Residential Properties Ltd. Director of Relocation Elizabeth R. Messier last month was elected to the National Advisory Council of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network.
Messier, who has held her current position for nine years, spoke with Providence Business News about how the Internet and the current recession have changed the relocation business.
PBN: What is your role as the director of relocation at Residential Properties? Why call a relocation specialist instead of picking a Realtor from the phonebook?
MESSIER: As a company, Residential Properties is dedicated to providing insight and expertise in all aspects of real estate and relocation. As a relocation division, our goal is to provide one-stop shopping – offering a wide range and variety of relocation services to individuals, families and corporations in the local, national and international real estate markets. As partners with our trained relocation agents, we continually strive to be recognized as the premier relocation company in our state with a service goal of consistently meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers. As director of relocation, my function is to serve as the point of contact and facilitator of services for our corporate clients and to oversee my team of relocation counselors and relocation agent specialists in the delivery of our services.
Corporations looking to attract and hire candidates and individuals moving to our state are better served by utilizing the services of a relocation department. We look at the whole picture, focusing on “lifestyle” first – finding the right community that delivers the experience the client is looking for and then helping them find just the right home. Our relocation counselors work together with the client to coordinate all aspects of their move, both at the departure and destination locations. No detail is too small – we are here to assist before, during and after the move. And best of all, when working with a Residential Properties relocation agent, the services of our relocation counselors are free.
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PBN: Some of your work is corporate – what role do you play in corporate moves and how has that role changed in the decade that you’ve been with Residential?
MESSIER: Our goal is to help our corporate clients sell the state as a quality place to live and to serve as a resource for the prospective employee by providing whatever information is needed to assist in the decision process. As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World real estate and relocation network, we are able to offer full-service relocation at both the old and the new destination, including such services as community information packages, area tours, movement of household goods, home sale and home buy services, cost of living information and more.
With the changing economy over the past decade, corporations are spending less and offering fewer benefits to new hires relocating to our state. Working with relocation experts to help sell the state and integrating the many free relocation services offered not only helps in attracting quality candidates, but helps keep costs within budget.
PBN: Could you tell me about working with the medical community?
MESSIER: Residential Properties has been selected by U.S. Medical Specialties, a national health care consulting firm and service network, as Rhode Island’s only M.D. Preferred real estate provider. This distinction, awarded to fewer than 100 real estate companies nationally, recognizes our experience and commitment to serving the unique needs and demands of today’s busy physicians. Available to the medical community, we provide special financing programs and many other relocation benefits to practicing and graduating physicians.
PBN: Has your role as a relocation specialist changed with the evolution of Residential’s Web site?
MESSIER: My role hasn’t changed – in that our department continues to offer assistance before, during and after the relocation process, serving as a guide and selling the Rhode Island lifestyle. The Web site has changed the way in which we relate to and make contact with the client. And everything happens more quickly. Statistics show that 96 percent of consumers begin their home search online. We understand that the client wants to drive the process and reach out to us when ready. Our interactive Web site is designed to allow the consumer to do just that.
Our customers can not only search our Web site for homes, but can also request moving estimates, apply for a mortgage, get pre-approved, set up a bank account, obtain school and community information and more – all online. Everything is in one place, accessible by clicking the “Moving to RI” or “Client Services” tabs in the top navigation of our Web site.
When clients are ready for personal assistance, they can easily contact us by making a call, sending an e-mail or chatting online.
PBN: You have recently been elected to the National Advisory Council of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. What’s your role in that organization?
MESSIER: Leading Real Estate Companies of the World is a network of more than 700 of the top independent real estate companies across the United States and internationally. Their National Advisory Council is a leadership group of the top relocation directors, who offer their talent and feedback to the LeadingRE management team and mentor other member relocation professionals. We also serve as ambassadors for the network, regarding the various tools and benefits available to members. I am honored to have been selected and will represent our Northeast members until June of 2012.
