cybersecretary

UPDATE:

think whatever weird policy the relocation agency has been trying to put onto us, is now sorted out. Agent says will now be happy to show husband some houses next time he is over. Duh.

All we need to get sorted now is the visa ................. bit stressful getting all the timings set up and co-ordinated.

dh010447

So how long does it take from finding a place you like (which is available) to being able to move in? I am due to be in the US at the beginning of September - visa due mid-august. I have the option of going on a house hunting trip at some point - but how late should I leave it?

meauxna

Renting or buying?

dh010447

Sorry - forgot to mention, that would be renting. Not sure if it'll be an apartment or house yet though.

meauxna

When I advertise a rental, and it is available, that means you can move in the next day.
Note that there is a longer application period with 'corporate' type rentals.. maybe a week or so.

I like to sort of 'land' in a place before making a year-long commitment. It's typical to find the 'cool' neighborhood two days after signing that lease...

Do some advance research on craigslist to narrow down your search area.

cybersecretary

ta v much. have pretty much got an area we are interested in. OH already working out there so is doing research and drive bys.

dh010447

Thanks for that.

What is 'craigslist' though?