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Neighbor News

Relocating?- First Steps

By Gretchen Papineau, Top Producing Premier Agent and Vice President at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

When you decide to relocate, you’re doing much more than just buying a new home. Relocating is about building a life and a home around something that you are pursuing, such as a career. This is an important life event that should be handled with care, which is why we have dedicated a four part series for you homeowners taking the plunge. Lets start with the “first steps” or as we like to call it, the “foundation” of your move.
Stay organized.
This is the number one thing to remember as you take your first steps in your relocation journey. Being organized and on top of it all makes everything easier in the long run. You know that “crazy coupon lady” you see at the store with the binder full of colored tabs? Well, she’s not crazy; she has the right idea. Whether you keep a binder full of important documents, to-do lists, or an excel sheet of your budget, staying organized will keep you sane during your relocation.
Plan the logistics.
If you need to sell your current home in order to buy your new home, you should look into this as soon as possible. If you find your dream home in your new location, but you can’t sell your current home, it can delay your ability to make an offer. The last thing that you want to do is add more stress onto your move. If you have the flexibility to buy a new home while your old home is still on the market this may not be an issue. Be sure to think about your current situation and options so that you can plan ahead if you hit any roadblocks.
Keep a safety net.
The second that you decide to relocate, it may be a good idea to put aside some extra money for the big move. Even if you plan everything and have an idea of the costs, you never know what wrench could be thrown into your plans. I think that we have all heard the phrase “better safe than sorry.” Having a safety net of funds will not only help you if you encounter issues but will also give you peace of mind during the process.
Pick the right realtor.
Relocating is not something that you want to do on your own. Finding the best real estate agent for your needs is essential and can make your move much easier. It may be a good idea to find an agent that specializes in the area that you are relocating to. Yes, this means having one agent for your home sale and another for your home buying needs. It pays to have someone knowledgeable on your side, especially when you are moving to an unfamiliar area.
So now you’re organized, have a plan, a back up plan, and an agent to represent you – but now what? Well, it’s time to find the best community for you! In our next blog, we will discuss how to find the right community for your relocation in Massachusetts.
Stay tuned for part two of our relocating series. For more information, please visit: http://www.HomesofAndover.com/

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