The Real Skinny on Relocation
Back in 2018, the Washington Post reported that “about 1 in 6 of the 1.87 million civilian full-time federal employees lives in the Washington DC area.” There are also thousands of military personnel and private sector professionals in the region. At any given time, orders to relocate can turn things upside down for these families.
If you are moving – whether across town or across the country – there are some practical issues you’ll want to consider. These include juggling house hunting in your new city, packing in your old city, and coordinating utilities, schools, and other details of the move. You’ll also need to think through logistics for selling your home while living elsewhere and paying your current mortgage plus rent or a house payment in your new city.
ZVestors works with many clients who have tight time constraints for selling their homes, so we know how stressful and time-consuming a relocation can be. Check out our tips to ensure the relocation process is as smooth as possible.
Ramping Up at One Location, Ramping Down at Another
Smart Tools
On top of the excitement and pressure of starting work in a new place, there are lots of details to manage. Having a central checklist is the best way to ensure you don’t miss anything. There are lots of smartphone apps that can help streamline the process. MyMove.com recommends six – Evernote , Google Keep, Home Move Pro, Home Inventory, and Yelp . If you aren’t tech-savvy, large index cards or a yellow legal pad will do the trick. The important thing is keeping everything in one central place.
Organize
You may want to segment your To Do list into categories, such as Packing and Movers, Utilities and Services, and Real Estate Research and Agreements. Don’t forget to collect essential paperwork like birth certificates for school age children, passports, social security cards, etc. in one easy-to-access safe spot like an old-fashioned planner or brightly-colored envelope. Scanning or photographing these documents so that you have a copy on your phone is also a good idea.
Lighten Up
When it comes time to move, be sure to lighten your load before you go. Donate any items you don’t need or use. While on Craigslist looking to off-load your items, search for packing boxes. Many people list their moving supplies there for anyone to come pick up at no cost. This can end up saving you some serious cash. If they are in good condition at the end of your move, repay the favor by recycling your own supplies.
Selling Your Home Remotely
It is easier to sell a home from across the country than ever before. You can review and sign paperwork virtually, take home tours online, and have access to realtors 24/7. But there are some downsides to selling your home while not around.
Be sure you have a friend or neighbor check in on your house regularly. Especially if people are coming to view your property, you will want the yard tidy and all doors and fences secured. You’ll also want to keep the utilities on to make viewing the house possible.
Paying for Housing Twice
Housing costs, whether rent or a mortgage, are the single largest expenses in almost every budget. It is crucial that you consider how long you can pay two sets of living expenses since you’ll have a mortgage plus utilities and upkeep on two properties. Decide how long you can carry this burden in order to price your house effectively, and come up with a backup plan in case your home doesn’t sell.
Consider Selling to ZVestors
If you are in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia and relocating to another state, consider selling your home to a real estate investment firm like ZVestors . After doing a market evaluation on your home, a buying agent will give you an offer on your house. This means you can sell your house fast for cash. Usually, our clients close with a week or two. There is no obligation and no costs to you.
In addition to taking the worry and hassle out of selling your home, ZVestors will cover some packing and moving expenses. We can even arrange to donate your unwanted items for you.
About ZVestors
ZVestors is a real estate investment company that buy houses for cash, as-is. ZVestors will make an offer to buy your house for cash if your property is in the DC metro area, Maryland or Virginia. We are committed to making the process of selling your home simple and straightforward, and our buying agents take building relationships with clients seriously.
The buying agents at ZVestors can give you honest, reliable feedback on your home’s value. Call (703 259 0570) or email (info@ZVestors.net) us today. There is no pressure, no listing fee, and our team is happy to build your offer right away.
Read our recent blog post “Why Choose ZVestors”.