The Biggest Relocation Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them
Moving to a new community or city can be very exciting, but it can also be very stressful if you haven’t made proper plans. There are lots of things to consider and figure out before you make your move in order to ensure that things go smoothly.
Make the right move by avoiding these six big relocation mistakes.
Not Fully Researching Your New Neighborhood
Whatever your reason for relocating from one home to another, it’s always important to scope out the neighborhood prior to buying. You researched and analyzed the home from top to bottom so why wouldn’t you do the same with the neighborhood it’s in? You might find a home that’s got all the features you’re looking for, but if it’s located in a less-than-desirable community, in the end you’ll be miserable.
Look into the new community and see what amenities it has to offer. Research the schools, level of safety, the cost of living, property taxes, and housing prices.
Not Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
This will come in quite handy when it comes time to putting in an offer on a new house. Sellers typically like to see that a potential buyer has already been working with a mortgage specialist, and are more willing to negotiate with a person with some buying power.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will also help you identify what you can afford, and help you narrow down your housing choices. There’s no point looking for homes in the $500,000 price range if you can only afford something at the $300,000 price point.
Not Getting Your Home Ready to Show
You might already know where you’re going, and have even put in an offer on a new house. Now you’ve got to sell your current home, but before you plant a ‘For Sale’ sign on your front lawn, you need to get your home ready for showing. Make sure you complete any necessary minor or major repairs, such as scuff marks on the walls, chipped tiles, loose cabinet knobs, or leaky faucets.
Get rid of clutter, and make sure the floors and carpets are clean and stain-free. Neutralize your home by painting over any loud colors or replacing eccentric decor. Stage your home by making sure it’s furnished and decorated nicely – having your home presented in a visually appealing manner can go a long way at impressing potential buyers and helps them visualize themselves in your home.
Lastly, make sure you have a comparable market analysis conducted by a real estate professional to make sure your home is listed at a competitive price.
Not Identifying the Possibility of Needing Temporary Housing
If your current home closes before you’re ready to move into your new house, you’re going to have to stay somewhere. Whether you have family or friends that are able to take you in for this temporary time period, or choose to stay in an extended-stay hotel until your new house closes, setting up temporary housing arrangements beforehand can save you a lot of headaches and stress.
If you need housing for more than a month, you might want to look into a unit that offers a short-term lease. And don’t forget about all of your belongings – they’ll need to be stored somewhere in the interim.
Waiting Until the Last Minute to Book a Mover
Especially during busy moving times of the year, you’d be well-advised to look into movers at least a couple of months before the big day. The best movers tend to get booked up early on, so you don’t want to miss your window of opportunity to snag a reputable moving company. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a less experienced mover with a questionable reputation.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get some quotes from different moving companies. Don’t settle on the lowball quotes either – anyone who gives you a quote that’s 30% lower than other quotes is probably scamming you. You’ll get a cheap quote now, but then extra charges here and there start to pile up, leaving you with a final bill that’s more expensive than the quotes you received from other movers.
Not Using a Professional Real Estate Agent
Buying and selling a home is a complicated endeavor, and one you shouldn’t go alone. Your best bet is to team up with a professional real estate agent to help you find a home that matches your exact needs. You’ll save yourself a ton of time, energy and stress by having an experienced expert do the legwork for you.
Relocating to a new community is a big moment. Every decision needs to be made with careful consideration, and with consultation from industry experts. With the help of a real estate agent, you’ll have access to all the pertinent information you’ll need to make sure this significant move is the right one.
