Guide to Buying a Home If You’re Relocating Out of State

 

Buying a home is certainly overwhelming. But buying a home 1,000 miles away can easily add to your stress anxiety. Finding the right home takes persistence, research, and the ability to move quickly. Especially if you need to buy a new home and sell your old home as well.

With that said, it’s important that buyers have the right support to simplify the buying process and help them navigate their out-of-town home search. For this reason, if you’re planning to purchase a home long-distance, it’s important to consider a buyer’s agent to help you find the perfect home.

What is a buyer’s agent?

A buyer’s agent is a type of real estate professional that guides individuals through the home buying process. An agent is a representative of a purchaser in a real estate transaction. As such, a buyer’s agent has a legal obligation to protect the interest of buyers at all times. Additionally, they must work to ensure that the buyer is getting the best possible deal. 

Ultimately, a buyer’s agent will be an invaluable resource that can help you find your dream home no matter where you’re located. Here are 4 things that a buyer’s agent can do to assist you in your journey. 

Find Listings

Your agent will ask you various questions pertaining to your ideal home such as what your needs are and your home preferences. This helps them get an idea of what your ideal home is. Once they have your criteria, they will begin searching for listings that meet your requirements and send you matching properties that get added to the listing.

Schedule Showings

Along with finding listings, your Realtor will help schedule showings for you. This is especially beneficial for out-of-town buyers who might not know when local showings occur. The buyer’s agent will coordinate with the listing agent or seller and schedule a time for you to view the property. 

Ask and Answer Questions

An agent will answer questions about a property or neighborhood to help you purchase the right home. If you are looking for something specific, such as horse property, you should have a list of specific questions for your argent.  They can also give their opinion on a property to tell you whether it is a good buy. In addition to this, they will ask questions about the property to ensure you are armed with all the information you need to make an informed decision. 

Price Consultation

If you find a home you love, the agent will consult with the listing agent to see if there are any disclosures on the property, which could affect the pricing of the home.

Common Concerns for a Long-Distance Move

A long-distance move can be especially concerning for buyers who are relocating to a new area. Here are 3 common concerns that buyers face and what an agent can do to alleviate these concerns. 

• What if I buy a home in the wrong neighborhood?
  One disadvantage that long-distance buyers face is not being in the local area every day to scan neighborhoods. This makes it difficult to know which areas are the best. A local buyer’s agent for homes in Greenville SC for instance can help research the related neighborhood and provide you with information such as crime data and school ratings to ensure you are choosing neighborhoods that fit your criteria. If you are looking to buy condos in Greenville, the condo association will provide you with condo docs. 
• What if buy the wrong home?
  When you’re moving long-distance, you might not be able to physically look at homes all the time. A home is a big investment, and it can certainly be scary to put money down on a property you haven’t actually seen in person.
  A buyer’s agent can help alleviate some of this fear by researching a prospective home and provide you with information you might not know about the property and advise you on anything that needs further clarification. |
• What if I get scammed?
  Unfortunately, real estate scams do happen. For this reason, it’s important that buyers stay on their toes at all times and know the signs of a potential scam waiting to happen.
  For buyers moving long-distance, this is one of the biggest concerns because it is more difficult to spot a scam when you’re not even in the location you’re planning to move to.
  That’s one of the greatest benefits of having an agent represent you. They can vet homes and show you real prospective properties. Not forgetting to mention, an agent has extensive experience looking at homes — meaning, they can spot a scam from a mile away.

4 Steps to Secure Your Home 

If you can’t easily get to the area to browse homes, don’t worry. There are steps you can take to help you secure the home of your dreams. Let’s take a look at 4 simple steps buyers should take to find and secure the right home. 

1. Research:
   With any home search, it’s important to research. But this is especially important for those looking to move long-distance. Many buyers underestimate the research process. Unfortunately, this forces them to miss out on essential information that can impact their move. For instance, let’s say you research historic neighborhoods. You narrow it down to one community with a few homes in your budget. You’re excited to take a trip to visit the community, but you later find out that their school rating is low. If you have children, this might not be a compromise you’re willing to make. This isn’t just stressful, but a lot of necessary time is wasted due to a lack of research. The earlier you can start the research process the better. Be sure to learn about things such as the community, schools, and home values.
2. Virtual Tours:
   If you can’t get to your new town to search for homes, don’t be afraid to take advantage of virtual tours. Setting up a virtual tour is the next best thing to being in-person and can provide you with a lot more information regarding a home compared to photos. With a virtual tour, you will get to experience the home as if you were there and get a great sense of the home’s aesthetic and functionality.  Essentially, you will have an actual representation of the property, which will help you make an informed decision.
3. Have a Pre-Approval Letter:
   The housing market can move relatively quickly. If you find the right home, it’s important to be ready to put an offer as soon as possible. Homes can sell in a matter of hours, so it’s important to be prepared. A pre-approval letter will make your offer more attractive and bring you one step closer to your dream home. Ultimately, a pre-approval says that you can afford the home and that you’re a serious buyer. This will help you secure your dream home — even if you’re many miles away.
4. Rely on Your Buyer’s Agent:
   Buying a home can be a lengthy process. If you’re planning a long-distance move, it’s in your best interest to rely on a buyer’s agent to help you navigate the process. An agent is on the ground as your eyes and ears, working on your behalf. Agents can spot red flags, set up home tours, and negotiate contingencies. This essentially streamlines the process for buyers and makes obtaining the home of your dreams easier than ever. Finding your dream home doesn’t have to be difficult. Even if you can’t browse your new town, there are various steps you can take to find the right home for you. If you’re a buyer looking to move long-distance, consider a buyer’s agent to simplify the buying process and ensure you make the best investment for your needs.