You’ve landed a new job; congratulations! Now you have to sell your house and relocate. That’s a big task for home sellers. After all, your home is usually the most valuable asset you own. Getting the sale right is incredibly important because the money helps you with a down payment on your new home in your new city.
There are steps you should take to ensure a smooth and efficient sale. Timing is critical when selling your house, especially if you need to relocate quickly.
We’re here to help. Our guide explains the steps you need to take to sell your house for a job relocation, and our tips and strategies work with any time frame, including yours. Keep reading to find out more about selling your home and relocating.
Selling Your House When Relocating for a Job
The best time to sell is usually in the spring and summer, with the peak season in May and June. During this time, buyers are more active, and your home will likely sell more quickly.
Selling during the peak months isn’t always possible, so we will cover the most critical components of the selling process.
Essential Home Staging Tips
Home staging is crucial to making your home more attractive to potential buyers. Some easy and affordable tips include:
- Decluttering and depersonalizing your space
- Deep cleaning your house
- Repairing any visible damage
- Rearranging your furniture to maximize space and light
Create a neutral atmosphere that allows buyers to envision themselves in your home. Remove any religious or political items and avoid bright or bold colors that might turn off potential buyers.
Setting a Competitive Price
Set the right price for your house with a comparative market analysis. You’ll compare your current home to other homes in your local market to establish a competitive price. Remember that homes priced accurately in any real estate market tend to sell faster than those priced too high or too low.
Advertising Your Property
Marketing your property is crucial to reaching potential buyers and making a quick sale:
- List your house on popular real estate websites, like Zillow and Realtor.com
- Advertise your property on social media
- Place “For Sale” signs on your front yard
- Host open houses and showings
Negotiating with Potential Buyers
Negotiating with potential buyers is a challenge, but it’s a critical step in making a quick and profitable sale. Be open to offers, but remember to:
- Negotiate from a strong position, know the difference between home value and market value.
- Identify your priorities before entering into negotiations.
- Be prepared to compromise.
If you want to skip the hassle of dealing with a traditional home sale, sell to a cash buyer or real estate investor who will make a fair cash offer.
Selling a House and Relocating Checklist
Relocation is challenging, especially with all the decisions you have to make. Follow this actionable checklist to ensure a hassle-free relocation:
Before the Move
- Prepare the house for sale: Declutter, deep clean, improve curb appeal, perform minor repairs and touch-ups.
- Research schools: If you have children, research and enroll them in their new schools.
- Notify your employer: Inform them of your relocation plans if they are work-related.
- Create a budget: Set a budget for the move, including the cost of hiring a mover, packing supplies, and other expenses.
- Hire a moving company: Select a reliable company and confirm the dates, charges, and services included.
Packing and Transportation
- Create an inventory: List all your possessions, categorize them, and assign them to a specific room.
- Pack strategically: Label and pack boxes according to the room they belong to and the level of fragility.
- Take care of pets: If you have pets, arrange a pet sitter or book pet-friendly hotels.
- Confirm the transportation arrangements: Ensure everything is in order with the moving company, and provide clear directions to your new home.
Settling In
- Unpack and organize: Start unpacking and organizing your belongings as soon as possible, beginning with the essentials.
- Change your address: Notify the Postal Service, banks, schools, and other institutions of your new address.
- Set up utilities: Arrange to install gas, water, electricity, and other necessary utilities.
Relocating Checklist
Whether you move yourself or contract a relocation company, you should have a sold plan in place. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for a successful relocation.
Pre-Move Tasks
- Set a budget for moving expenses.
- Research neighborhoods and the local market to find your new home
- Choose a moving company and confirm the arrangements.
- Have an estimate of all the costs involved, and request a list of all the services included.
- Begin decluttering and dispose of items you no longer need.
- Notify utility companies to terminate services at your current location.
- Request time off work for your move.
- Gather all necessary documents like medical records, passports, and social security cards.
- Change your address; forward your mail.
Moving Day Tasks
- Confirm the moving timeline with the company.
- Label boxes with contents and room destination
- Provide clear directions to your new home for the movers.
- Keep all valuable items like jewelry and important documents with you.
Post-Move Tasks
- Unpack and organize your essentials first.
- Begin to set up utilities and internet at the new location.
- Register for new state driver’s license, plates, and car insurance.
- Update your address with your bank and credit card companies.
- Set up your new accounts, such as electric, gas, and water.
Packing and Decluttering Tips
- Start packing early to avoid the last-minute rush.
- Label each box with details of the contents and destination room.
- Get rid of items you don’t need, and donate or sell them.
- Keep an inventory to ensure nothing gets lost during the move.
Understanding Your Relocation Package
A relocation package includes benefits provided to new hires or transferring employees to assist with moving costs. The major components of a typical job relocation package include the following:
- Moving Expenses
- Temporary Housing
- Travel Costs
Usually, you’ll get either a lump sum to pay before the move or you’ll be reimbursed after the move. Ask your company for relocation assistance.
Taxes and Expenses to Consider
Selling a house entails various taxes and expenses you must consider and manage to minimize costs. Here are the fees to keep in mind:
- Real Estate Agent Fees: Historically, sellers pay 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission fees to the real estate agent.
- Closing Costs: Sellers usually pay 1% to 3% of the sale price in closing costs.
- Mortgage Prepayment Penalties: You may incur penalties for prepaying your mortgage, which add up to thousands of dollars.
- Moving Costs: Moving costs vary, but the average interstate move in the US costs around $4,300.
- State, Local, and Property Taxes: You may be subject to state and local taxes.
Having a House Ready for When You Move
Congratulations on securing a new job in a new city! Finding a new primary residence to call home is the most critical aspect of your move, so here are some tips to smooth the process.
Researching the Right Neighborhood
The first step in your home search journey is finding the right neighborhood that meets your needs. Some factors to consider include:
- Proximity to your work location
- School districts
- Quality of local amenities
Streamlining the Process with Helpful Tools
A home search is overwhelming, but using the right tools makes it more manageable. Websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com help you browse homes for sale. Renters will benefit from these informative tools too.
Finding and Evaluating Potential Properties
When you find a potential property, schedule a tour to see the property in person. During your time, be sure to:
- Inspect the property for any damages or issues.
- Evaluate the layout and space of the home.
- Take note of any maintenance or renovation needs..
Securing a Property
Once you have found the perfect home, it’s time to secure the property. Be prepared to:
- Put down a deposit to reserve the property.
- Have your credit and background checked
- Arrange for any necessary moving logistics.
Tips for Relocating for a Job
Here is an outline of the critical steps to take before and after the move to ensure a smooth relocation process.
Before the Move
- Create a Budget
- Find Suitable Accommodations
- Negotiate Relocation Benefits
- Build a Network in Your New Hometown
After the Move
- Unpack and Organize Your Belongings
- Deal with Homesickness
- Make Friends and Connect with the Local Community
- Build Relationships with Colleagues
Conclusion
Relocating for a new employer, then selling your house may be necessary. While it is stressful, taking practical steps such as assessing the market, preparing your home for sale, and hiring a relocation company makes all the difference.
A home sale to a buyer who makes an all cash offer may be your best bet. Because the offer is cash, your buyer doesn’t have to secure a lender. That speeds up the selling process.
Typically, homeowners sell their home fast to an online home buying company without having to worry about cleaning, home inspections, repairs, or closing costs. If you need to sell your house fast, contact We Buy Houses For Cash. We’ll help you with your old home as you move into your new house.
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