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Buying a new home can be stressful enough. Now, throw in moving to an entirely new city or state, it can be downright scary. The details that go into a major move can be challenging, but with the right help and information, it can be a little easier. To help you get started on how to handle your long-distance move, here are some tips on where to focus your attention.
Use a Local Real Estate Agent
While you should never house-hunt on your own, it’s even more important to use a local real estate agent when you’re house hunting long-distance. Real estate agents will be able to give you the ins and outs of the community, allowing you to make an informed decision.
When it comes to selecting the right real estate agent, you’ll want to choose someone who understands your unique needs with a long-distance move and is very knowledgeable about the local housing market. Take your time researching local agents. Read through client reviews, take a look at their website, and review their social media platforms.
As a Dallas real estate agent, I understand when it comes to long-distance house hunting, time is of the essence. I’ll be happy to tour any houses that come on the market ahead of time to determine if it meets your needs. If you are moving out of the Dallas area, I can connect you with an agent in your new city.
Researching the Community
Moving to a new community is scary; that’s why it’s so important to do lots of research before deciding on the right area.
If you’re moving for a new job, research the city and the surrounding communities to figure out where the best location may be for your new home. Things to consider include commute time to work, school district rankings, and the crime rate.
Depending on what your lifestyle needs are, you’re also going to want to research the local amenities. How close will you be to dining, shopping and entertainment, does the area have great local transit if you don’t have a car, are there churches in the area that match your needs?
As you research the community and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible, your house hunting experience will be made simple.
Know Your Budget
Through your research, you’ll get a good idea of what the cost of living will be in your new city. By knowing your budget, that research can be cut down more because you’ll be able to weed out the areas that you cannot afford. Before you start house hunting, it’s always a good idea to get pre-approved through a mortgage lender.
When you’re making a long-distance move, it can be hard to know what you can and cannot afford in a house when you’re unfamiliar with what the average home for sale cost. Don’t let yourself fall in love with a community that is out of your budget.
Plan a Visit to the Community
While researching will give you an idea of what it’s like to live in your new community, it can only be so revealing. To get a much better idea of what it will be like in your new home, I strongly recommend planning 1-2 visits. The first visit should be to meet with your chosen local real estate agent to tour various neighborhoods and houses. The second, to really familiarize yourself with the community and everything it has to offer.
If you’re moving with children, depending on their ages, it may be better to wait until the second trip to bring them, allowing yourself to get familiar and excited about the new area first. For older kids, it may be hard to leave their friends behind. By finding areas that also match their interest, it’ll help them get excited about this life change.
In addition to house hunting, make sure you take time to dine out at local restaurants, explore transportation options, and check out local retail stores. By planning a couple of trips, you’ll get peace of mind knowing you made the right selection.
Hire a Moving Company
You have enough details to worry about, why not let a moving company take some of the stress off your plate. Not only will they be able to help with heavy lifting, but they’ll be able to transport your items for you easily. If hiring a moving company is not in your budget, consider using a portable moving container such as PODS. There are pros and cons to using either a moving company or a moving container. Whichever route you decide meets your needs, I can connect you with my network of vendors to help you get a great rate.
