Moving to a new home is a major milestone, so it is obviously not a decision that should be taken lightly. Sometimes, life circumstances force us to relocate. Perhaps you’ve got a new job and the commuting from your current location doesn’t pay off. Or you can’t afford to live in the same neighbourhood anymore. Maybe you are planning on expanding your family and your current home isn’t big enough for more members. Regardless of the reasons behind your relocation, it is imperative to think about all the important factors which could have an impact on your satisfaction. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you make that important step.
Moving to a new home
What’s the new neighbourhood like?
Let’s face it, you can live in a gigantic villa, with a backyard pool, but if the neighbourhood is bad, you will be unhappy. There are several things you need to consider when it comes to moving to a new home:
- Safety is the first thing to have in mind. Just check with your real estate agent or Google whether there is a lot of crime in a certain neighborhood.
- The cost of living will determine the actual purchase power of your paycheck.
- Proximity to schools is important if you have kids, while proximity to healthcare institutions is valuable in general.
- Opportunities for fun, recreation and hobbies should also be considered.
How much money do you need for relocation?
To determine the sum you need, first you need to evaluate how much you actually have and then establish a relocation budget which will include packing materials, truck rental, insurance, etc. Also, you should count in the living expenses for the first couple of months, in case you are in search of an employment and without constant cash influx.
Should you hire movers or move on your own?
Moving to a new home? Do it yourself or hire professionals?
Self-move is reasonable only when you’re moving a short distance, you don’t have a lot of stuff, and you have a lot of friends to help you. Otherwise, you should hire a reliable moving company. In order to be aware of the total cost of the relocation from the very beginning, you should ask your movers for an accurate estimation of the costs of moving.
What to take with you when moving to a new home?
A new home is new for a reason – you shouldn’t take all of your old possessions with you. Any old worn out furniture you won’t use in your new house should be either thrown away or given to charity. The same goes for clothes, accessories and other things you will not need in your new home. Things you take with you should be either practical or highly sentimental. If you have some stuff in good shape that you don’t need, you can organize a garage sale.
Does your new home have everything you need?
It is almost impossible to find a property that has everything you want, but the most important thing is that it has everything you need. Of course, you won’t move into a house without a bathroom, but a house without a pool will work fine. You should also check for other useful features such as energy-efficient lighting, quality commercial UV systems for water purification, proper insulation, air conditioning and air filtration systems, and more
Will you be happy there?
Finally, the question above all others: will you actually be happy there? The answer to this question depends on many different variables, and many of them are purely irrational. Do you have friends and family living nearby? Is this even an important factor to you? Can you make friends easily? Do you like the neighbourhood? Does it feel right to you? At the very least, you can see whether you like the restaurant scene, leisure activities, nightlife and tourist attractions.
After you have answered all of these questions, you will see the pros, cons and how-to’s of your potential relocation much clearer. It is never a good idea to rush into decisions as big as changing the place you call home.
Before you even buy a new home, check out how much the Closing Costs are in Winnipeg.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
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