We all know that buying a house long-distance is not an easy task to perform. However, with proper planning and execution, it can be done. Thousands of people who buy houses like this every day are guaranteed that. But, you’ll need a good real estate team, knowledge of the area you’re looking at, and most importantly – realistic expectations. If all of those combine properly, you’ll find a home that suits your needs and lifestyle without any trouble. To help you with your search we collected all the best tips for successful long-distance house-hunting in one place.
Find an ideal real estate agent
It’s never a good idea to dive into the world of house hunting alone, especially if we’re talking about long-distance buying. Finding a real estate agent who will show you all the ins and outs of the area is crucial. Only this way you’ll be able to make the right decision when the time comes. And since it seems that 2020 is a good year to buy real estate, there’s no point in waiting.
You see, the agent you hire should be familiar with the city and its market. Additionally, having lots of contacts is part of the job description and you can benefit from that. It’s also important that you have a good rapport with the person in question. At the end of the day, he or she should be able to tell if the house suits your needs as soon as it comes on the market. Here’s what else you should look for in your real estate agent:
- Experience in long-distance house hunting and relocation
- Knowledge about the technology required for the process (there’s going to be lots of online work)
- The ability to communicate on your schedule, even if you’re in a completely different time zones
- Understanding what you’re looking for and your budget
Do your research on the area
There is always the option of leaving everything to your real estate agent. However, one of the most important tips for successful long-distance house hunting that our friends from Go Movers Bay Area shared with us is to do your research beforehand. They help people move and are then privy to plenty of hellish real estate stories. So, before you decide to pull the trigger and move, read all the guide books you can find, look at the maps, and explore online about the place you’re planning to move to.
If you know anyone in the city, be sure to contact them and get the inside information about life there. How good the schools are, what about the crime, and don’t forget to check out the livability scores. Only if you arm yourself with the knowledge you will be able to choose the perfect place for the start of a new chapter in your life.
Determine what exactly you need
Another thing that is very important in the house-hunting process is figuring out exactly what you need. Without a real and proper understanding of the topic, your chances of choosing the right place are slim. Everyone wants to feel at home after relocating to a new city. So, the thing to do here is write down everything you want from your new home.
To do this properly, there are some questions you should focus on. Choose a rural or urban environment and determine the type of house you want to live in. Do you want to be within walking distance from the restaurants and other amenities? How many rooms do you need? Are you looking for a furnished or empty home?
All of these are things you need to know when you first contact your real estate agent. Explain to them exactly what you want so the search can begin right away. Who knows, maybe there’s already a house on the market just like the one you’re looking for.
You'll have much better chances of finding the perfect home if you know exactly what you're looking for.
Alt tag: Beautiful house on the lake.
Figure out your budget
The next of our tips for successful long-distance house hunting is about money. While researching the city, you’re probably going to get a good understanding of listing prices around the area. Additionally, you can compare the cost of living in that city to your old place. Consider the average price of gas, groceries, transport, etc. None of these things should be overlooked as they all influence how much you can pay for the house.
Only when you explore everything there is to explore can you start thinking about your budget. The most important thing here is to be realistic. Don’t shoot too high, but also don’t settle for less than you can get because you’re afraid. Talk to your agent and get some price guidance before you make the final decision.
Make plans for visiting the new place
Although technology has come a long way, online research can only reveal so much. You’ll get a much better sense of what you’re diving into if you plan a visit. We understand that this could be a problem because of the current situation in the world, but do it if at all possible.
While you’re there, meet up with your agent and visit a few different neighborhoods. You’ll get to know the city and learn a lot about the place from just a few days there. This will enable you to make better home buying decisions and you’ll learn exactly how much house you can afford. Also, try local restaurants, explore your transport options, and visit a few stores. Try to get a glimpse of how locals live so you know what’s in store for you.
Keep an open mind
The thing with buying a home long-distance is that you can’t become an expert on the market during the process. Therefore, it’s important to keep an open mind about the neighborhood and all the possibilities. No matter what kind of house you’re looking for, be sure to explore other options also.
Consider it this way. If you’re too focused on finding a specific house in a specific neighborhood, you might miss something even better. So, the final of our tips for successful long-distance house hunting is to stay open-minded and open your eyes to all possibilities that get thrown at you.
Meta: All the tips for successful long-distance house hunting in one place. Here’s what you need to know before you jump into the world of online buying.
