How to Buy a Home Out of State

Blog posted On October 10, 2019

Any move can be stressful, but moving out of state comes with added intricacies.  Whether you’re moving for a career change, family reasons, or a change of scenery, your new home purchase should not be something to worry about.  Follow these steps to simplify your next big out-of-state move.

Work with a Local Agent

Your Realtor or real estate agent will advocate for your best interests.  You may love the agent you worked with for your previous home, but if they aren’t familiar with the area where you are moving, they are not the right agent for your next home.  You can still ask for an introduction to a local agent.  Many real estate firms and brokerages have offices nationwide, and your previous agent may be able to introduce you to someone in another office.  If you have to find your own agent, look for an agent who is a relocation specialist.

Ask Every Question

There is no such thing as a “stupid question!”  Your agent is there to answer all of your questions.  Even if you’ve bought or sold a home before, some parts of the transaction change from state to state.  Earnest money ranges anywhere from a few hundred dollars to 10% of the purchase price of the home, depending on the state.  The timing of the inspections may vary, in some states it must occur before going into contract, and in others it happens afterward.   

Get Multiple Opinions

Hopefully, you will be able to visit the home in-person before making an offer.  Depending on your circumstances, you may have to rely on video tours through Skype or FaceTime from your agent, or professional videos showcasing the home in its best light.  If you have friends, family, or coworkers in the area, see if someone can stop by the home for you.  You may be able to see everything through a video tour, but you’ll miss any unsettling smells or sounds that you would take in on an actual visit to the property.

Try to Attend the Inspection

If your travel time is limited, be sure to attend the home inspection.  Although inspection reports will come with pictures, talking through potential problems with the inspector will give you a better understanding of any issues the home may have.  Is this easily fixed?  Is this a deal breaker?  Will this require a renegotiation?  You can learn a lot from the home inspector. 

Remote Closings are Possible

If you can only attend the inspection or the closing, choose the inspection.  Remote closings are becoming increasingly common, especially with more and more remote workers.  When you work with a national title company, you can visit your local office to sign off on important paperwork you can’t sign online.

Moving out of state shouldn’t be any more complicated than moving down the street.  Partnering with the Realtor or real estate agent makes this move easier.  We operate in all 50 cities and the District of Columbia, so we’d be happy to help with the mortgage financing wherever you choose to move!

Sources: Realtor.com