Moving to a Different State to Purchase a Home

So you’re thinking about moving to a different state. Congratulations! Relocating from one state to another can be filled with mixed feelings like excitement, anxiety, hope and fears. To balance those emotions out, I decided to give you some advice on what to think about when purchasing a home in order to move to a different state.

Establish a Timeline

When deciding to relocate to a new state, like California, you’ll want to establish a timeline. This will help you prioritize each step of the process. Usually, most people relocate to a new are because of a life milestone like retirement, a new job or establishing residency for a child to attend school in a different state. In those cases, you’ll usually have a set time frame of when you have to move by, but for those who may be tired of their current location, you’ll want to set a date especially if you are purchasing a home.

Research, Research and More Research

Since you are relocating to a new state, you’ll have to put in more research than a person relocating to a new home in the same area, why? Most people living in a specific town have a general idea about what the surrounding areas are like. You may have some sense of where you want to live when you relocate to a new state but there are many nuances that you still have to learn. You will be unfamiliar with the school districts, the safety of the neighborhoods, the taxes as well as other things. You’ll want to heavily research the state, the safest areas to live, potential schools if you have kids and the property values that are in your budget.

Find a Reliable Buyers Agent

When moving from state to state, you’ll need to find an excellent buyer’s agent who is reliable. Not being in-state requires a lot of trust, and you’ll need consistent communication. There are many review sites that rank real estate agents for prospective buyers. This will help you make a decision about who to go through when looking for a new home in a state you aren’t living in.

Viewing the Homes

This is the most difficult part of living in a state other than the one you are moving to, because you have limited ability to view the homes. Luckily, many homes now have some form of virtual tour whether it is through extensive photos or a 3D virtual tour. With that in mind, you may still want to plan a short trip to the state to find a home, whether this is a week or a weekend.

Finding a Mortgage/Closing on Your Home

Two highly important steps when buying a home in a new state is finding your mortgage and the closing process. The difficult part about landing a mortgage is getting it financed, especially if you are moving and there may be a change in your financial situation if you or your partner haven’t found a job. Try getting pre-qualified prior to looking into a home in a new state. Look at the lenders, their rates and which one is willing to work with you.

Also consider the closing process. Your buyer’s agent should be able to help you understand the process. You’ll want to make sure your mortgage is secured and you are able to find home owners insurance.

If you are looking to buy a home in Encinitas, California from another state, I’d be happy to work with you. Feel free to send me an email or give me a call. We can work together to find you a home you are looking for.

Linda Moore

Office Listings

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
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