6 Things to Keep in Mind When Moving to a New Area

07/24/17 • -1 min

California Real Estate Podcast with Andrea Manroe

Whether you are moving to a new city or a new neighborhood, there are six things you need to remember before you begin the moving process.

Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation

Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS

Whether you are moving to a new city or simply a new area, there are a few tasks that you need to remember before you make your move.

1. Check if the bank you use has a branch in your new area. If there isn’t a branch in your new area, then you need to research which bank to move your accounts to.

2. Consider your medical needs. Have your current doctor forward your prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new area. Make sure you keep that doctor’s phone number in your contacts so that if your new doctor needs past medical records, you will be able to call with questions. You should also see if your medical insurance transfers to your new area and look for doctors and hospitals that accept your insurance.

3. Don’t forget to transfer other things like gym memberships, home security, or any other associations that you pay a fee for. Transfer those to your new address and get copies of your children’s school records. Keep in mind that some memberships come with a cancellation fee if you leave early, so factor those fees into the cost of your move.

Factor cancellation fees into the cost of your move.

4. Raid your kitchen about a month before you move. Consider using the items in your pantry and freezer early so that your move will be more efficient.

5. Check your vehicle. If you need to drive a long distance during the move, make sure you get an oil change and that the tires are safe.

6. Turn off your utilities and switch them to your new address. Some providers, especially cable companies, may have a wait time before they can come out to your property. Make sure that you call early so that you don’t have to wait for any services or utilities to turn on at your new house.

If you take care of these six things, your move will be much less stressful. If you have any other questions about moving or buying a new home, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Whether you are moving to a new city or a new neighborhood, there are six things you need to remember before you begin the moving process.

Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation

Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS

Factor cancellation fees into the cost of your move.

Previous Episode

5 Ways to Secure a Down Payment

Today I want to share five great ways to get the down payment you need to purchase your dream home.

Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation

Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS

There are five creative ways you can get the down payment you need to purchase your dream home.

First, if you’re getting married, crowdsource instead of doing a wedding registry. You can raise money for your down payment by using sites like Kickstarter or Feather My Nest.

Next, you can ask the seller to help with closing costs. There are a few different options with seller concessions, so make sure you ask your real estate agent what the best strategy is to get that extra financial nudge from a seller.

You can also look into government options. HUD housing offers different down payment and closing costs assistance depending on what you qualify for.

You should also check with your employer to see if they offer Employer Assisted Housing or EAH, which can help with down payment assistance. Access to EAH sometimes depends on the area you are looking to buy in, but it’s worth checking out.

Finally, check with your lender. They might be able to find a down payment assistance program that will work for you.

You don’t need a 20% down payment to purchase a home.

It’s a common belief that you need 20% for a down payment. However, you could get into a new home for as little as 3.5% down. To get a better idea of what your options are, make sure you talk to your lender and your real estate agent.

If you have any questions about purchasing or selling a home or you have any other real estate questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’m always happy to help!

Next Episode

Why the Right Contractor Is Key

When choosing a contractor, there are a few things you need to consider before making your final call.

Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuation

Thinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLS

There are a few steps you should take to properly vet a contractor for your remodel project.

First of all, it’s always a good idea to choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional. Looking at that contractor’s prior work can give you a good idea of what the finished results in your own home will look like.

The Internet can also be a great resource for getting to know a contractor and their ability. Do your homework on them by checking out reviews such as the ones on Yelp! or Angie’s List. While you’re checking out their reviews, also look to see if the contractor is part of any contractor associations.

Additionally, make sure you get more than one bid for the project. In fact, you’ll probably want three, or even four, bids before you choose the contractor.

Choose a contractor who has been referred to you by a friend or a professional.

When you do get these bids, make sure the items within them are consistent. Comparing bids that are “apples to apples” will make it easier to choose. Looking at similar bids is the only way to truly see if they are comparable.

Also, when you sign the bid, make sure there is an agreed-upon payment schedule. It also may be worth it to use the same contractor for multiple jobs, since you will already know what to expect from their work.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.