If you’re like many people in the business world, sometimes your company just ups and moves to a new city. And you’re left wondering how to move out of state along with them. Or maybe you’re just in the mood to to relocate, never-could-stand-that-town-anyway. You’re not alone: 75% of the US population relocates once every 5 years. And relocation isn’t just about finding a new home, although that’s an important part of it. What’s the neighborhood like? How are the people there? The vital questions you need to ask yourself about this impending move are many, and we’ve crystalized relocation down to a few necessary things to consider.
These 6 tips will make your move out of state easier:
1) Do your research
Hop on your browser and cruise the interwebs. Relocation starts with general searches on Google, then refine your parameters to include what’s most important to you: schools, entertainment, restaurants, outdoor activities, safety, dog parks, cost of living, employment, public transportation, and so on.
Check out local tourism sites, local blogs, city sites, crime statistics, school district evaluations, where are the best restaurants. Find as many local people as you can and talk to them, whether it’s on social media or in person. Visit the neighborhoods around where you are looking. Prepare for the weather. And don’t forget to get in touch with your local real estate agencies like TRELORA for advice about your relocation.
2) Find a good neighborhood
Visit the neighborhood you like in person, if possible, and get a feel for where you want to live, keeping in mind also the rest of your family, kids and pets. And if you can’t visit in person, use online real estate search sites, Google Earth and also Street View to help with your relocation. Check out the tidiness and cleanliness of nearby homes, yards, and driveways. Take a close look at nearby restaurants, activities, schools, parks and bus routes. Weigh your commute versus another neighborhood. Investigate nearby hospitals, airports, highways. Look at local traffic patterns regarding high energy vs chill areas.
3) Meet new people
Meeting new people can be tough and stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a good thing there are many different ways to meet new people. And research can only do so much, so start connecting with your neighbors on social media and in person. Explore your neighborhood and visit coffee shops, libraries, bars, parks, restaurants, and even churches, if that’s your gig. Take your pets for a walk and talk to other pet owners.
4) Help out your kids and pets
It’s challenging and stressful for kids and pets to change up their routines and things that are familiar to them. Moving with kids can be hard. Talk with your children about the move as far ahead as possible, so they can get ready. Be supportive and patient, since they’ll need time to adjust. Do a tour of your new home with them to familiarize your kids with everything in your new home as part of your relocation. Show them positive things in your new neighborhood and let them be a part of the unpacking process. Sign them up for local activities and sports to keep them active and also help them get to know other local kids.
Let your pets get used to your new home. Bring them along on the tour of the house you take with your kids. And take your pets for neighborhood walks so they can get used to the area (and again so you can meet new people). Don’t change their food, sleeping or walking patterns until later after the move, if necessary.
5) Get involved in your community
One of the great ways to feel at home in a new neighborhood is getting involved in your area from activities to community events to sports. Join local social media groups and pay attention to area news about what’s going on in the ‘hood, when the block party or bake sale is, so you can participate. Get in a book club, ask neighbors for their favorite spots, museums, volunteer for local organizations and churches. Get involved with local sports for yourself and for your kids to keep yourself and them active and meeting people.
6) Pick the right real estate agent
After doing all this work yourself, it’s important to understand how much a real estate agent makes. Are the services that agent provides worth paying 3% of your biggest financial asset? With today’s technology, home buyers are increasingly doing much of the research and homework themselves, but agents are making more than ever while often doing less work.
When you hire Trelora, you pay one flat fee rather than a variable commission on the price of your home. You’ll also get best-in-class customer service, a team of expert agents that closes hundreds of deals per year in your area with intimate knowledge of your neighborhood, a proprietary technology platform that puts you in the driver’s seat and an average rebate of $13,500 in Colorado and $18,000 in Seattle.
When you hire Trelora, you pay just 1% to sell your home. You’ll also get best-in-class customer service, and a team of expert agents who close hundreds of deals per year. And keep in mind, especially if you’re moving or you have friends in other states, that Trelora can help you in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, Seattle and Tucson. In the meantime, please stay healthy and safe.
Christopher has been been in the Real Estate industry for 8 years and has had the opportunity to close over 1,000 deals while acting as the Managing Broker for thousands more. Christopher is passionate about continuing to find ways to simplify, maximize, and serve Trelora’s clients exceptionally well and spends his time building teams to deliver high levels of service. When not doing real estate Christopher can be seen training for marathons and ultra relays with his 2 year old daughter, eating pizza, and drinking a steady stream of Diet Coke.