Moving to a new state is a very exciting adventure and a huge undertaking. Relocating can add another level of stress and potential complications. These 9 tips may help simplify the home buying and moving process and help you begin the relocation journey more prepared.
I was reflecting on the different people and families I have helped over the years relocate to the Raleigh Durham area and thought it would be helpful to share some tips to consider as you begin your move to a new area. I have broken down this list into two main areas – first the search for your new home and then the move.
For Your New Home Search
#1 Make a Visit
Visit your new home city ahead of time to learn the layout and the culture. Make sure it’s a place you will be comfortable living and that the cost of living works in your budget. If you are moving to the Raleigh-Durham area, we have put together some information for you to see the many great things this area has to offer.
#2 Target your home search
When looking for a new home, make a list of what’s important to you and your family. Consider things like:
- A short commute to work
- Top schools?
- Medical care?
- Proximity and number of parks?
- Close to downtown?
Make sure your agent knows what’s important to you so they can tailor your home search to fit your needs.
Speaking of Agents – that leads me to…
#3 Find an experienced full-time Agent that is a market expert
Chances are, you’re relocating to an area you don’t know very well. That’s why it’s so important to partner with an experienced, full-time real estate agent you can trust and who’s an expert in that area. They’ll help you figure out what neighborhoods to look at and what kind of homes fit your budget and your preferences. This will help you narrow down your target areas so you can maximize your house-hunting trips. And in many cases, a savvy agent can also virtually show you prospective homes when you aren’t local.
Your realtor will also be a source of valuable information on other resources. Beyond helping with the contract and close part of the transaction, and helping with inspections, organizing appraisals, and everything on the ground that we’ll take care of here, we can help answer questions about your new location, as we are pretty savvy about getting around town and offering recommendations on things to do in the area.
#4 Know your Finances – both housing budget and cost of living
Before you start house hunting, make sure you know what you can afford.
Knowing how much you can afford will help you target your home search to the neighborhoods and areas of town that fit your budget. Your real estate broker can help put you in touch with a local mortgage lender to begin the mortgage application process so you know what range you qualify for and also prepare your prequalification letter.
Another vital factor to consider when moving is the cost of living. You can determine the difference between your current living expenses compared to what you may expect in the new location using this cost of living calculator.
#5 Negotiate the contract and close on your new home!
There’s nothing like finding a home you love that’s in your budget. And once you do, your agent will help you finalize the contract, clear any contingencies like the home inspection and appraisal, and coordinate closing details.
For Your Move
#6 Boxes, boxes, and more boxes
Estimate how many boxes you’ll need. You’ll need different-sized boxes for your move, but how many? Here’s how to judge the number of boxes you likely will need based on the square footage of your home.
Estimated number of packing boxes needed by home size:
| House size | Small boxes needed | Medium boxes | Large boxes | Extra-large boxes |
| 400-700 square feet | 7-15 | 9-15 | 6 | 3 |
| 700-1250 square feet | 17-23 | 15-22 | 7-11 | 4-6 |
| 1200-1700 square feet | 32-37 | 25-35 | 16-20 | 10-12 |
| 1700-2200 square feet | 38-42 | 36-47 | 21-26 | 13-15 |
#7 The Packing process
I have a few tips for packing your home for the big move.
- With your new home in mind, purge while you pack. If you’ve lived in your home for more than a few years, you’ve likely accumulated lots of stuff and some of these items you will likely not need once you move. To cut down on your moving costs, sort through items you want to take with you and make a plan for the rest. Decide what to keep, discard, donate, and sell.
- Label boxes. During packing for your move – carefully label your moving boxes on all sides with what’s contained inside and which room it should go to in the new house. Pro tip: Place furniture hardware and electrical cords in baggies.
- Pack special boxes. Pack a necessity box for each person, plus one for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, and one with electronic chargers.
- Organize important paperwork in a folder for easy access. Gather your passport, deed, rental lease, etc. as these are some of the critical documents you might need at a moment’s notice and don’t want to wonder where you put them. By keeping them in a folder, you can access them quickly and conveniently without having to open up boxes.
#8 If you are hiring movers plan ahead and shop around
Moving your belongings is one of the most costly expenses during the relocating process. Hiring professional movers to assist with packing, loading, and moving your belongings can be a great option, but be sure to get several quotes.
#9 Change your address
Cancel delivery services, change your address with the post office, transfer your utilities, notify your credit card company, insurance companies, banks, memberships, and other important businesses about your address change.
There’s a lot to juggle when you relocate to a new city, but don’t worry. Working with a dedicated, full-time Realtor to represent, protect, and guarantee success during this move will help reduce the unknowns and your stress. If you are thinking about relocating, contact us and we can help you get started with finding your next home.
Disclaimer: The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice.