Relocating for work can be an exciting but stressful time. It takes effort to find a home and move your family to a new city. You can make the process smoother if you plan your steps and timeline.
1. Sell Your Home
Real estate experts say it can take six to 12 months to sell your home. Putting it on the market happens in stages.
First, decide if you’re selling it yourself or hiring a real estate agent. Although agents receive a percentage of your sale price, they’re also market experts who can help you sell quickly and possibly bring you a higher bid.
Next, you need time to prep your home, which may include:
- Decluttering
- Implementing a neutral palette
- Making repairs
- Creating curb appeal
These steps can take three to six months depending on the work.
The selling process can take up to three months — houses spend an average of one to two months on the market and closing takes 30 to 45 days.
2. Choose a Location for Your New Home
Hopefully, you can research your new city before you move — online, in person, or both. It will help you:
- Find housing in your preferred neighborhood
- Determine what you can afford
- Figure out the commute and proximity to your workplace
- Learn more about the area’s schools
According to financial experts, it’s best to keep your mortgage payments below 25% of your monthly income. Going higher can leave you with debt if unplanned expenses crop up.
Once you know what you can spend on housing, plan a few visits to your new city to look at homes. Prioritize houses in your price range and preferred neighborhood. Say you’re looking for a home in Valley Glen, California. You learn the average home is $988,000 while the average rent is $1,750 per month. You can plan your search based on your current home’s sale price and your new income.
If you are self-employed, you should consider home office space. Look for an existing office, spare bedroom, or area you can convert. Being comfortable in your new office means you can maximize productivity.
It takes an average of 4 to 5 months to find a new home plus 30 to 45 days for closing. If you can’t find a home in time, you may need to rent during the interim.
3. Secure a Professional Moving Service
When moving day rolls around, you’ll have a million things to do. Hiring a professional moving company is an excellent way to lift some of your burdens. Full-service movers can even do the packing. Hiring movers lets you focus on your family and pets rather than worrying about whether your mattress is sliding out of the back of your pickup.
Contact local movers in your area if you need professional services. Ensure they are qualified to help with large furniture pieces. Before you meet with a company to discuss your requirements and get a quote, you can read online reviews on a trusted site like Angi. This time-saving step can help you stay on budget by showing which companies currently offer deals or credits.
Call the moving company at least four weeks before you move. The sooner you start, though, the better deal you can get.
While it takes work and preparation for relocating, your efforts can pay off with new beginnings and fresh opportunities for you and your family.
