Buying a home and moving can be tremendously stressful even when doing it locally. Throw in a significant amount of distance, and things become even more difficult. For instance, suppose you’re moving from Calgary to Toronto. That’s a distance of almost 3,500 miles.
How are you supposed to find the right neighbourhood, much less the right home for your needs? You’ll find that buying a new home long distance is simpler when you know what mistakes to avoid. We’ll cover those in this post to help ensure that you’re in the know.
First, it’s important that you know yourself. No, we’re not talking about heading back to college so you can “find yourself”. You need to know the specifics about what you’re looking for, not just in a home to buy, but in the neighbourhood you want to live in. Do you need to be close to work? Do you want a walkable area? Do you want working class, upper middle class, or affluent neighbours? Do you plan to start a family soon? Will you need much of a yard? These are all examples of questions that you need to answer now, before you do anything else. Once you have roughed out your wants and needs, you can take the next step.
There are many things you can do on your own during a long distance move and the home-buying process. However, a trusted, reputable realtor can make an enormous difference. Find a top-notch realtor who has experience working with buyers from outside the area. The buying process is very different between local moves and long-distance moves. A great realtor can do a number of things for you, including helping you figure out what area of the city is best for you, what sort of home you’re looking for, and more. Make sure that the realtor you choose is easy to get a hold of (by phone, email, text message, etc.). The realtor should also be willing and able to visit homes just listed in person to determine if they meet your needs or not.
The homebuying process has changed a lot in the last decade or so. What once took place largely offline now has a major online component. There are tons of Canadian real estate websites and apps that you can use to help find the right home. They can be valuable tools but avoid placing too much trust in them. Photographs can be deceptive. It can be difficult to determine dimensions from an online picture. Plus, you lack the context that visiting a home in person offers. For instance, what’s directly across the street from your home? What is the noise level like? Are you just a few hundred feet from a major highway that can’t be seen in the photos? Use online sources, but do not trust them to tell the whole story.
Your realtor is going to be a wealth of information and of immense benefit to you during the home buying and moving process. However, you can’t put everything on their shoulders. You need to do some of the legwork yourself. You need to get to know the city – what’s the cost of living? What is transportation like? What are the various areas like? What recreation options are available? What livability scores apply to the various neighbourhoods?
We get it. You’re about to move long distance. You’re buying a home. Your schedule is absolutely jam-packed. Still, you need to make time to visit the area in person at least once or twice. It is important that you get a feel for the city yourself – what appeals to one person may not appeal to another. You also need to view potential homes that have been shortlisted in person before you make a final decision. Moving thousands of miles is very expensive and not a decision that’s easily reversed. Buying a new home is a major financial commitment, too. You need to be in the right position to make those decisions and an in-person visit or two is the only what to do that.
Long distance moving in and of itself is a lengthy, time-consuming process. Home buying, even locally, is also a long, drawn-out process. Combine the two and you have a need for additional time. Don’t rush into the move or the purchase of a home. Yes, time will be a factor, but you cannot afford to let it be your master. Start planning immediately. Make a schedule and stick to it. Follow your realtor’s advice, and don’t put off any of the various requirements – home inspections, getting quotes on homeowner’s insurance, etc.
You might think that you prefer one area of your soon-to-be home over all others but keep an open mind. What if you can save $10,000 on the home by buying in another area? What if spending a little more gives your children access to a better school? Home buying is as much about trade-offs as it is about buying your dream home. Be open minded.
You might think that your mortgage payment is going to be the only real cost you incur in terms of homeownership. That’s not true. There are many others, including insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and more. These can vary from area to area, so know what you’re in for.
If you’re moving across the country, you’re going to need help. Don’t take shortcuts here. Make sure you are able to compare moving company services and reputations, as well as rates. The right moving company will make an immense difference in your experience.
In the end, buying a home long distance and moving across the country does not have to be a nightmare. Work with MoveIt.ca to find and compare moving estimates, and to gain the protection and peace of mind that you need.
