Relocating? Avoid These Common Mistakes
A relocation, a move, a change of residence. The name doesn’t matter nor the reason, the process is typically very stressful and expensive. It doesn’t have to be that way. As a full-service real estate consultancy, Raiders Relocators has facilitated many successful and smooth moves for families, individuals, and businesses.
In this post, we share the most common relocation mistakes that can be avoided easily. Whether you are part of California’s Bay Area exodus to the Las Vegas metro area to follow the Oakland Raiders move to Henderson, are in search of better employment opportunities, or looking to pay less in taxes, moving to a new area doesn’t have to be a stressful chore.
Not in any particular order, here are three common mistakes to avoid when relocating.
Doing it DIY Style
You’ve heard the stories of homeowners who thought they’d save a couple of hundred dollars by fixing that electrical issue themselves only to end up spending thousands more than they needed to by not calling a professional from the get-go.
Relocation is like that. It’s far more cost effective to hire seasoned professionals familiar with the markets of the home you are selling and/or renting out and the one where you are purchasing. Also, professionals have contacts and networks with insider knowledge on neighborhoods, school districts, zoning and planning, and community services.
Selling one’s own home is similar to attorneys representing themselves: Both have fools for clients.
Only Counting Dollars and Cents
Oftentimes, a job is the reason a person relocates, so the location is not up for discussion. Retirement is another reason many people move, giving them the option to choose the location. In both instances, it’s usually a bean-counter decision on the new home — how much house can one buy with this amount of money in this specific area.
Sounds straight forward enough, but what about what wasn’t taken into consideration? Like the different costs of living in different communities or the proximity of grocery stores or freeway access. Be sure to spend time researching items that can’t be translated into dollars and cents, such as a nearby hiking trail or the smell of lavender fields. It’s often these things that make — or break — a new home.
Not Fine-Tuning the Timing
As in all aspects of life, moving and relocating is not completely under our control. Your place may sell in a day … or maybe not. The seller of your new-construction home could back out. There’s a new loan officer who is slow and insists on double verification, sometimes triple, for every checkbox. Every. Single. Stinkin’. One.
You can’t control these things, but you can plan for them. For example, a freak pre-winter storm halted construction on your new home, and renters have taken up residence in your former one. Sure, a hotel is fine for a night but, for most of us, it’s impractical.
If you will be operating on such a tight timeline, be sure to have info on some back-up housing. There’s Airbnb, corporate housing, an old friend’s or relative’s couch, campgrounds, and other options better suited to your tastes.
Also, make sure you have access to cash. Just because you sold your home for a HUGE profit doesn’t mean you’ll have access to tons of cash. Funding can hit a bump or two on the path to your bank account causing a day, or longer, delay. Be prepared.
Good luck with your move! Following the above three tips is sure to help make your journey a smooth one.
Is there a real estate- or relocation-related topic you would like to discuss in this blog? Let us know at info@raidersrelocators.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
