Every year, there are more than 40 million Americans who pack up their homes and move. That represents roughly 15 percent of the entire U.S. population.
Some of the people who move only relocate a few minutes away from their former homes. But there are also others who move to an entirely new state that’s located far from their former residences.
If you’re thinking about moving out of state sometime soon, there are a series of steps that you should take first to make sure your move is a complete success. Check out the things you should do before making your move to a new state below.
Visit the State You’re Moving to
Before you start finalizing your plans to move to a new state, it’s a good idea to take a trip to that state to see what it’s all about.
You might be under the impression that you can learn everything you need to know about a new state by doing research on the internet. But you can’t truly get a feel for everything a state has to offer until you visit it.
The last thing you want to do is move to a new state that looks amazing on paper only to discover that you don’t actually love living there. It’ll leave you scrambling to figure out what to do next when you find yourself in that scenario.
Instead, go to the state ahead of time and spend at least a few days there. You can see whether or not it’s right for you before you proceed with your moving plans.
Meet with a Local Realtor
While you’re visiting a state that you’re thinking about moving to, arrange to meet up with a local realtor to see what the real estate market in that state has to offer.
During a meeting with a realtor, they can tell you all about the different kinds of homes that you can find in the specific area in which you’re looking to buy. They can talk about everything from the home styles you’ll find to the prices you can expect to pay.
Experienced real estate agents can also speak with you about local school systems if you have kids, property tax rates in the state, and so much more. You can gather all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision about moving out of state.
Choose the Right Home
If you decide that you do, in fact, want to move to a new state, you’re obviously going to want to find a home for you and your family before you do it.
You might be tempted to rush and start shopping for homes during your initial trip to the state. But it’s usually best to go back home before you start looking around. You can check out home listings from your existing home before scheduling another trip back to the state to look at some of them in person.
Depending on which state you’re going to be moving to, you might be able to afford a way bigger home than you live in now. But you might also find that homes in your new state are a lot pricier than the ones in your existing state, which could limit the types of properties you can buy.
Either way, it’s important to find a home that will work well for you and your family. Rather than rushing into making a decision, take your time and choose the home that’ll deliver the most bang for your buck.
Find an Employee Relocation Company
Are you moving as a result of a work-related relocation? This can actually be one of the most stressful kinds of moves!
You’ll have to worry about more than just finding a new home in your new state. You’ll also have to worry about selling your old home and getting adjusted to working in a new place as quickly as you can.
Talk to your employer and see if they would be willing to pay for you to work with an employee relocation company. This company can help you move from one state to another without the usual hassles that come along with it.
See here for more information on how an employee relocation company can benefit you.
Hire an Interstate Moving Company
If you’re moving from one part of your existing city to another, you can usually do it yourself. Or, if you have a lot to move, you can hire a local moving company to help.
It’s usually not feasible to do all the moving yourself when you move to a new state, though. It’s also not always possible to hire a local moving company to assist you since they might not serve the state you’re moving to.
Find an interstate moving company that can get you and your family moved in a hurry. There are lots of moving companies that specialize in providing people with long-distance movers.
Purge Before You Pack
While long-distance movers can make moving out of state easier, make things easy on yourself by limiting the number of things you have to move.
Prior to packing all your belongings up, go through your existing home and throw out anything you don’t want to move to your new home. This can include clothing, household items, furniture, electronics, and more.
When you purge your home, it’ll make your move a whole lot more manageable. You won’t have to pack up a bunch of stuff you don’t need anymore and find space for it in your new home.
Obtain a New Driver’s License
You don’t necessarily need to have a new driver’s license the minute you move to a new state. But if you can do it ahead of time, it doesn’t hurt to get your hands on a driver’s license in your new state. It’ll make you feel like you’re an official resident from the moment you move into your new home.
Moving Out of State Can Be a Challenge
Moving out of state can be really difficult to do if you don’t make the proper preparations ahead of time.
Make sure you scout out your new state and find the right home before you move there. Make sure you work with an employee relocation company and long-distance movers as well. It’ll make the process simpler on you and allow you to enjoy making your move.
Read our blog for some tips on finding a professional housekeeper who can clean your new home for you before you move into it.