So, you have made the decision to move to the Carolinas....Charlotte, Waxhaw, Matthews, Fort Mill, Ballantyne, Baxter Village, Tega Cay, etc!?! What an exciting decision for you! NOW WHAT!?
I totally understand and have helped many a family make the great move to the Carolinas from all over the USA and even overseas (Germany!! Singapore!! Amsterdam!!)....while it is a lot of work, some stress and tons of excitement.....what to do first is always the biggest question.....how do we start the process?? What steps need to occur before you can actually call the Carolinas HOME!!
The first thing to figure out is what you need to do in your current location. Do you have a lease? If so, find out the terms of your agreement and fees associated with breaking it if needed. Do you have a home to sell? Call a local Realtor to come out and give you a comparative market analysis (CMA) and give you steps you need to take before listings it. I have a great network of agents all over the US, so please let me know if you would like a great recommendation of an agent in your area to assist you with getting your home sold. Do you have a job lined up? Start looking for positions available in your field and submitting applications. It is very difficult to get a loan without employment, so that is a must before taking such a big leap. Are you transferring with a company? See what benefits your employer is offering you for your move such as mortgage expenses, help with selling your home and more.
Second....I highly recommend that you contact a lender to get pre-qualified for a loan. It has never been more important than it is now to get pre-qualified as soon as possible. Some buyers have items on their credit that must be cleared up before they can obtain a mortgage so it is important to clear this up quickly so you can move ahead with an offer the moment you find the home of your dreams. Another reason that this is so important is that most sellers are requiring that a buyer be pre-qualified with a lender before visiting their home for a showing. If you need a great recommendation, contact Geoff Brown with New American Mortgage by calling 704-728-6286 or email at geoff.brown@newamerican.com. We have worked together for 4+ years now, and he is able to have a full approval within 12-14 days which is quick in this market.
Third....you will need to make a decision on what area of Charlotte you would like to live. What is important to you? Schools, property taxes, proximity to work, community with a pool, active adult community, convenience to the lake....there are many reasons that people decide on a location, so decide what is important to you. You can visit my website to see more information about the area on the left hand side.
Fourth....based on the price you have been pre-qualified for from the lender, you will need to decide what type of home you are looking for. Do you want a single family home with a garage or would you be more comfortable with a townhome? How many bedrooms and bathrooms are needed? Do you want your master on the main floor or upstairs? All of these items will be good to discuss with your family ahead of time so that when you start to actually look at homes you will have a clear idea of what is important to everyone.
Finally, you need to find a local Realtor who has your best interests at heart and knows the area inside and out. When I talk to a new client, we establish a location....search criteria and budget....timeline for the move as well as anything of importance. Once I know that information, I am able to set up a search on the MLS to send listings to match those needs as they become available. Whether the buyer is one week from buying to 3 years from buying, I do not mind setting this up. By getting this information, the buyer is able to view details of a home, virtual tours, maps, school information and more. This is extremely helpful when doing research from across the miles and also sets the tone for what homes we will view upon their arrival for a home search (which is by far my FAVORITE part of the process!).
I would love the opportunity to work with you on your relocation to the area. Read my past blog post about why you should hire me to represent you as your agent!! If you are relocating with your company and they provide you with a Realtor, I am able to accept all relocations, so please ask me and I can help you with the process.
Wishing you success in your move to the Carolinas!! Let me know how I can assist you with any part of the process. I promise it will all be worth it once you have arrived and are settled!
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