613,494
We get a lot of "relocation" calls and here are the top mistakes.
1. The homebuyer thinks that they will buy a house, get a loan, and then get a job. It does not work that way...if you are financing, you need to get the job first.
2. I find that the buyers who want to rent first, never do after they find out the cost of rentals, and the cost of property increase to wait a year.
3. Your budget will determine the neighborhood. Find an Exclusive Buyers Agent and have a chat with them about neighboorhoods and values. Contact NAEBA.org to find an agent that only represents the buyer, and never the seller.
4. Don't call the agent with their name on the for sale sign...they work for the seller and their job is to sell for the highest price and most favorable terms for the seller...and tell you how wonderful that property is.
5. Get on the internet and learn about the city and the communities. Also find out what the "agency" rules are for that state...what are the rules concerning a sellers agent, a transaction broker, a dual agent, designated agent etc.
6. Interview brokers...ask them:
- specifically how are they going to save you money?
- who will they represent if you are interested in their company listing?
- how many buyers have they actively represented?
Good Luck
Eve
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Jeff Dowler, CRS
Carlsbad, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
3,350,289
Adding to what Eve Alexander said, do a lot of research ... you cannot do too much research. Make certain you look into health care. I had a client years ago made a move to retire to their forever home. They did not listen to me regarding healthcare. It turned out they could not get good health care where the moved to. 6 months later they moved again to get the health care they need.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
5,256,911
You have some wonderful tips here, Joann! I agree with all talking points but, want to reiterate what Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA said. Having a buyers agent who also represents sellers at times (NOT the seller of the home you buy) have incredibly valuable experience working with sellers, knowing their mindsets and how far you can push and what it takes to win in bidding wars for their buyers.
Their knowledge will help you tremendously with negotiations (not only on price but, on repairs).
And, if you're moving to the Portland area, I would highly recommend you phone Lynnea Miller. She is in Bend but, has a lot of state-wide affiliations.
Good luck!
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,057,254
Everything Eve said - AND I WILL ADD:
NOT every 'buyer's agent' is A REAL EBA. Who is gonna have your back WITH THE RESOURCES to do so? Half the reason folks DO go through the listing broker is they have encountered agents too lazy or clueless to peel back enough layers, and get frustrated at having no answers!
Especially in a new area it is critical to have resourceful representation!
ALSO, what Greg said about visiting in each season. I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES I've advised relo buyers NOT TO BUY until they have 'survived a summer here', another agent sells them then they're coming back to me to list their home a year later with no equity!
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,506,613
I'd research the area fully first. Vacation there several times for a couple weeks at a time, but in AirBnBs, not hotels. Get the feel of various neighborhoods that way and what it's like to actually live there. If your host happens to live in the area as well, a great opportunity to pick their brains.
I see that you're looking at Portland. There are parts of that city that I would not advise going into. Research what's going on there with Antifa and their protests. Some parts of that city are just a "no-go" area if you wish to remain safe.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
921,504
If the neighborhood in which you are currently living is "NICE" it is highly likely it is because you made it that way.
Where you are going has the same rules, you will bring your 'right' and your 'happiness' with you.
In a hot housing market, where there does exist a time limit, as mentioned by others, you will buy what your budget permits and what is available on the market. "Right' neighborhoods are most often defined by price-point since you provide no clarifying information.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
4,583,484
You have the luxury of time and the sources for information is large. And varied. You can do some on-line searches for initial impressions. Can you make an introductory visit to see the area first hand as a wannabe resident? Good luck.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
2,785,156
Summon the basics first...safety, fresh air/water, quietude, medical, shopping, roads and recreation. From there visit crime stats, homelessness and at some point visiting is in order. many leave these experiences online
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
5,772,593
Joann,
Talk to people in various neighborhoods, check out amenities, and you have serveral good suggestions from the membership. A
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
556,536
You want to stay at the place you intend to move to during the different seasons there. You have a year to look for an area before you even start to look at homes. Don't find a place you like and move there until you know what it is like there the rest of the year. Unless you are renting then you can bounce around.
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
17,033
Michael Jacobs we just returned from a vacation from there (Portland, OR) and we did make sure to go to different neighborhoods to get a feel for them. We plan to go out at least once or twice more.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Dan & Laurie Pittsenba...
Bellingham, WA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,062,625
In addition to what Eve Alexander says so lots of research, and be sure your financials are all in order and you know your true budget. And plan to spend some time in person
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
2,401,675
Joann Schermerhorn I'd check the leaderboard (on the menu at the bottom of every ActiveRain page) and ask some of the folks in the city you are moving to.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
3,416,038
I would reach out to someone who specializes in that area and then go there to see what i liked or not liked
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
469,510
Easy - hire a good local realtor and tell them the kind of neighborhood you want to live in.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,554,227
Vacation there a few times and AIRB&B different neighborhoods.
That's how we did San Diego.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
913,818
Traffic, drugs & crime, afforadabilty, airports, public transportation, retirement taxes, hospitals, to name a few. One of my sisters and her husband are in process or retiring from Western MD to Delaware.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
2,458,263
Definitely visit several times at different times of year to :
- make sure the weather is agreeable with you
- make sure the people are compatible/agreeable with you
- figure out which areas in particular you like
- check out home prices for purchase and rental (you can definitely hire a real estate agent to keep you apprised of new inventory before you're ready to move there)
- sign up for the area newspapers - most are online - to make sure you like what you read and to see what kinds of things make the paper/are for sale/etc
- drive/walk the different areas at different times of day. safe? pretty? friendly? would you want to live there?
- investigate whatever you are interested in, besides having a place to live. culture? arts? shopping? eating out? other activities? do they have what you need in order to enjoy your life?
I just moved from one side of the country to the other (NY to Montana) and we did a lot of research before making the move. And all is well!
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
2,071,025
Just go and see places.
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
7,869,077
You may wish to rent for a year while exploring the neighborhoods.
Make sure you use an outstanding agent.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
5,243,218
Start with online research and then plan visits to hone your choices. Make a list of needs ans seperate them from the wants. The earlier you start the better your chances of making the right choice.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
906,812
Have an excellent agent who represents you. I work with people from all over and have represented Real Estate agents buying in this area as well. Having relocated and purchased homes in other states, I know how important it is to find the right location. There are some excellent points in this thread. Start with jobs and how long you want to drive. If you have kids, check out the schools. Of course, price comes into play. Between jobs, schools and price, you should be able to narrow the area significantly. Think about things you do outside of work and school (gym, sports, kids activities, etc.) and know if they are close enough to the area you're considering. Check out the area by driving through and walking it. Stay in that area and visit restaurants, shopping etc. to get a feel of the area. Talk to neighbors or people out and about. Call the police department to ask what the crime is like in that area. Once the area is settled, choose a neighborhood. It takes a little more research and can be done successfully. I always ask the agent what makes the area/neighborhood one that will appreciate. Other things to consider is flood zones, traffic patterns, etc.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
420,003
Lighten the load, donate lots of nick knacks and paddy wacks.
Go stay in your proposed location in an AirBnB or Verbo and walk around.
Walk at night and slowly get the pace of the place.
IF you like the place after your research - will you be working there? Do you have employment?
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
4,904,820
Find a agent who knows the market.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,115,152
First of all, your budget will pre-determine your neighborhood. Beyond that, search for an experienced real estate professional who can send you a relocation package about the area. The internet is a great source of information these days, as well. Work with a professional real estate agent who can introduce you to your right neighborhoods and help you make appropriate decisions.
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
6,422,088
I can help you find a nice home in an amazing town in Central Wisconsin.
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,598,452
I hope you will find right place!
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
231,948
I've have researched many areas via the internet. To me, I can't stand humidity. Sites that I have used is City-Data and their discussion forum. It's also important to go there in person several times and use Airbnb to get the local feel for each season. Since you are a member of Active Rain, find your Realtor here. Best of luck!
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
4,964,616
Look for a Realtor that knows the area and have you fill out your priorities.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
766,569
Where are you working? Are schools a concern? Safety and quality of life are essential once you fulfill these concerns. Find a local expert that is honest and cares about serving your best interest.
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Joann Schermerhorn
Overland Park, KS
1,325,114
I think you have gotten great advice from AR members here.
You have time to do your research and make a good decision.
Good luck on your move.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
1,728,556
2,194,706
5,878,935
I work with relocating buyers all the time, and start with how far to work, if they have kids, what school district, age of homes, close to entertainment, or acreage. Lots of questions to ask.