More often than ever, people are moving blind to another state. As properties fly off the MLS, often before they are officially listed, eager homebuyers are willing to take a leap of faith and head to a new hometown. It’s a big decision, but one that can make for a better life. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Image via Pexels 

Find A Home

• Check the market. While buying a home is a similar process throughout every market, some markets move faster than others. When you’re moving blind to another state, do your research on the local market. Make sure that your real estate agent is fully up to date with local buying and selling practices, including whether or not you should offer more than the asking price. Your realtor should be patient, knowledgeable, and available when you need them.

• Look into apartments. If you don’t have room in your budget for a house, apartments are a great option to explore. In order to make this transition as smooth as possible, it’s important to start searching early. This way you have a high chance of securing your ideal spot before all the good ones are taken. To get started, begin by creating a list of must-haves – such as number of bedrooms, location and amenities – and then use online resources like rental websites and apps to narrow down your search.

• Settle your finances. Pay off debts, check for credit reporting errors, and don’t apply for any new loans or credit cards in the months before you move. Your credit and debt-to-income ratio are huge factors in your ability to buy a new home. These days, just about all sellers will want you to be pre-approved before they entertain an offer.

• Evaluate your budget. If you’ve never lived in Washington before, it’s important that you understand the impact of the high cost of living. Unfortunately, housing, utilities, healthcare, and most retail services are higher than many other areas of the United States. Make sure that your income supports your new cost of living.

• Look for storage. You may find that you have more things than space when you relocate. In that case, look into local storage options to find a size and rate that fits your needs.
  

• Protecting Your Investment

  • Get a home inspection. There are very few circumstances where a home inspection shouldn’t be one of your top priorities. This is not one of them. According to Homes.com, your home inspection can identify problems that you might not be able to tell from photos or video walk-through alone.

   

  • Compare insurance coverage. All lenders require homeowner insurance, but you still have to do your research and choose a provider that offers the coverage you need. You can expect to spend an average of $146 per month to cover your home’s structure, many of your personal belongings, and the cost of injuries incurred on your property.

   

  • Keep up with maintenance and repairs. It’s likely that your new home will need a few updates when you first move in. You can arrange to have those using the Frontdoor app. Simply answer a few questions about the house and the app will recommend professionals in your area who can help. Once you’ve settled in, you can also use the app to schedule routine maintenance.

   

  • Consider a Supplemental Home Warranty. It also makes sense to find some home warranty reviews to read and then invest in an affordable product that will take care of your expensive appliances and major systems should these break down or become damaged.

Don’t Forget the Self-Care

Moving blind to another state can be one of the most stressful events of life, and it’s definitely not something to be taken lightly. With so many details that need to be coordinated and managed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is especially if things are not always in your control. That’s why it’s important for anyone in the midst of a move to take some time for self-care.

Taking a few minutes to practice meditation or even just sit in silence can make all the difference when it comes to staying sane throughout the process. You don’t have to do anything complicated; simply taking some time out of your day to focus on yourself can help reduce stress levels and give you back control as you go through this big change.

Ready to move across state

When you are ready to move blind to another state, prepare to buckle up for an adventure. This doesn’t mean you have to go to the process completely blind, however. There are several steps you can take, such as getting home insurance or getting an inspection, and knowing your budget, that will make the process that much smoother. Need more tips on moving? Read our moving check list to help you further prepare.