By mikerbrady
Moving to a new place can be a daunting and stressful task that requires meticulous organization and planning ahead. Whether you’re relocating for a job or simply someone looking to make a fresh start, you might be wondering how to move to another state and what exactly the move will entail.
In order to make a move from Virginia to another state successfully and with significantly fewer headaches, there will be many factors you’ll need to consider before finding your next location. From deciding whether to move your belongings by truck or container and finding the right neighborhood to budgeting the move altogether, getting organized is crucial.
In this article, we’ll go over a comprehensive moving checklist that will cover everything you need to know on how to move to another state, so you can begin to set your roots somewhere new.
Here are some steps you can take to begin the process of leaving Virginia and relocating to a new state. It’s important to make sure you give yourself ample time to get yourself organized. For example, some of these steps, like selling your home, can take a fair amount of time to complete.
Step 1: Visit Your New State
Whether a particular state has piqued your interest or you’ve received a job offer there, before making the move, it’s a good idea to take a short trip and feel the state out a bit. This will help you select the best city you might feel most comfortable in and ensure it has all the things you typically enjoy. Have some questions handy for some residents you might meet. This will give you a feel for what the people and culture will be like, as well.Â
Step 2: Put Your House on the Market
If you rent your home or apartment, it should be fairly easy for you to terminate your lease. If you own your home, the main task you’ll need to accomplish is selling it. Before selling your house in Virginia, it’s important to consult with a realtor and get an estimate of how long it might take to close the sale.Â
While you may want to sell your house fast in Virginia Beach, you don’t want it to sell too quickly either before you’ve solidified the arrangements for your move. More about this later.
Step 3: Research Schools
If you have children, you’ll want to research the best schools in the state or city you plan to move to. For many families, this can be a determining factor for what neighborhood they choose to live in, particularly because many public schools require their students to live within a certain distance. Once you find a school for your kids, be sure to transfer their records over.
Step 4: Find a Place to Live
When relocating to a new state, it’s ideal to have a new home lined up before moving. If you’re still in the process of closing the sale of your home, it’s likely you’ll need to find a place to rent in the meantime. Renting while you allow yourself time to get a feel for the new city is generally a good practice in either case. From there, you can begin the process of finding a reputable realtor who knows the states’ market well and can help you find a new home to buy.
Step 5: Research Your Moving Options
You have a couple of options when it comes to moving all of your belongings across state lines. If you decide to hire professional movers, be sure to research them assiduously until you find a reputable one to ensure your belongings get there safe and sound. Companies associated with the American Moving & Storage Association are preferable.Â
In addition, be sure to confirm the moving date and delivery time as most moving companies can take up to 21 days to deliver your belongings cross-country.
A more cost-effective alternative to hiring a moving company for transferring your belongings can be to hire your own moving truck rental and drive them to the new state yourself. If driving long-distance is less than ideal, consider moving your belongings by renting a portable moving container.Â
Step 6: Make Vehicle Shipping Arrangements
Unless you plan to sell your car before you leave or drive it into your new state, you will need a vehicle shipping service to get it there. Vehicles can be shipped via train, auto transport companies that use open-air carriers, or you can simply hire someone to drive it over for you.
Step 7: Transfer or Cancel Memberships
Most monthly membership programs like the gym or community clubs require at least six months’ notice before transfer or cancellations. After all your relocation expenses, the last thing you need is to be stuck paying for a membership you cannot use.
Step 8: Forward Mail and Transfer Utilities
Contact USPS to schedule a date to begin forwarding mail to your new address. In addition, you’ll want to contact your utility companies for electricity, gas, water, cable, and internet, etc., to cancel or transfer installation to your new address.
As you might be able to tell already, relocating to a new state won’t be cheap. That’s why it’s critical that you establish a clear plan and budget for your move well in advance to ensure you have everything you need.
Budgeting to move to another state is easy if you can clearly lay out each of these costs well in advance and allocate the funds for each. You may have to live somewhat modestly until you’re fully settled, especially if you do not yet have a new job lined up.
If you’re moving for a job opportunity, it’s worth looking into the possibility of them offering relocation assistance. Some companies will provide reimbursement on moving and storage costs, lease termination fees, temporary housing, and more.
Selling your home before relocating to a new state doesn’t have to be a complicated process. It’s a good idea to rely on a realtor to handle the process for you, particularly if you have to be away in your new state while they do it. This will be much more efficient than sending a key in the mail.
Find a real estate agent who knows the market well and can provide you with a recommended action plan as you begin to organize your move. However, there are also options to sell your house without a realtor.
Typically buyers will close on their purchase loan within 40 to 50 days. If you need to get the job done more quickly than that, you can explore the option to sell your house for cash. This can generally take as little as seven days to complete.
When it comes to finding your new location, here are some factors you’ll want to consider:
Have a job lined up. Many individuals relocate for a job opportunity, but you might want to look for one before moving if that’s not the case. This will help you decide on a location if you haven’t already.
Research good schools. Some schools may offer more for your child’s education or interests than others might. Researching them can help you find a desirable neighborhood.
Get educated on crime rates. Get acquainted with which areas have high crime rates and which areas are considered safe.
Research the transfer of professional licenses. If you happen to be a doctor, lawyer, nurse, teacher, realtor, etc., you’ll want to make sure you hold the proper professional licensing requirements, as transfer policies can vary from state to state.
Cost of living. You’ll want to see what the cost of living in a new state might look like and how drastic the differences may be so that you don’t have to compromise on your current lifestyle. In addition, educating yourself on the costs of living can help you negotiate your salary with your employer if you’re relocating for a job opportunity.
Costs of moving to another state will include things like hiring a realtor, mover, or container, shipping your vehicle, and traveling to your new state. These could run you upwards of $5000. In addition to that, you’ll need cushion funds for when you arrive, particularly for the first and last month’s rent, as well as the second realtor that will help find you your new home.
Time, money, and communication are the main logistics you’ll need to consider when relocating to another state. Expect there to be some delays and unexpected roadblocks along the way, and ensure these are accounted for well in advance for a successful move.Â
As you can see, there are many aspects regarding how to move to another state that you’ll need to bear in mind. It’s essential that you organize and plan your relocation far ahead of schedule, and you might expect some unexpected roadblocks along the way. While moving to another state can be a stressful process at times, this ambitious journey is sure to be a rewarding one.
If you’re looking for cash home buyers in Norfolk or other locations in Virginia, we offer a fair price with no hassle. At Avante Home Buyers, we buy houses in Virginia to help you quickly move forward with your life.
Do you want to learn more about how to find buyers for your house in Norfolk? We can help! Give us a call or send us a message today! 866-833-5262
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