Moving out of state is exciting, but it can also be hard. When you buy a home out of state, you can expect to pay more to move and jump through extra hoops. If you’re moving to a new state, here are 10 tips to help you out.
Sell Your Current Home
You know you want to get out of your current state, which means if you own a home, you’ll need to sell it before moving (unless you plan on being a snowbird) – because we’re assuming you’re moving to a warmer state. Although traditionally selling your home can be a long drawn out process, there are new home buying companies that will provide you with an offer on your home, generally within less than one day.
Make a plan
First and foremost, you need to have a plan before you move out of state. Plan out specific dates, including the date you plan on starting your move and the date you need to start your new job when you get settled. Another big part of this is planning the drive to your new home, know the route you want to go so you don’t get lost, have the GPS setup and many of those also inform you of any construction sites along the route.
Downsize (Get rid of Stuff!)
Throwing things away is hard, but it’s a great way to simplify your out-of-state move. Put anything that may not fit in the moving truck up on OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace to offload old furniture, large tables, bed frames, and other items you might not need or want to move to save time on your move – and also make a quick buck to help with moving expenses in the process. Once you get to your new house, you’ll know what items you will need to purchase that didn’t make the cut.
Finding a house and a job
Before you move to another state, make sure you’ve got a house and employment secured. The last thing you want is to be stranded in a new state with no job or no place to live, so get that figured out before moving. If you’re stressing about finding a job, head over to a job site like Career Monster or Indeed – you can upload your resume and blast it out to a large number of companies that are hiring in your new state.
Moving Truck Rental or DIY
You can rent a truck and move on your own, or you can use one of the several out-of-state moving services. While you’ll typically save money by moving everything on your own, you can save precious time by hiring movers or using a moving storage container. Companies like Penske and U-Haul rent moving trucks for one-way moves, which will allow you to make the move and not have to return the truck back to the original rental facility.
Make a budget
Moving can get expensive fast, so make sure you have a budget you can stick to. A budget keeps you from spending too much money during the move, which means you’ve got enough for bills and other moving expenses.
Pack an emergency bag
You never know when you’re going to need a first aid kit, hygiene items or food and drink when you’re on the road. Pack an emergency bag with all the essentials, that way you’ve got what you need even if you have to spend a night in your car.
Getting a new license
When you move to a new state, you have to get a new driver’s license. Take care of this as soon as possible to avoid tickets and ensure you have an ID with a current address.
Update addresses & accounts
Speaking of addresses, you’ll need to do a change of address on any accounts that have your old one. It may be easier to make a list of all the accounts you need to update, that way you can simply check them off your list.
Keep your receipts
Moving expenses can be written off on your tax return, so keep all your receipts so you can write them off at the end of the year. If you’re not interested in tax write-offs, keeping your receipts isn’t a priority.
If you need help finding your dream home or moving out of state, there are lots of resources that can help. Make sure you take advantage of all the available resources to make your next move as simple as possible.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=172
