6 Tips for Out-of-State Movers

Moving to a new state can be both exciting and challenging. The following tips will help you get settled into your new home, presented below by Scates Real Estate.

1. Create a Home Purchase Plan

Buying a home out of state comes with some unique challenges. Create a plan that addresses those challenges. First, decide what you want to do with your current home. Are you going to sell it? Would you prefer to rent it out? Are you going to keep it as a second home? 

Determine how much home you can afford to buy. To accomplish this you may need to estimate both your future income and your expected cost of living. You can use online databases to research the average cost of living in the state you intend to move to. For example, according to price indexes, the cost of groceries, utilities, and transportation in Minnesota all fall below the national averages, while the cost of healthcare is substantially below the national average.

Once you have your price range, decide which location factors are the most important to you, such as schools, parks, shopping, nightlife and recreation and the size of the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and other features you want. Be sure to work with Scates Real Estate, who is familiar with your new state to identify properties that fit your needs and budget.

2. Visit Your New City Before You Move

Before you load the moving truck, visit your new city and take some time to explore the area. Take a long walk or bike ride through your new neighborhood. If you have kids, visit the school they will attend. Introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Identify some nearby places where you can get groceries, do laundry or stop for a bite to eat so that you aren't scrambling when move-in day arrives. 

3. Talk To Your Current Employer Before You Move

If you are on good terms with your current employer, talk to someone at your company before you move. Find out if you can do your job or a different job with your company remotely or at an office near your new home. If staying with your new company isn't a possibility, find out if your boss has any contacts in your new state that may be able to get you a job interview.

4. Create a Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new business in your new state, create a business plan. Your business plan should include a description of your company, explain how you will sell your products or services, outline your business structure and provide financial projections and estimates of how much startup funding you will need. Creating a business plan sets your new business up for success and is a document you will probably need to show to banks or potential investors to get funding.

5. Get Your New Home Set-Up

One of the most important aspects of adjusting to a new location is creating a living space that feels like home. It is much harder to settle into a new place if you are living out of boxes and surrounded by chaos. Unpack all your stuff and get your home organized and decorated. Create a daily routine. Once you feel settled in your new home, you will be ready to venture out into your new city.

6. Have an Online Doctor

When you’ve just moved into a new state and city, finding a new doctor for routine medical checkups and illnesses can be a hassle. But access and timeliness are among the many benefits to having an online doctor. With a telehealth appointment, you can meet with a doctor from the comfort and privacy of your home, often on the same day that you make the appointment. There are licensed physicians available across the country, and they work with most health insurance plans. And if the need for medication arises, prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy, which makes things easier in a new city.

These tips won't make moving to your new state a breeze. However, they can set you up for a more successful and less stressful move. For help finding your new home, contact Scates Real Estate today!