Tips For Successfully Navigating An Out-Of-State Home Purchase
If your employer has permanently transferred you to a new state and you need to purchase a home there for your family to move into, then there are some things you need to keep in mind. While buying a home down the road from your current house comes with some issues, buying a home in a different state is a whole new ball of wax! Since there can be many unforeseen pitfalls that come with buying a home in a new state and in an area you aren't familiar with, here are some tips to help you successfully navigate the process:
Tip: Visit the New Location as Much as Possible Before Purchasing a Home
It is very important that you visit the areas where you are considering purchasing a house before you make a purchase offer. Just as your current town likely has areas that are "good" and those that are "bad", so too will your new town. If you don't visit them in person at various times of the day, then you won't know the nuances of the neighborhoods and could end up with a nice house in a bad neighborhood you would rather not raise your family in.
Tip: Never Purchase a New House Sight Unseen
While it is reasonable for you to home shop online, you should never purchase a home without having visited it in person first. Online photos can be deceptive and don't generally show the negative aspects of a home. For example, the photos may make the yard look fantastic but don't bother to show you the majorly neglected house next door. Alternatively, photos don't show you if a house smells or has any structural problems that you would notice when touring in person, such as uneven floors.
Tip: Work with a Skilled Real Estate Agent in Your New Location
Finally, it is vitally important you find and work with a very skilled real estate agent in your new home's state. Finding an agent familiar with the area you are interested in buying is easy if you search some online listings and pay attention to who the listing agent is. After a while, you will see the same names repeated, and these are the busy agents in the area. Start with these agents and interview them by phone until you find someone you want to work with while shopping and purchasing your new family home.