Our take, at a glance
Start with YEB if personal housing guidance and off-market contacts are your priority. Compare EHN for renting and buying, and Jimble or Expat Help for a broader move. YEB also has client, HR and partner portals. Compare Settly if your employer needs its advertised HR integrations and expense tools.
Written by YEB. We explain our strengths and where another option may fit better.
Keep the reason you considered Relocify
Relocify emphasises remote home searching and virtual viewings. If avoiding travel is what attracted you, make that a requirement for every alternative. Ask how you will see a property, give feedback and handle the handover.
Do not assume a website’s viewing promise answers every practical question. Find out who visits, what you receive afterwards, whether you can ask follow-up questions, and what happens if you want to proceed.
Your Expat Butler: personal support around the rental search
Our recommendation is YEB when you want direct communication and a team handling the steps around the home search. We arrange video viewings when you are abroad, prepare applications, discuss proposals and help you understand the lease.
We also work through contacts with agents, landlords and investors, alongside public opportunities. That gives your search another route to suitable homes. It does not guarantee an off-market result. Read the full YEB vs Relocify comparison for the practical differences.
Other housing specialists worth comparing
Expat Housing Network advertises renting and buying. If a purchase is part of your longer-term plan, include it in your discussions.
Use the same property brief for each conversation. Ask about location coverage and the full cost of the search. Avoid comparing a rental-search quote with a purchase-service fee or a broader move-management package.
When you need more than housing
Jimble and Expat Help advertise broader relocation services. Settly advertises HR integrations and expense tools alongside relocation services. YEB also has portals for clients, HR teams and partners, so compare the actual tools and help your move needs.
If your employer already has a relocation agreement, first check which tasks it covers. Adding a second search service without coordinating the scope can create duplicate instructions and unnecessary costs.
You can also run the search yourself
A self-managed search on Funda and Pararius is a valid option when you have the time and confidence to manage applications and appointments. It avoids commissioning a search agent, although optional platform services and other move costs remain separate.
The choice is practical. Decide which tasks you want to do yourself and which ones would benefit from a local team. Then ask for support that matches that division of work.
Compare the full quote, not just the headline fee
Our individual search fee depends on the assignment and is discussed in the free consultation. Compare written quotes for the same city, household and level of help. A broader relocation package and a housing-only search are different purchases.
Ask what is included, whether VAT is included, when payment is due, what happens if the search stops, and which costs belong to third parties. Also confirm how many viewings are covered, who attends them, and whether help continues after you receive the keys. The useful comparison is the total cost of the help you will actually use.
How your search works with us
From the first consultation to key handover, your team guides you through each stage of your home search.
Agree your search requirements
We discuss your budget, preferred locations, moving date and housing needs. We set up a WhatsApp group with your team for daily communication, questions and updates.
Review matches in your client portal
We send suitable homes to your client portal, including off-market opportunities when available. Indicate which properties you like, and we request viewings on your behalf.
Attend a viewing with us or remotely
Choose whether to attend the viewing with us or follow remotely. If you cannot be there, we record videos or arrange a FaceTime call to help you assess the property.
Discuss your proposal strategy
If you would like to proceed, we discuss the proposal strategy together and help prepare your application. The landlord makes the final decision.
Settle into your new city
We explain the lease, support key handover and offer practical guidance on your new city. Our support continues with aftercare as you settle in, including local recommendations for a good stroopwafel.
For partners and HR teams, too
We also have a partner portal and a portal for HR teams. Ask us for a walkthrough to see how they fit your move or your employees’ housing searches.
Ask for a portal walkthroughCommon questions
Is there an alternative that searches remotely?
Yes. YEB arranges video viewings for clients abroad. Confirm the viewing, feedback and handover process for your assignment.
Should I use two search agencies at once?
Check the agreements and coordinate responsibilities before doing so. Duplicate applications or unclear instructions can complicate a search. Ask each provider how it handles this situation.
Which alternative should I consider for renting and later buying?
Expat Housing Network advertises both rental and purchase support. Explain your longer-term plans and ask whether the two services involve separate assignments, teams or fees.
Which options cover more than the housing search?
Jimble and Expat Help advertise broader relocation services. Settly also offers employee relocation services and HR tools. Compare the tasks you need covered, especially if your employer already has arrangements in place.
How does YEB combine personal support with online tools?
We send home matches to your client portal and request viewings for properties you like. Daily communication takes place in a WhatsApp group. YEB also has portals for HR teams and partners.
Is searching myself a reasonable alternative?
Yes, if you have the time and confidence to manage listings, viewings, applications and follow-up. Funda and Pararius are useful starting points. Identify which tasks you can handle and where you might want local help.
How should I compare the costs of the alternatives?
Use the same location, household, timing and service requirements for every quote. Check the total scope, VAT and separate costs. A rental search, purchase service and broader relocation package cover different work.
Sources & approach
We reviewed the providers’ public service pages. This is a YEB-authored comparison, not an independent market-share ranking or a mystery-shopping test. Where a service is not clearly described, we ask you to confirm it rather than label it unavailable.
YEB’s figure of 1,400 expats helped is company-reported as of September 2026. Service details and statistics were reviewed on 15 September 2026; source years are stated where relevant.
- Relocify: remote home search and virtual viewings
- Expat Housing Network: services, reach and experience
- Jimble: relocation services for individuals and companies
- Expat Help: relocation, immigration and housing
- Settly: employee relocation services
- Settly: HR platform, integrations and reporting
- Your Expat Butler: housing search, viewings and aftercare
- Your Expat Butler: off-market expertise
