8 Viable Tactics to Selling Your Home and Moving Out of State

Gearing up for a big move requires a ton of planning. Especially for those that are crossing state borders and relocating far away, it’s a big deal. Throw selling your home on top of everything, and you have yourself a major project coming up. With so many moving parts, it’s important to put a large portion of your focus on getting your home sold. If that doesn’t happen, sometimes the move can’t either.

Here are 8 detailed tactics to make the process of selling your home and moving out of state less stressful.

1. List Your Home at the Right Price

A common pitfall homeowners face when selling is misjudging their home’s value. The real estate market fluctuates all the time. Accurately pricing your home is very important to do the right way. List your price too high, and potential buyers might immediately pass. On the other hand, if you undervalue your property, you’re essentially gifting a portion of its worth to the buyer.

Finding the sweet spot of your initial listing price is a challenge. Houses can sit on the market for weeks, which could derail your moving plans, especially when listed too high. Start by diligently researching the local market. Compare your home to similar properties in your area that have recently sold.

Get additional eyeballs on your analysis by working with a professional real estate agent. Their expertise and nuanced understanding of local trends can be very helpful when determining value. Between your combined research and thoughts on the market, you can pinpoint the perfect starting price for your home before moving to another state.

2. Staging & Cleaning

When you’re trying to sell a product, presentation is everything. If you were a buyer, would a messy, cluttered home appeal to you? Most likely not. Your home should be a canvas upon which potential buyers can paint their future.

To start, consider cleaning your home if there are dust bunnies hiding along the trim of your walls. Although it may not appear very dirty to you, certain buyers may be extremely detail-oriented. Even if there is dust on the windowsill, buyers may notice it. Little things like this could turn them off. Talk to your real estate agent to determine who will pay for the cleaning costs before listing your home on the market. Deep cleans are almost always worth doing before putting your home out for sale.

Professional staging is another tool to consider when preparing to move out of state and sell your property. Staging can transform your living space into a home that any buyer would dream of. If you’re on a tight budget, there are small steps you can take that will still help the home shine. For example, rearranging the furniture can transfer a property by highlighting different parts of the layout. Remember, you want buyers to walk in and immediately imagine their lives unfolding there.

3. Digital Marketing

Gone are the days when a “For Sale” sign on your lawn was enough to attract buyers. In our tech-driven society, online visibility is vital. Platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia can amplify your reach to a vast audience. But wait, there’s more.

Investing in professional photographs can showcase your home in the best light. More buyers are beginning their home shopping online before doing anything else. Your home’s online presence shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Considering the global shift towards remote work, virtual tours are becoming increasingly popular. If you don’t feel like paying for formal staging, consider the digital realm. Staging a home virtually can help it generate more online interest from buyers browsing on their phones. This can be what attracts additional buyers that are out-of-state or even international. Let your property shine online to ensure you can move out of state and sell your home on time.

4. Pre-Inspection to Seal the Deal

Many home sellers dread the inspection. It’s a time that often brings unforeseen issues to the surface. Sadly, it can complicate the selling process and is not always avoidable. What if you could be a step ahead?

Consider performing a pre-inspection on your home to get a clear picture of your property’s condition. Be proactive vs reactive. This approach allows you to either fix potential problems before listing or adjust your asking price to reflect those issues. It’s all about transparency. When buyers know what they’re getting into from the start, they’re more likely to trust the process and make a confident offer.

5. Plan Your Move in Advance

While moving out of state and selling one home, you’re also transitioning to another. Some relocations are hundreds of miles away. This is not the time for last-minute packing and planning. Research reputable moving companies that specialize in out-of-state transitions.

Purge what you don’t need. This can both reduce moving costs and give you a fresh start in your new place. The lighter you are, the easier it is to move to a different state.

• Pro Tip: familiarize yourself with your new state’s tax implications and any other pertinent regulations. By ensuring everything is in order before you hit the road, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother resettlement.

6. Hire Local Expertise

No one knows the local market better than the locals. Hiring a local real estate agent will help avoid prolonged listing periods. Avoid having your property sit on the market for weeks by finding the right agent. They know the community better than anyone. If buyers have certain preferences of homes in particular neighborhoods, they can make sure your property fits them.

Real estate agents also have big networks they can leverage. If you’re lucky, they can connect you with potential buyers early on, which will speed up the sale. They can also recommend local contractors for any needed repairs before listing or after inspection. Think of them as your local real estate guide, helping you navigate the twists and turns of selling and then moving.

7. Be Ready for Negotiations

Negotiation is an inevitable part of the selling process. We all want our initial listing price to be the final sale price, but reality often paints a different picture. Instead of being caught off guard, it’s best to be prepared.

Identify your bottom line with your real estate agent when launching your listing. What’s the lowest offer you’re willing to accept? Familiarize yourself with common negotiation tactics and strategies. Some buyers might ask for contingencies based on mortgage approvals, inspections, or the sale of their own home. Others might ask you to cover closing costs or request repairs after an inspection.

Anticipate these potential scenarios and be flexible yet firm. You can navigate the negotiation phase with confidence and clarity when you have a solid realtor as your teammate.

8. The Emotional Side of Selling

Selling a home and moving out of state isn’t just a financial transaction. It is a major transaction filled with emotions. This house might be the place where you built lasting memories. Moving on from a property is oftentimes emotionally challenging. Home sellers should mentally prepare for this process.

Take time to say goodbye to your home. Walk through each room and reminisce about the memories. Consider taking photos or writing down memories to carry with you. Although it is the end of a chapter, it is also the start of a fresh one. Moving to a completely different state and selling a home is a major life switch that can bring on exciting times for you and your family.

Selling Your Property and Moving to Another State

The process of selling a home and relocating out of state is a multifaceted journey. It combines logistics, market savviness, and emotional intelligence. Go in with a well-rounded strategy to avoid as much stress as possible. Taking the leap to move out of state and start anew is as exhilarating as it is challenging. Enjoy the journey and safe travels.

About the author: The above “8 Viable Tactics to Selling Your Home and Moving Out of State” was written by Alex Capozzolo. Alex runs the Brotherly Love Real Estate website, acquisitions, and internal systems of the business.

About Rochester’s Real Estate Blog: Rochester’s Real Estate Blog is owned and operated by Kyle Hiscock of the Hiscock Sold Team at RE/MAX Realty Group.

Since being launched in 2013, Kyle has published more than 150 quality, in-depth, and unique real estate related articles on the Rochester Real Estate Blog pertaining to topics varying from home selling to mortgages and everything in between!  In addition to quality real estate related content, there are also many quality articles pertaining to the Greater Rochester NY area.

The Rochester Real Estate Blog has been recognized by many reputable websites as one of the best real estate blogs to visit and follow!  In addition to being recognized as one of the best real estate blogs, Kyle has been recognized as one of the top Realtors on social media by several organizations and websites.

The Hiscock Sold Team has almost 50 years of combined experience, so if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.