| 1. |
Not Having Enough Details & Demographics
About Your New Hometown |
| |
Gather as much information as possible about
your new destination, from sources such as the internet, Chamber
of Commerce newcomer packages, location magazines and your real
estate professional. |
| 2. |
Not Having Your Home Priced and Ready to Sell |
| |
Check your home thoroughly for all needed repairs
before listing it for sale. Pay attention to details such as gapped
caulking, chipped tiles, paint, etc... It's often these little things
that potential buyers will notice. Also, have the home professionally
cleaned, including carpets. If you haven't had your home appraised
in the last two years, do it before putting the home up for sale.
Also, have one or two real estate professionals give you a comparable
market analysis. This will show what other comparable homes in your
neighborhood have sold for recently. Over-pricing your home at the
outset will result in slow showings and a delay in selling. |
| 3. |
Poor Research of What Your Money Can Buy in
Your New City |
| |
Many factors such as differing salary, cost of
living, taxes and housing prices affect what the same dollar can
buy in different parts of the country. Resources such as the local
Chamber of Commerce, real estate professionals and neighborhood
reports can give you this information. |
| 4. |
Not Getting a Mortgage Prequalification Letter
Before House Hunting |
| |
While prequalifying with us doesn't provide final
loan approval, it does give you a realistic price guideline and
shows sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer. |
| 5. |
Not Protecting Yourself with the Best Home Inspection
Possible |
| |
This goes for both the home you're selling as
well as the one you're buying, although who pays for the inspection
(buyer or seller) is negotiable in each separate contract. A good
inspector should be a member of the ASHI (American Society of Home
Inspectors); bonded; licensed; insured; and able to provide references,
an up front quote of his/her fees and what is included (are termite
inspections extra, for example). Your real estate professional or
mortgage originator can recommend a certified inspection company. |
| 6. |
Setting Up the Best Interim Housing Between
Destinations |
| |
When you first arrive in your new town, you'll
most likely need to have temporary housing arrangements until you
can close and move into a new home or find a permanent rental. This
may be anywhere from a few days to a few months. If you foresee
needing interim housing for less than 30 days, the easiest option
is a suite hotel geared for extended stays. For a month or longer,
corporate apartments or homes are much roomier, more comfortable,
and usually 20-60% less than paying a daily or weekly hotel rate. |
| 7. |
Moving Your Household and Safely from Point
A to Point B |
| |
Depending on the size of your household and the
distance of the move, you may want to consider hiring a moving company.
Obviously, doing it yourself can save quite a bit of money; however,
the time factor, experience of professional movers and the insurance
they provide your contents may make hiring the better choice. Moving
companies can give you either a binding or non-binding estimate.
Binding means that the cost is held to exactly the estimate they
give; this means that they will actually physically inspect your
home before giving the estimate. A non-binding estimate is only
an approximation and no guarantee that the final billing won't be
more. However, federal law sets a ceiling of no more than 10% additional
charges over the estimate. You will also want a moving company that
can guarantee the pickup and delivery dates. |
| 8. |
Having a Trailing Spouse Who Needs to Relocate
into a New Job |
| |
In the year 2000, 65% of all households had two
incomes, creating a significant burden when losing one income as
a result of relocation. 27% of companies provide spouse employment
assistance; if yours is one of them, take advantage of it. If not,
try to begin establishing a network before you arrive, contacting
any friends or acquaintances in your new city; subscribing to the
newspaper; contacting recruiters, placement firms and career counselors;
contacting the chamber of commerce and employment commission; and
joining organizations, especially networking ones. If a job still
hasn't been landed by move time, consider volunteering or joining
a temporary agency. Great full time careers have been started from
both. |
| 9. |
Finding the Best New Schools for Your Children |
| |
Concerns about family and children is the second
most frequently cited reason for reluctance to move. There are many
ways to find out all the information you need to make a wise decision.
If you haven't decided on a particular area of town, the chamber
of commerce can give you a wealth of statistics on all local school
districts, as well as private schools. Using the internet can also
provide excellent information. If you have decided on a particular
area, your real estate professional can get you a school district
information package. |
| 10. |
Concerns Over Your Children Making a Smooth
Transition |
| |
In addition to educational concerns, we also
worry about the emotional effects of a major move on our children.
They may be resisting the move; may even be angry. Will they adapt
well? Will they make new friends? Probably the best way to ease
the way is to involve the kids in the move. Provide them with the
same information about your new town that you have. Rent or buy
videos about your destination to watch as a family. There are also
many excellent books geared to children of all ages. |
