The Relocation Process
Congratulations on landing your new job! It’s now time to begin planning your move. Use the following timeline to help streamline your relocation, making it as easy and stress-free as possible.
First things first: if you need to sell your current home, now is the time to start getting it ready for market. Call your real estate agent in January and have them come over for a walk-thru of the property. This will give the agent an idea of what improvements should be made to the house to make it market-ready.
Though most buyers start searching in the spring, market fluctuations are always occurring, and current conditions should help to determine when to list your home. Relocation from one home to the next can be a delicate balancing act—you never want to be carrying two mortgages, especially in two different cities. Your real estate agent can help you try to avoid this financial pit-fall.
4 months prior to relocation:
Regardless of whether you’re planning to rent or own, you should create a list of exactly what you are looking for in a property. This should include both things that you consider necessities, as well as secondary desires that aren’t absolutely imperative. Make your list as detailed as possible as it will help save you valuable time in the home search process.
Once you’ve made your list, contact a real estate agent in the city in which you’ll soon reside. Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions about your new town (e.g. school districts, hospital/office commuting times, parks, recreational activities, weather, etc.)
HomeRounds, along with your Real Estate Agent, will help you begin your mortgage search. It’s always a good idea to be pre-qualified prior to looking, as this knowledge will save you time by helping you limit your search to only the homes you can afford. Always stay within your price-range; far too often people purchase homes at the peak of their price range without recognizing that it will end up greatly affecting their quality of life. For more detailed information, please see Mortgage Assistance.
Lastly, look at your work/call schedule for the next few of months and try to set aside two or three weekends for travel to your new location. If you have children, try to secure childcare for your first couple of trips as it will make your home/apartment search and viewings much easier. If you want to include children in the home search process, I would wait until you have narrowed your search to a few places.
3 months prior to relocation:
At this point your real estate agent should be routinely sending you listings via email. Be very clear and descriptive with your feedback as this will better guide him/her towards your preferred type of home.
When it comes time to travel for the first time to your new location, have an open mind as location and floor plan preferences can often change. Set up a schedule of events with your agent to maximize your search time. It’s not likely that you will find something you love on your first visit. Don’t get discouraged—there’s still plenty of time!
2 months prior to relocation:
Anything can happen at this exciting time. If you’ve yet to find a home, don’t panic. Be patient and continue your search—never settle on something you don’t love simply because the clock is ticking. Once you’ve found a home, it usually takes about one month to close on the property, but in certain circumstances it can be done in as little as two weeks. It’s a good idea to wait until after the home inspection and contract re-negotiation to start packing your belongings. There is more information on closing procedures in the Contract-to-Close article.
If you’re hiring movers, you need to get an estimate for the total cost of your relocation. Remember to ask questions and make sure that the quote you receive is equal to the final amount, even after taxes, mileage, fuel, extra hours, etc.
1 month prior to relocation:
Ideally, you’ll want to close on your new home during the final days of the month prior to your move. If you’re a resident you may only have a few days from the time you finish school/residency until the time you begin your new job. Even those on more lax schedules can become overwhelmed with stress during relocation. Simply do your best to remain calm and focus on the task at hand.
As you begin to start packing up your personal belongings, make sure to label the boxes clearly. If your current house is still on the market, it’s best to keep the boxes hidden away, or even place them in a temporary storage unit. Never take your house off the market simply because you need to pack.
1 day prior to closing:
Regardless of whether you’re loading your own truck or hiring movers, plan to be completely out of your old house by the day before closing. Because home closings can sometimes get pushed back a day or so, be prepared by packing enough personal belongings to last you through a short hotel stay. Make sure you have all of the necessary documents required to close, if any, as well as a certified check made out to the closing company.
Day of closing:
Though it’s not always required, you may opt to have a real estate attorney at your closing. If this is your preference, your real estate agent can assist you in finding a reputable lawyer.
Last, but certainly not least, sign the documents and enjoy your new home!!!
