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Moving out of state promises a fresh start, but before you can get there, you have a lot of logistics to take care of. Of utmost importance, you have to take care of the sale of your current home and plan to move into your new house at the next destination.
How can you ensure that this process goes as smoothly as possible? Let's go over a few pointers.
How to Make Moving Out of State Easier
1. Work With a Real Estate Agent Who's an Expert of That Area
A qualified real estate agent will do so much more than finding you your next home. They're going to help you make this tricky and sometimes confusing transition. And make no mistake about it: There are a lot of moving parts.
You want a real estate agent who knows the area forward and back. This means they can help you find a home that not only checks all the boxes but is also in a safe, clean area, has the best schools nearby, is located close to a major freeway, and has any other requirements you might be looking for.
Plus, they'll be able to help you get the lay of the land. Real estate agents who know their territory well can help welcome you to your new city, familiarize you a bit more, and tell you about nearby features you'll want to know but wouldn't even think to ask about.
2. Give Yourself Even More Time Than You Think You'll Need
Sometimes, things don't go exactly as you plan. And with something as tricky to coordinate as moving out of state, this can definitely be the case. That's okay! It just means that you need to plan accordingly.
Give yourself some extra cushion on your calendar and have a game plan in case something falls through or simply takes longer than you thought it would. For instance, what if you shipped your car to your new home state and it's taking longer to arrive than they projected? (More on this in a moment.) The same can happen if you ship your belongings. Moving companies won't give you an exact date of arrival. Instead, they'll give you a range — an estimate of when your things should arrive.
Bumps in the road can happen to anyone, so don't lose too much sleep over it. Having a back-up plan will save you.
3. Compare Shipping Your Vehicle Versus Driving
If you're planning on bringing your car with you, you mainly have two options: Drive it to your new destination or hire a trucking service that will move it for you.
Here are a few things you should know about each, right off the bat.
Driving
Pros
- It (mostly) leaves you in control of when you arrive at your new home.
- It allows you to pack your car as much as you safely can.
- Driving can be more affordable, depending on the distance.
Cons
- Driving so far puts more miles on your car (plus any related maintenance needed as a result).
- It's much more work.
Shipping
Pros
- It prevents you from putting excessive mileage on your car.
- You don't have to make the drive yourself.
- Staying off the road means that you stay safer.
Cons
- It can get pricey, depending on the company you go with.
- A weight limit means you can only pack your car so much with your belongings.
- You don't control the timeline as much, although shipping can be faster than driving.
So, which do you go with? It depends on your schedule, availability, comfort, and budget. Also, take into consideration what you want. Were you looking forward to taking a long road trip and sort of treating it like a little vacation? You might enjoy the drive! Do you want someone else to handle it for you? Ship it.
As a side note, now's a good time to take inventory of the things you own. What do you have to bring? What can you bear to part with? The less stuff you have to move, the better.
4. Calculate Your Budget — And Then Add to It
Moving locally is expensive. Moving across state lines comes with an even bigger price tag.
Make a list of everything you know you'll have to pay for, like the movers/moving truck, packing supplies, gas, accommodations during the drive, and so on.
Then, add onto the budget, for good measure.
Things almost always end up costing at least a little more than you think they will. You want to give yourself this extra wiggle room so that nothing catches you by surprise and causes unneeded stress.
And if you end up not needing to spend that extra money? Awesome! You just saved a little cash.
5. Be Picky With Your Real Estate Agent
We encourage you to be picky in general — and especially if you're planning a long-distance move.
You're going to need a real estate agent that you can really lean on because they're going to be doing a lot of work behind the scenes when you can't be there. You need to be able to trust them to get the job done without your physical presence.
Look for an agent that's not only experienced but also has glowing reviews. Reviews from previous clients are the most revealing information and can guide you in making your decision. Pick an agent you feel you connect with, who's well-known and respected in their industry and geographic area.
Working With The Brendan King Group
At The Brendan King Group, we don't just love what we do. We love people, and we love Las Vegas. This is our home, and we're ready to welcome you to it. If you're planning on moving to Las Vegas, whether you're coming from five miles or 500 miles away, we're ready to help you find your dream home and make the moving process smoother. Be sure to check out our testimonials from residents we've worked with in the past.
Contact us today so that we can learn more about you.
