Photo by Sieuwert Otterloo

Originally Posted On: 3 Tips to Find a Home Across the Country (thereviewbroads.com)

If you have decided to move to a new location across the country, you have a few challenges ahead. You’ll need to start a new job, find new friends, and figure out how to transport your beloved car (hint: use CarsRelo). But the biggest logistical hurdle is actually finding a new home to live in.

House hunting is simple enough when you’re not moving far. You just pick a few properties you like the look of, and make time to visit them on weekends or after work. But when your new hometown is hundreds or thousands of miles away, you can’t just pop down on a Saturday morning to have a look at a house you probably won’t even buy. On the other hand, you don’t want to sign a contract on an apartment or house without having viewed it first. It makes the move incredibly stressful and can put some people off.

But just because it’s difficult, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. By planning ahead and using your time wisely, it’s entirely possible to find the perfect home across the country. Here are three tips to help you with your search.

TAKE A TRIP

To find a home hundreds of miles away, you need to be smart with your time. Plan a weekend trip to your new destination so you can spend a couple of days doing nothing but looking at properties. Try to book as many viewings as possible into this window, and you should end your trip with a shortlist of homes you like. As well as allowing you to view homes in person, you will also be able to explore your new neighborhood and get a sense of what it would be like to live there. If you find a property you like, make sure you act fast to make an offer before anyone else snaps it up. Otherwise, you might find yourself booking another trip.

GET A SHORT LET

One potential solution is to rent a temporary or short-let accommodation in your new town or city. These contracts will let you stay in a property for a few months while you actively search for something more permanent. Househunting will be much easier when you live in the area, and it means you can spend all your free time going to viewings. You can lower your standards with a short let, as you know you won’t be there for long.

USE FRIENDS AND FAMILY

If you have friends and family in the area you’re moving to, ask them to be your eyes and ears. When you find a home you like the look of, ask them to view it for you, taking plenty of pictures and videos of the property. This requires you to put a lot of faith in your loved ones to assess your new home’s suitability, but it will save you a lot of time and money. Make sure you compile a list of questions for them to ask the estate agent.