As an employer in the healthcare industry, you know that getting top talent isn't just about offering a great salary and benefits package. When your new hire is moving with their family, finding the right home is a big deal.
By offering real estate support and hyper local guidance in their housing search, you can make the transition easier and more appealing. Here’s how you can help your employees find a home that fits their family’s needs.
Finding the Right Fit: 4 Essential Factors
Every family has different housing priorities, but some factors are pretty universal for healthcare professionals relocating with families. Here’s how you can guide your employees through this important decision:
1. The Local Housing Markets
U.S. housing markets vary w-i-d-e-l-y. For example, in Decatur, Illinois, the median home value is $92,200; in San Jose, California, it’s $1,475,000 (that’s 16x higher!).
That’s why it’s critical to encourage your employees to understand the home values of where they’re coming from and where they’re headed. This will help set realistic expectations and assist in prioritizing their housing needs.
2. School Quality
For many parents, the search for housing starts by identifying the top schools. Encourage your employees to start by focusing on measurable factors like test scores, reputation, class size, budget, academic and extracurricular offerings—then add specific qualities that matter to them.
3. Community Character
Help your employees land in a community where their family feels comfortable, safe and welcome. Suggest they research local amenities (i.e., recreation, entertainment, dining), the locals’ age and demographics, churches, community events, crime statistics—and again, whatever matters to them.
This stands true on the neighborhood level, too. Are there other families with kids the same age? Parks? Block parties? What’s the overall vibe?
4. Proximity/Location
Work-life balance is crucial for healthcare professionals, so it is essential for your employees to think about their tolerance for commuting when choosing a home location. Encourage them to factor distance and commuting time into their decision-making—not just to work, but to schools, shopping and activities, too.
Scoping the Scene: 5 Key Resources
1. Neighborhood Scout
Neighborhood Scout offers the most comprehensive database of hyper-local real-estate data available. Its detailed neighborhood profiles cover housing, schools, demographics, crime rates and more, sparing your employee hours of random web searching.
Good news! As an UrbanBound client, your employees will have full access to Neighborhood Scout via the UrbanBound platform.
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2. Great Schools
GreatSchools.org is the leading nonprofit providing essential school information. Its publicly available website covers rankings, reviews and test scores for schools nationwide. And if that’s not enough, find additional educational resources here.
3. Successful, Specialized Real-Estate Agents
Not all real-estate agents have the same strengths. Look for one who specializes in relocation and the neighborhood. Not only will they know how to help you make a wise housing decision from afar, they have the know-how to facilitate long-distance transactions smoothly.
When working with UrbanBound, your employees can leverage our network of pre-screened real-estate agents. We only work with agents who specialize in relocation and have proven track records working with healthcare professionals.
4. Future Coworkers
Your employees’ soon-to-be colleagues already know the most-commutable, family-friendly neighborhoods, plus local info. Facilitate introductions in advance of their move, allowing them to gather local information directly from those who know the area best.
Co-Worker Insights on the UrbanBound platform is packed with valuable advice provided by colleagues who’ve walked the relocation path in the past and provides relocating employees with relatable advice from their fellow colleagues.
5. Local Sources
Once your employees have narrowed their search down to a town or two, they may want to dig a little deeper. For example, they might search for Facebook groups dedicated to their chosen area or join the local Nextdoor community.
In addition, suggest they call the local city/town hall to ask if there’s a welcome packet, as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. Chances are, they’ll load your employees up with good information about local businesses, services and events—all which will help you employees and their family acclimate more quickly.
Conclusion
Helping your healthcare employees find the right housing for their families might seem like a big task, but with the right guidance and resources, it can be an exciting adventure. By supporting their housing search, you’re making their relocation experience better and your organization more attractive and supportive. At UrbanBound, that’s what we’re all about. Learn more here.
