Your long-awaited big break in your career comes with only one catch—it’s 1,294 miles away.
Relocating for work isn’t an easy task. You have to say goodbye to friends, find a new place to live, prep for new responsibilities at work and—oh yeah—check that little task “sell the house” off your list.
Sigh.
We’ll let you brood and groan for 30 more seconds, then it’s time to get down to business. Start with these tips for how to juggle all the moving parts of this sudden life change with speed and a little strategy.
1. No time for a traditional listing? Sell your house instantly to a cash buyer.
Did you know you can sell and buy almost anything online nowadays… even houses?
That’s right—you can get all-cash offers on your house with the click of a button. Granted, you won’t receive the same amount you would in a standard home sale. But in the event that speed trumps price, then this could be an attractive route: you can skip the time-consuming home sale process and instead close on a much tighter timeline.
2. Get a head start on home prep and packing.
A week, a month, or six-month timeframe makes a cosmic difference in the outcome of your home sale. The extent of home preparations, the price you list your home for and the overall marketing strategy for your home sale correspond with how much time you have. If the traditional home sale is the best fit for your situation, start making a game plan for the tasks your agent’s deemed essential.
In 2017, the typical home sold was on the market for 3 weeks, according to the National Association of Realtors. Tack on the time it takes to get the home market ready, receive offers, and get through closing.
If your boss wants you relocated by the end of next week, you’ll have to hustle through your home preparations and get your home on the market fast.
Here are 3 ways to get your home sale moving quickly:
Skip the DIY and hire professionals.
Sure, everyone knows you can mow the lawn yourself and deep clean just as well as the next person. But when you’re on a time crunch due to job relocation, it’s not the place to take on extra projects to save a few bucks. Call up your local painters, cleaners, landscapers, and movers to get the show on the road.
Start packing… yesterday.
You’ve got a lot of stuff, so what are you waiting for? As soon as your boss says the word, start packing up your house. It takes the average person about 3-5 days to pack up a 3-bedroom house, but always budget more time than you think you’ll need.
Be flexible and listen to your real estate agent.
Don’t dilly-dally over details that hold up your home sale. Make yourself and your house available for stagers, photographers, and showings when necessary. Stay in constant contact with your real estate agent. When in doubt, listen to your top real estate agent’s advice.
3. Be realistic about pricing the house to sell fast.
The current real estate market trends in your area determine how quickly your home will sell and what price it will sell for. With your real estate agent’s comparative market analysis in hand, you can get a better idea of where you’ll need to price your house in order for it to sell fast.
Relocating for work puts a time constraint on your home sale, so to sell your house fast, you’ll probably have to price it below what other homes are selling for. If you price your home right, you stand to sell it faster and make more money than you would if it were overpriced.
4. Talk to your employer about relocation packages and benefits.
If you’re relocating for a new job or a transfer within your current company, you might be eligible to receive a relocation package.
A company may or may not get involved in the cost of the move, so talk to your company to see how they’ll assist you. In some cases, your company will provide temporary housing or provide reimbursement for moving expenses.
Each company is different, so discuss your relocation package with your employer as soon as possible.
5. Slow down—there’s no need to rush into your next home purchase.
The proceeds from your home sale will help you secure your next home. Plus, waiting will save you from paying two mortgages if your old house doesn’t sell.
This also gives you a chance to learn the new area before you settle into a new property. Rent an apartment or house to learn your new area before immediately jumping into a new house.
If you’re considering relocating, a cash offer can provide a solution. If you’re ready to explore the selling your home for cash because you are relocating, contact our team at St. Louis Realty Advisors at 314-270-1601 for your quick, fair cash offer.