So you want (or need) to move to another city. How do you go about moving? Here are a few tips to start you off:

1. Get the whole family onside.

Moving is stressful enough even when everyone is enthusiastically helping. But emotions (including your own) run high in a move to another city. Be sure to discuss the move openly with your spouse and children, listen openly to their concerns, and build the most supportive conditions you can.

2. Sell your present house.

Selling at a reasonable price may take the most time of all these steps, depending on conditions of the market and the house itself, so start this step as soon as you can.

1. If you already own a house (or condominium), find a good realtor to help you sell it. If possible, get referrals from people you know who have bought or sold property in your city in the recent past. As in any other occupation, real estate has its share of both excellent and not-so-great members.
2. Take the realtor’s advice on selling price. If you have found a really good realtor, he/she will recommend a price that is truly the best in your interest, to balance reasonable value with speed of sale.
3. Take the realtor’s advice on preparing the house to show well. Most renovations do not pay for themselves in increased sale price, but a little paint and cleaning, and a lot of tidying, can make a big difference to both the price and speed of the sale. It may be advisable to get a home inspection, to uncover flaws that a buyer would find anyway – then fix them!

3. Check the options for ending your present mortgage.

1. If you have a mortgage loan, it probably doesn’t mature just when you want to leave the house. Get out the contract and read it carefully for the possibilities it allows to end your mortgage early. If you have difficulty understanding what the contract means, get knowledgeable help, possibly from the mortgage lender. This will tell you your legal rights, but you may be able to do better by negotiation. Home mortgages vary enormously in their terms. You may find:

    

   • You need to pay a penalty to quit early.
   • Your mortgage may already be portable.
   • Other conditions apply in your case.
2. Find out if your mortgage lender also does business in the city you are moving to. If so, to keep your business, the lender may be willing to soften the contract terms.

4. Pre-arrange financing for a new house.

1. Having financing in your back pocket is a tremendous advantage when you shop for a new house. You can not only make a stronger, less conditional offer, but you will have a clearer idea of what prices are really within your means. So it pays to get a pre-approved mortgage.
2. Find a reputable mortgage lender you feel comfortable with in the new city. Remember, mortgage lenders must lend to live - somebody wants your business, so be sure to shop carefully for the best deal from a reputable lender that you trust. If your present lender does business in the new city, be sure to consider what that lender can offer. They may offer the best terms to avoid losing your business, and you already know them.
3. Be open to features that might not have been available the last time you got a mortgage loan. Other pages on this site will help you to understand the different mortgage features you can get and what they are worth to you. Consider the whole picture, including points, the lender’s customer service, etc.
4. If the new city is in a different country, or even a different state/province, the laws or lending market may dictate some differences in mortgage contract terms. Be prepared to understand and accept them.

5. Enlist a realtor in the new city.

1. Find a good realtor to help you find a suitable house. If possible, get referrals from people you know who have bought or sold property in the new city in the recent past. This is even more important in a city that you don’t know well.


2. Get the realtor to acquaint you with the new city. Have an introductory tour to get a feel for the place, and ask lots of questions.
• What are the different neighborhoods like?
• Is it a buyers’ or sellers’ market just now?
• How is the commuting?
• Where is the good shopping?
• What about schools?

3. Acquaint the realtor with your needs.
   • What about schools?
   • Be open about your financial limit.
   • When do you need to move in?
   • Where will you be working?
   • Do you need schools nearby?
   • What is your family’s taste in housing? Would you prefer a very new house or one with historic character?
   • Are you willing to do repairs and renovations, in return for a lower price?

The better the realtor knows you, the better he/she can select possible houses to show you without wasting your time.

6. Organize the move.

1. One of the best ways to make your move easier, and cheaper, is simply:
   Don’t take so much!
   If you have lived in the same house for more than five years, experienced moving companies know that you probably have 50% more “stuff”. There are many reasons why you probably should leave much of it behind. Click here for ways to reduce your moving cost.
2. Hire a reputable mover as early as you reasonably can. It’s important to determine the services you will use, and the reasons for them, in order to organize your other preparations. And in busy moving seasons, not booking early could prevent you from getting a mover when you want one. Click here for how to choose a mover. A good mover will be a great help to get you through the whole move with your sanity, and your precious possessions, intact.
3. Put together a moving checklist of all the other steps you need to complete, and when to do them. Completing each step on time can be a source of great satisfaction.

There’s lots of good help available to ease you through a potentially difficult time. If you approach your move calmly, and take care in the details, it will be an adventure to remember!

Author information: Article written by Bill McDonald of Movers North America.

More References

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