by: Melissa Skipworth
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to relocate to a different state or even another country? I thought of this often when I worked in the tradeshow industry, meeting so many people from around the world, and now as a licensed REALTOR®, many of my clients have a need to relocate whether it is for work, to be near family or simply because their lives have evolved, and they need to expand beyond their current city.
Moving is stressful, and researching resources to help with your move is time consuming. Fortunately, I joined Coldwell Banker Premier Realty (CBPR), where I can assist individuals, families or corporations to relocate locally, cross-country or internationally.
When moving to a new area, these are some important factors to consider:
Schools: Whether there are children in your life or not, the school zone for which your new home is zoned should influence your neighborhood choice. If you have kids, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the schools’ rankings and if you do not, a high-ranking school zone is a positive feature for resale.
Transportation: Many home shoppers prioritize the length of their commute when moving to a new place. You’ll want to research both public transportation options and typical traffic congestion before committing to your new area.
Recreation: Having several options for recreational activities that match your interests is essential to an active lifestyle. If you are excited to begin exploring your potential new home, map out where you might have access to hiking or biking trails, ski resorts, water sports, or beaches.
Healthcare: When you move to a new state, you’ll likely need to acquire new health insurance. Moving is often considered a qualifying life event triggering a special enrollment period. Get a head start on this and shop around if you’re not staying with your current employer. Upon completing your move, you’ll want to identify which hospitals and urgent care facilities are nearby, research a new primary care doctor in your network and determine what telehealth and pharmacy options are available.
Proximity to Shopping: You probably won’t be thrilled to make late night runs for a carton of milk if it’s more than a 30-minute drive away. Locate your essential retail stores like grocery, pharmacy and maybe even pet stores. Having easy access to these will play a role in your final home decision.
Property Values: Considering all the factors we’ve already discussed, the value of your home may increase or decrease during economic shifts. You’ll want to purchase in an area where the demand for homes will remain high for years to come. While every area will be different, it would be wise to assess which features future homeowners may appreciate such as location, upgrades, condition of the home, and usable space as those will all factor into your property’s value.
Taxes: Every state offers its own set of tax incentives, and this can be a drastic change from where you currently reside. Research what impacts the change in state taxes will have on you and your finances. Is there no income tax? A high sales tax?
General Cost of Living: This represents the amount of money that it will take to sustain a certain level of living, including basic expenses for goods and services such as housing, transportation, food, clothing and household goods. You want to make sure you have a comfortable living, not a strenuous one.
As times have evolved and work-from-home opportunities have increased, companies are shifting their office policies and applying more flexibility for workers to move out of state. At CBPR, we can provide solutions to minimize stress on employees and their families. No move is too far or too big. For local companies, the Your Home Rewards Program is a no-cost real estate assistance incentive program designed to enhance any employee benefit package. I can offer a cash back rebate* to those team members who choose Coldwell Banker Premier Realty as their trusted advisor during their next real estate transaction. Whether your employees are moving across town or across the country, you can rest assured that our program will make their next move their best move.
* Cash Back bonus is only in allowable states. The Cash Back Bonus is twenty percent (20%) of the gross commission paid to Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, typically three percent (3%) of the purchase price. Your savings will vary based on the sale or purchase price of the home and the commission received. All real estate transactions are negotiable. Other items and considerations may vary. The Cash Back bonus may be terminated without notice.
Melissa Skipworth is a licensed REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty Lic. S.0191667. If you have questions about buying or selling in today’s market, contact her at 702.481.4103 or visit her website at melissaskipworth.cbvegas.com. Equal Housing Opportunity.
