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| One of the earliest steps in the relocation process is becoming familiar with the local housing market in your destination, so that you can make informed decisions about where to buy, and what type of housing you can get for your money. Finding and buying a home can be a risky and complicated endeavor if you are not well-informed about the choices available to you, even when you are moving within the local area you are already familiar with. |
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Couple this with a relocation to an entirely new city - possibly with a new
job, family concerns and a new lifestyle - and it could be the single most important
decision you will make. The
expertise of a professional, experienced Relocation Realtor® is highly
advisable.
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How To Select A Realtor
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Because a Realtor® can be a virtual goldmine of information about the
area, schools, taxes, local housing values and trends, etc., select an agent well before
you arrive in your destination - even if you don't plan to purchase for several
months. Finding a Realtor® who is certified, experienced and involved in the
relocation industry is very important, because he or she will understand that your most
important need initially is information-gathering. The Realtor® will know that you need
detailed information on neighborhoods, amenities, schools, and local housing prices before
you can even begin to decide where you will narrow your search for a home.
If you are
not selective in demanding a Realtor® experienced in relocation, you could end up with a
more inexperienced or even part-time agent who may want to jump right into the
home-showing phase before you've even gotten your toe acclimated to the water! Before you
talk to your Realtor®, it is a good idea to define what's really important to you in a
home and neighborhood. Ask yourself these questions:
1)
Do we prefer a rural or city setting?
2) What recreational facilities are important to us?
3) How far am I willing to be from work?
4) Is access to public transportation or school buses important?
5) What type of housing is our ideal - single family home, townhome, condominium, country
home?
6) What type of rooms do we need? How many living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms?
7) What are our future needs? Is our family growing or will children be nearing
adulthood? Do we foresee needing a home office or would we like to have space for a
pool?
8) What is the difference between the average home price in my current town, and the average in my destination? What will the same dollar buy - more or less? What about cost of living other than housing? Factor in any difference in your salary or income that the move will bring.
9) What loan amount do we qualify for? What monthly payment is comfortable for us? Will we have any trouble qualifying? (for more information on loans, see our Mortgage page.)
Armed
with this information, a good relocation Realtor® will be able to provide you all the
information you need ahead of your move, to prepare you to begin looking and find the best
home in your new town!
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