When you, or your spouse, get a new job out of the area you are currently living in, there is an air of excitement. Whether the new position is a promotion inside the company or whether you were downsized out of a job and now have a new opportunity, there is tremendous satisfaction in knowing 'they want me'. The logistical side of getting from here to there, however, is a little more complex than just packing a toothbrush and hopping on a plane. So anchor yourself back on the ground and figure out timelines.
The Timeline:
When is the target date for the new position to start? When do you hope to physically move? Sometimes there is flexibility in the starting time, but look for the commencement date to be about three to six weeks from the offer. The physical move date is consid bly more complex depending on your family needs and the relocation offer.
If you have children in the school system, then the school year will be the most critical factor in the timing. Children in college, infants and other family members are more flexible. For school age children, including preschool, you will need to know when the school year starts, and for private schools you need to know when the application process is started.
Many preschools and private schools enroll during the spring and do not have rolling admission for entrance during the school year. Other times to consider in the school arena are the school holidays and end of semester exam periods. Can your move coincide with one of these times to make the transition less traumatic for your school age child?
With the starting date and the projected relocation date established, you can now fill in the timeline with other essential dates. The two most significant dates will be when to put the current house on the market, and when to visit the new area to find a home. It should be noted that these dates will probably extend the current timeline. Begin by contacting realtors, and assessors if necessary. This should ideally be done as soon as the relocation contract is signed.
Check the relocation package for arrangements regarding sale of the home. Make your realtor aware of any deviations from the standard contract that need to be inserted into the sales contract. To show the home at its best, it should be devoid of clutter, and immaculately clean -- a tall order with kids and animals! Let your realtor know your target move out date, plus any other dates such as the earliest/latest feasible dates. Let the realtor have a lock box or key for the home so that they can work efficiently, but let them also know inconvenient times to show the house.
Begin your search for a home in the new area, by deciding where you would like to live. Locate on a map where the new work location is and draw a tentative line from that area to define the maximum time you want to drive to work, and thus your target new home location.
Finding a realtor in this new location can be done in sev l ways. The most reliable way is to ask the hiring manager or human resources department at the new location. Most companies relocate many employees and may have a favorite realtor who specializes in relocation, and has performed well for new hires. The second option would be to ask your local realtor for a referral in the new area. The advantage here is that your home realtor can keep the relocation realtor apprised of any movement regarding the selling of your current home.
The final option is to do an internet search of houses in the new area. If you find a house on an internet list that you like, contact that realtor and see if they can serve your needs. Even if you do not find the right house listed on the internet, you can still see which realtors represent the type of house you would like to buy and can perhaps help you.
As most relocation packages will only allow one, or at most two, trips to the new area, make sure that you do lots of preparation with your realtor in the new area before you meet them. Talk to the realtor on the telephone -- the internet can only go so far! Talk about the area you have targeted, what sort of home and environment you like (urban, suburban, country). It is essential that you are realistic and open with the realtor regarding the price of home you can afford. In return, your agent should let you know about taxes that you need to include in your monthly outlay and how they are paid. It is to everyone's advantage that they sell, and you buy, an appropriate home for your needs. However, if you cannot find a suitable property, and your target relocation date is short, consider the temporary market. Most relocation packages will allow a limited period in rental property.
With these major dates on the timeline established, you can focus on the relocation itself. Other dates that you will need to put onto your timeline may include appointments with professional appraisers and home inspectors, and hopefully contract dates for moving into your new home, as well as contracts for sale of your current home.
By Blanche Evans | Copyright RealtyTimes
