My wife and I have moved 5 times in our adult life. Two of those moves were into and out of apartments. The three others were into and out of residential homes. Each was necessary at the time as we were entering a new stage of our lives together.
But wow – how much work it took! Way more than we thought. From the time the thought of moving entered our minds, to the time we had finished unpacking in our new place, so much effort went into the move.
Moving into a new home will be more work and commitment than it seems. Although you may have moved before, or multiple times, each move is different. Each property requires different attention, time, money and effort.
So before you move, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. Relocating takes many shapes and sizes, whether you are moving to a new city, across the country or to a new country altogether. It’s a big commitment and there are many things to consider. Here are just a few.
Think These Things Through Before Relocating
You have to process all that a relocation means, not just for you, but for your family and others who have an interest in your life. Thinking these things through at the outset of your decision process will be helpful. You will want to know:
If the location is right for you
The first rule in buying a home is location. This will drive your decision probably more than anything else.
It is important to consider location in real estate for a variety of reasons. First, if you have children you will want to ensure there is a local school with a solid reputation. Additionally, you may want to know what parks are nearby and what other activities are around to educate and keep your children occupied. These would be important for parents to look at.
Other location factors you will want to review are the crime rate, amenities and transportation options to and from work, shopping centers and entertainment. You won’t want to relocate to a place that lacks fun and convenience.
You can do your research to find out these things online. But there’s only so much you can learn online. When you’ve narrowed down your choices, make a plan to visit the new area. You’re going to live in and spend a reasonable amount of time in this new location, so you’ll want to get a good feel for the neighborhood. The best way to get a feel for the place is by driving around the area at different times of day and walking the streets. See if you could picture yourself there.
If you can afford it
Sure, you may want to move. But do you actually have the money to do so? If you have one, the mortgage payment will be the headline number to figure out. But there are other expenses to consider.
Relocating might seem affordable, especially when interest rates are low. Yet a new property may require work to be done that impacts into your budget. There may be other monthly costs you have not considered, like transportation, schooling or local real estate taxes.
So you will want to make sure you can afford to pay off the mortgage payments each month by reviewing your finances before committing to a new location and home.
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Your families thoughts
This isn’t just about you. There is the rest of the family to consider. Every move will affect each family member in different ways.
It will be important to talk with your spouse, children, significant other and extended family to see what they think about the move. It’s essential to have these conversations early on in the decision-making process. Don’t move and then discover your loved ones didn’t want to. Figure out if this relocation makes sense for everyone.
About moving your bills
Before moving, you’ll want to cancel your utilities, including water, gas, electricity, cable, and internet. If you already know your new address, you may be able to transfer services so they will be active and ready for you when you get there.
This is especially important for remote workers who won’t want to miss too much time away. You’ll also want to forward your mail to your new address.
About pet issues
You may need to register your pet within your new city or county. Are there local ordinances requiring their vaccinations be up to date.
Also remember, your new home is not familiar to your pet. They might accidentally flee if given a chance. Therefore, it’s a good idea to change the collar tags with your new contact info and update the details of your pet’s microchip, if applicable. Like a driver’s license, each state has a specific window in which to register your pet.
Whether you want new or old?
There are the usual factors to consider when making that decision – whether you want to buy a house that needs work or move into a new one decorated to your specification. Or whether you prefer all-new appliances with guarantees and whether you simply prefer a brand new home. Your financial circumstances may also determine whether you opt for a new build over an existing home.
Some programs, such as the government-backed equity loans, are only available when buying a new build home. Not only that but buying a new build means you’re not caught up in a chain of sellers. When you’re moving your entire life from one part of the country to another, you need to have some control over the dates so you can arrange school starts, removal services, continuity of any medical care. Avoiding a chain provides additional peace of mind.
How to decluttering your old life
There’s no better excuse to go through your stuff and delete anything you no longer use or need. Moving is a great time to declutter.
If you’re moving somewhere warmer, dump the winter coats. If you haven’t kayaked since college, sell it on eBay or have a garage sale. Once the excess is out of sight, get to packing.
And additional helpful tip when packing is to mark empty boxes by room (kitchen, bedroom, office, etc.) This will help eliminate the stress of unpacking later. And if you’ve already purged, you won’t have to worry about getting rid of stuff in your new place.
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Whether to get help with moving
Moving to a new place takes more pairs of hands than you think. You will need to sort the bills, finances, and legal work as well as move all of your furniture and belongings. Getting help with some of these tasks will make the move less stressful.
You can hire moving companies to take care of all the heavy stuff. Some of the smaller things you can probably move yourself. But also don’t forget about real estate lawyers and financial advisors who could work on the legal documents or at least help you with them.
If you can DIY
If you’re a renter or a first-time homebuyer without a house-full of belongings, you’ll save money by going the DIY route. Renting a “moving pod” allows you to pack at your own pace and avoid the costs of a full-service moving company. Or rent a moving truck and drive your belongings to the new city or state yourself.
Lastly, if you are relocating long distances, consider renting part of a large freight moving trailer. You load and unload the truck yourself and it’s driven to your new location for you. This solution is also a stress reducer.
There is a lot to consider when moving home, especially if you are relocating to a new place. Utilize these tips to make the process smoother and less stressful. Always do your research and plan well before putting your money and effort down on a new property as well as a new location.
Leave a Comment or Answer a Question Below: Have you ever moved to a new location? If so, what was your experience like? Who did you get help from? What other things would you advise a person who wants to move to do?
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