Relocation Specialists/agencies?

Out of curiosity, did any of you consider using a relocation specialist/agency? If my husband's job offer pans out, we'll likely be returning back to Glasgow sometime in December as we think he'll have a January 2013 start date. We want to leave the US and travel together to Glasgow, and we will be arriving with our 2 cats in tow. I don't want to rush finding a place because I want it to be as close to 'right' as it can be (I think the flat we had last year contributed greatly to our unhappiness), but yet we can't afford to take weeks to find a place because of the cats. We can't afford a hotel long term, and I refuse to board them for weeks while we find a place. I couldn't imagine how traumatized they would be to go from a plane trip into a cattery for who knows how long. Not to mention, we have a tight budget and can't afford £15 to £20/day to board them.

So we're thinking of looking into using a relocation agent to look at properties on our behalf, or perhaps my in-laws could look at them in our place, to see if we can have a place sorted before we arrived. Have any of you ever used one?

Hey Bluegrass Lass,

No idea about relocation specialists/agencies...but just wanted to say  a quick hello.  Didn't think you would make it back again. Good luck on the move.  did you get tired of the Bluegrass state?

Hello to you Brigette!

Oh, it's a long story, but let's just say that things haven't been as rosy here as we thought they would be. My OH contacted a former UK boss about being a reference, and instead it looks like they will be offering him a job. They've already discussed the position, the salary range, and now we are just waiting for a call from their HR person. It sounds pretty definite at this point, but we aren't celebrating until we have an offer in writing! 

I think location played a big part in our unhappiness last time, plus the fact that he was laid off from his first job (once he moved back to the UK), also greatly contributed to souring the experience. We're thinking of last year as our training run, and learning from what made us unhappy in order to make this stay a long term success.

Let's just say there are many reasons why I'm no longer happy with my home state. Politics and religion are playing a large part, which is fairly applicable to many parts of the US right now. Not to mention, I can't stand the heat here. I want the rainy & cool weather! 

I have the same question as the original poster.  We are moving with our dog and wondering if hiring a local agent to find the best long term flat lease in London is a good idea.  An alternative would be to find a hotel that allows dogs while searching for a flat.

Any thoughts or experience?

Thanks!