Relocation FAQ's and Tips

1. Gather as much information as possible about your new destination, from sources such as Mortgage 101's Power Relocation Tools, your RPS relocation package, Chamber of Commerce newcomer packages, location magazines and your Realtor.

2. Not having your home priced and showable for selling

   Check your home thoroughly for all needed repairs before listing it for sale. Pay attention to details such as gapped caulking, chipped tiles, paint...it's often these little things that potential buyers will notice. Also, have the home professionally cleaned, including carpets. If you haven't had your home appraised in the last two years, do it before putting the home up for sale. Also, have one or two Realtors give you a Comparable Market Analysis. This will show what other comparable home in your neighborhood have sold for recently. Over pricing your home at the outset will result in slow showings and a delay in selling.

3. Poor research of what your money can buy in your new city

   Many factors such as differing salary, cost of living, taxes and housing prices affect what the same dollar can buy in different parts of the country. Resources such as Mortgage 101's Power Relocation Tools, the Chamber of Commerce, Realtors, and Runzheimer Reports can give you this information.

4. Not getting a mortgage pre-qualification letter before house-hunting

   While pre-qualifying with a mortgage company doesn't provide final loan approval, it does give you a realistic price guideline and shows sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer.

5. Not protecting yourself with the best home inspection possible

   This goes for both the home you're selling as well as the one you're buying, although who pays for the inspection (buyer or seller) is negotiable in each separate contract. A good inspector should be: A member of the ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors); bonded, licensed and insured; able to provide references; up front about their fees and what is included (are termite inspections extra, for example.) Your Realtor or mortgage loan officer can recommend a certified inspection company.

6. Setting up the best interim housing between destinations

   When you first arrive in your new town, you'll most likely need to have temporary housing arrangements until you can close and move into a new home, or find a permanent rental. This may be anywhere from a few days to a few months. If you foresee needing interim housing for less than 30 days, the easiest option is a suite hotel geared for extended stays, such as a Residence Inn or Lexington Suite. For a month or longer, corporate apartments or homes are much roomier, more comfortable, and usually 20-60% less than paying a daily or weekly hotel rate.

7. Moving your household and "stuff" safely from point A to point B

   Depending on the size of your household and the distance of the move, you may want to consider hiring a moving company. Obviously, doing it yourself can save quite a bit of money; however, the time factor, experience of professional movers and the insurance they provide your contents may make hiring the better choice.

   Moving companies can give you either a binding or non-binding estimate. Binding means that the cost is held to exactly the estimate they give; this means that they will actually physically inspect your home before giving the estimate. A non-binding estimate is only an approximation and no guarantee that the final billing won't be more. However, federal law sets a ceiling of no more than 10% additional charges over the estimate. You will also want a moving company that can guarantee the pickup and delivery dates.

8. Having a trailing spouse who needs to relocate into a new job

   By the year 2000, 65% of all households will have two incomes, creating a significant burden when losing one income as a result of relocation. 27% of companies provide spouse employment assistance; if yours is one of them, take advantage of it. If not, try to begin establishing a network before you arrive, contacting any friends or acquaintances in your new city; subscribing to the newspaper; contacting recruiters, placement firms and career counselors; contacting the chamber of commerce and employment commission; and joining organizations, especially networking ones. If a job still hasn't been landed by move time, consider volunteering or joining a temporary agency - great full time careers have been started from both.

9. Finding the best new schools for your children

   Concerns about family and children is the second most frequently cited reason for reluctance to move. There are many ways to find out all the information you need to make a wise decision. If you haven't decided on a particular area of town, the chamber of commerce can give you a wealth of statistics on all local school districts, as well as private schools. Using Mortgage 101's Power Relocation Tools can provide excellent information. If you have decided on a particular area, your Realtor can get you a school district information package.

10. Concerns over your children making a smooth transition

    In addition to educational concerns, we also worry about the emotional effects of a major move on our children. They may be resisting the move; may even be angry. Will they adapt well...will they make new friends? Probably the best way to ease the way is to involve the kids in the move. Provide them with the same information about your new town that you have. Rent or buy videos about your destination to watch as a family. There are also many excellent books geared to children of all ages.