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Relocation

Moving from one home to another can be very stressful. Moving from one town to another can be even more stressful because of all of the unknown factors. Bonnie has relocated here from Pittsburgh and knows how to make your move easier. She is committed to going the extra step to meet your needs. She has aggressively pursued every option to become an integral part of the Myrtle Beach community. She is committed to meeting her client’s expectations and needs.

As a resident of Myrtle Beach, Bonnie can help you with your concerns and questions on schools, market conditions, taxes, ordinances, zoning regulations, health care, and any other questions and/or concerns you may have. She can also give you an overview of the neighborhoods, shopping, jobs, churches, etc. in a specific area.

Her specialty is relocation, and she knows the area! She has experienced the feelings and concerns you have. Bonnie embraces the convenience of technology without losing the personal touch. You'll love the resources available on this website which provide demographic, school, and neighborhood info on communities throughout the country!

Familiarize yourself with the area and figure out where you'd like to live. Bonnie can provide you with a FREE personalized package with community information, school information, and more. Go to the recourse center and click on free reports for a list of many useful free reports.

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Free Relocation Guide
http://www.myrtlebeachinfo.com/vacplan/relorequs.html

Make a List of Your Wants and Needs

Make this list before you shop so you will not overlook things you need and make an emotional decision. Then you will have a good idea of what you need and you can decide if you can afford the extra things you would like to have.

Define your reasons for purchasing a home/condo. Are you planning to move to a new community for the schools or to be closer to your job? Is buying an option or a requirement? What amenities would you like in your new home? What does your future lifestyle hold, are you starting a family or will the children be leaving? How many bedrooms will you need now and in the future? Do you have a purchasing timeframe? Would you like a resale, fixer-upper or new property? How close to shopping and restaurants or the ocean, do you want to be? Do you want brick or vinyl? Do you want a yard? Do you want to be near piers, Intracoastal Waterway access, etc.?

Determining what you need and then comparing it to all of the extras you want, will make the decision process go a lot more smoothly and will also keep you on track.

For assistance in organizing your wants and needs, click the link below to open our Needs vs. Wants Checklist:

Wants vs Needs

 

Does the move up make sense?

There are some things you need to consider before you move:

  • Equity – Check with you mortgage lender to find out how much equity you have in your home. This will help you determine your budget.
  • Income – Do you have enough to cover the expenses of a down payment, closing costs and a new mortgage on top of all the expenses involved in moving?
  • Location – Will you have to leave your current neighborhood because it no longer suits your needs?
  • Additions or Upgrades – Would it make more sense to remodel or add on to your current home?
  • Market Strength – If the market is hot you could get more for you home?
  • Interest Rates – Lower interest rates mean more home for less money and makes it easier to find a buyer.

Should I sell or rent my house when I move?

Deciding to sell or rent is a very hard decision. Here are some points to consider:

  • Finances – Will you be able to make a down payment on a new home without selling the old one? Some owners choose to refinance the old home for a down payment.
  • Sentimental Value – Some people will keep a home because of family or memories or even individualized upgrades.
  • Returning to the area - A recent tax law correction has changed the two-year waiting period for capital gains exemption for work-related moves. You can now take a prorated exemption. If you stay only one year before moving again (50% of the time limit), you can claim up to 50% of the maximum exemption.
  • Two mortgages – Even if the rental income will cover the mortgage, you need to be able to pay both mortgages. The home could be vacant or a problem could develop with the tenants. The home also my need unexpected repairs. Because of all of these factors, many lending institutions will consider only three fourths of the rental income as real income.
  • Managing the Property – If you are a long distance away you may need to hire a professional to manage the property for you. They would assist in finding tenants, writing lease agreements, rental rates, maintenance and supervise repairs.

Remember to be pre-approved for a loan before you start looking for a home. You need to know how much you can afford to spend for a house.

Advantages of Buying a Used House

The National Association of Realtors say that 75% of homes are used homes. Research has show that transferees can benefit from buying a used home because of the high resale value in today’s economy. There is a great deal more diversity in sizes and styles of homes in the resale market. Here are some advantages of older homes:

  • Size Appeal
    Many older homes have more square feet of space. Room can be larger and ceiling higher. The lot sizes can also be larger.
  • Location Convenience
    Often older homes are in areas that older and well developed. Shopping, business districts and other conveniences are generally close by. New home communities are usually further from the city limits and have longer commute times.
  • Cost Savings
    Sellers of an older home will have more room to negotiate on the price. Builders of new homes have to recoup the money they spent on building supplies and land while remaining competitively priced. A 1991 study by the National Association of Realtors revealed sellers of used homes accepted a median drop of $4,000 from their asking price while builders’ median drop was only $500.
  • More Green Space
    Used homes usually have mature trees and shrubs in the neighborhood. Sometimes a new developer will clear cut the land before beginning to build a neighborhood.
  • Established Neighborhoods
    With older homes you can tour the community and talk to neighbors, visit schools that have a history of their performance. Often new neighborhoods have lots of construction still taking place, so there may not be many neighbors yet. Shopping centers are typically further away. School may be either far away or new with no performance history.
  • Lots of Extras
    Many re-sale homes have been upgraded with little extras. These could include fenced yards, pools, window treatments, landscaping and more.

Things to Avoid in New Homes

Buying a new home is exciting when you get to decide what extras you would like. There are things that could make your home harder to sell. Some of the things you should avoid are here:

  • Stick to the Facts
    Don’t get so excited about a bathroom that you forget a place has tiny closets. Compare floor plans and room sizes with your current home and any others you are considering.
  • Look at the Location
    Ask the builder in a new community where he has built other communities. Look at different neighborhoods and compare how builders price the same home in other communities. Try to find out how quickly homes like the one you’re are considering are selling for and are sellers making a profit.
  • See WhatThey’re Selling
    Ask the builder if there is a model home available for you to inspect. Look closely for things that may be inconvenient or problematic. Check to make sure doors and windows open and close correctly. Inspect the overall construction quality.
  • Add Up the Options
    Remember that more options will increase the price of the home and may make more difficult to resale. But be sure to include all the basics to ensure resale value.

Be sure to have the home inspected by professional inspectors during construction and again before closing. Have your attorney read your purchase contract before you sign it.

How do I decide if relocating for a job is wise?

When relocating consider the differences in the cost of living in the new area. You will need to compute housing costs, taxes, cost of food, clothing, home repair and maintenance. Other factors to include are transportation expenses, medical care, recreation and daycare. Simply call me or send an e-mail and I can help you find the answers you need.

Helpful Hints for Childcare

When relocating with children you have to take their needs into consideration. These tips are designed to ease the stress on you and your children during the transition. Children often need to find new daycare with a minimum of disruption. We suggest these tested tips when investigating new childcare options:

  • Make a List
    Make a list of qualities you want and need from a provider, like hours of care, size of group, location, costs and physical setting.
  • Contact Agencies
    Contact local government childcare and social service agencies to find out about childcare licensing standards and programs available.
  • Schedule Appointments
    Schedule appointments to visit providers. Visit alone the first time to discuss fees and to observe the children, the program and the caregiver without distractions.
  • Get References
    Ask for (and follow up on) references from parents who have used the provider. Would they send their child there again? What were their likes and dislikes?
  • Examine Policies
    Request information about the provider’s policies, procedures and responsibilities.
  • Go Back Again
    Revisit the provider with the child to see how the child and provider get along.
  • Be Involved
    Choose the program you and your children are most comfortable with. Remember to be involved with the provider and monitor the situation carefully.

Relocation Considerations for Single Parents

  • Help on Moving Day
    Call your friends and family to help on moving day, arrange for extra time off work to reduce stress.
  • Legal Custody
    Even custodial parents can be charged with kidnapping if the child is taken to another state. Contact your lawyer before deciding to move.

I’m moving by myself. What do you recommend? Whether your move is across town or across the country – as a single person, a single parent, or a spouse whose partner is out to sea or on assignment while making a move – you meet special challenges. That's simply because you don't have the support, sounding board and extra set of hands most couples have when they move. Since you're doing it all, don't forget to take care of yourself.

  • Write Down Your Anxieties
    Moving creates a lot of stress, writing down your worries lets you face them and move on.
  • Anticipate Extra Time
    It take considerably more time for one person to pack and unpack, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to accomplish your tasks.
  • Make as Many Pre-Move Trips as Possible
    When moving to another area, you should plan to take several short trips or a long one to line up doctors, utilities, banks, and other services.
  • Reach Out to New Friends
    Try to make a few new contacts by getting out in the community, meet neighbors and make some new friends.
  • Invite Company to Join You
    Ask a friend or relative to stay and help you, try to plan your move at a time that is convenient for them.

What do you suggest if I have to close a real estate deal from a distance?

If you are unable to be at the closing of a real estate transaction, simply call your attorney. They can draw up a power of attorney form to allow a third party to represent you.

What do I do if I can’t move into my new house for quite some time?

If you are not going to be in your new house for a period of time you should consider and extended stay suite. These are generally larger than most hotel accommodations and can make you stay a little more comfortable. Some companies assist with the cost of these suites when transferring to a new location.

Special Services Available

Different levels of accommodations are available even when the units are similar. Some extended-stay providers include furniture delivery and cable hook-ups, deluxe furnishings, kitchen utensils and dishes, and full housekeeping, while others offer a range of services on a cafeteria-style basis. Also, some providers will bill the employee’s company directly and will tailor leases to the time actually needed. Call or e-mail us about extended-stay facilities we know.

Tips for Holding a Yard Sale

Hold a yard sale to reduce the clutter in your home and get rid of items you don’t want to move.

  • Check with your city government to see if you need a permit or license.
  • See if neighbors want to participate and have a “block” sale to attract more visitors.
  • Advertise. Put an ad in free classified papers, and put up signs and balloons at major intersections and in stores near your home.
  • Price items ahead and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, yard sales are supposed to be bargains, so don’t try to sell anything of significant value this way.
  • Check items before the sale to be sure you haven’t including something you want by mistake.
  • Keep pets away from the sale.
  • Display everything neatly and individually so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.
  • Have an electrical outlet so buyers can test appliances.
  • Have plenty of bags and newspaper for wrapping fragile items.
  • Get enough change, and keep a close eye on your cash.