Are you faced with the challenge of a long-distance relocation? Moving long-distance, whether across the state or across the country, can be a daunting project. There are so many unknowns, it’s only natural to feel a little bit intimidated. But with some thought and planning, there’s no need to be frightened ~ it can actually be a fun adventure. Here are some tips to make your relocation go more smoothly.
* Research Area Online – TotalMove has a great tool for getting local information online, Find A Neighborhood. You can use this tool to zero-in on the local neighborhoods that best fit your personality, lifestyle and needs.
* Get Local Maps – It’s a good idea to look over a city before you move. Where is the local airport? What local towns are on the water? Where are the freeways/ or train stops. Local maps can be purchased online or through your local AAA office.
* Get Local News – A local newspaper can help to give you a feel for an area. What are the lead stories? What are the local current events? Who are the local leaders? What are the local sports teams? A lot of this info can be found online, but some local newspapers can be purchased at major bookstores, like Barnes & Noble.
* Local Contacts – This is a good time to contact anyone you might know in town and get their advice on neighborhoods, the move, etc. Even if you’ve fallen out of touch, it’s nice to have a local friend to help you get settled.
* Work with a Local, Experienced Real Estate Agent – Once you’re ready to start looking at properties, be sure to work with an experienced local agent. They should be able to give you an excellent assessment of local market conditions and, when you’re ready, send you online property listings. If you need a local real estate agent – we can help. We have a nationwide network of over 90,000 skilled and experienced real estate agents. Give us a call at 800-968-6683 now.
* Visit Before Moving –There’s no substitute for visiting a community before moving. Be sure to let your real estate agent know you’re coming and make appointments with them before you leave.
* Visit More Than Once – If you’re planning a move that is a year+ away, make several trips to the town, at different times of the year. This will give you a good feel for how the town can be in different seasons. If the area to which you are moving normally experiences extreme temperatures or weather, you may want to visit during a particular time of year, so that you are aware of what it is like.
* Visit Different Neighborhoods – One major city can have numerous neighborhoods that aren’t anything alike. It can sometimes be difficult to judge what a neighborhood will be like until you visit it. It’s to your advantage to visit as many of those interesting neighborhoods as possible before moving.
* Consider Children/Pets – If you have children or pets, be sure to consider their needs when relocating. This may go beyond good schools or a fenced in yard, but also include: local parks, traffic patterns and volume, local stores and doctors, etc.
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