Human Resources Management Division

XI. Commercial Relocation Services Available

Commercial relocation services (RSC) include assistance in locating and buying homes, mortgage finding assistance, and the purchase of your home by a contractor. You may transfer using all of these contractor services or choose to select only those services you need, at no cost to you. If you select the Home Purchase Service, the other services will also be provided by the commercial relocation services contractor if you desire.

Indicate on the enclosed Transfer Questionnaire (FNM-38D) whether or not you want NRCS to provide commercial relocation services to you. If you decide to use relocation services to purchase your home, you may delay initiation of relocation services for up to six months with written justification acceptable to your new administrative officer (i.e., your spouse is under contract to teach school). If you decide not to use relocation services you cannot be provided these services for this same move at a later date.

The following NRCS employees are not eligible for commercial relocation services by a contractor:

• New Federal appointees, including new appointees to shortage category positions and persons from the private sector appointed to Senior Executive Service positions, and presidential appointees.
• NRCS employees assigned under the Government Employees Training Act.
• NRCS employees assigned or transferred to or from a post of duty in a foreign area.

Certain homes do not qualify for commercial relocation services. They are homes that are not insurable, homes that contain urea formaldehyde foam insulation, mobile homes, houseboats and cooperatives.

Employees who accept commercial relocation services (Home Purchase) are limited to a maximum of 30 days temporary quarters for themselves and their families.

Services Available

Home Purchase Service

A commercial relocation company will make an offer to purchase your residence for its appraised market value as determined by independent market appraisals. You must independently market your home (with a RSC broker or your independent broker). You may decline the relocation company's offer and be paid for the subsequent sale expenses of your home under regular direct real estate transaction rules (see section X). However, you will not be paid for any duplicate charges (i.e., inspection fees, appraisal fees, etc.) that NRCS already paid to the commercial relocation company so that they could make their offer to you that you declined.

Home Finding Assistance

The commercial relocation company will provide you and your family individual counseling services to familiarize you with the real estate market (including rental properties), schools, taxes, commuting life, etc. at your new duty station.

Home Marketing Assistance

The commercial relocation company will aid you in selecting a real estate broker, establishing a realistic listing price and marketing strategy for your home, and coordinating your marketing efforts with the company's home purchase service.

Mortgage Finding Assistance

The commercial relocation company will provide information on the types and availability of mortgage financing and your qualification requirements for the type of home you are seeking at your new duty station.

If you or a member of your immediate family do not hold full title to your property, the fee charged by the relocation company will be prorated based on the your actual title interest plus your equitable title interest in the residence. NRCS will pay only the portion attributable to you and your family. You must also pay a prorated portion of the fee for any part of your home that is used as income-producing property. Any part of the fee under these rules which must be paid by a non NRCS employee will be deducted from that person's equity at settlement, or must be paid by you at settlement to provide clear title to the property you are selling.

Your increased income taxes that result from the transfer expenses that NRCS pay directly to you will be reimbursed to you by NRCS in accordance with the FTR, Part 302-17. Payment made for a fee by NRCS to a commercial relocation company which purchases your home is not considered income to you, so no income tax liability will result to you for this type transaction. However, you are responsible for your own taxes on any capital gain resulting from the sale of your home.

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