Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city can be an intimidating proposition. Even more so here in the Bay Area. Our realty market is unique and a bit of an adjustment, or a shock, especially for home owners who have purchased elsewhere. The time on market for homes is very short here and you have to do much more research in advance of the offer date. You can do it and your agent will show you how. But come in ready to learn, and ready to focus on the tasks at hand, because how it works in Athens, GA, or Austin, or even Chicago for that matter, is a whole lot different than here.
Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible.
Research before you move. It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighborhoods, parking, weather, public transportation, and laws that are native to that area. Each city in the Bay area has their own advantages, weather, quirks and cultures. Talk to co workers and local businesses to get a feel. If you can, visit a city before moving and connect with someone who’s lived there before.
Have a plan. There are a lot of steps to go through before you start packing the moving truck. Find housing before you leave, or at least know where you’ll stay while you look for a home. Never sign a lease or send money on an apartment that you haven’t seen. Check local rents thoroughly. If it sounds too good to be true...it is. Even locals get tripped up on this one. If you can’t get there, find a friend or an employer to check for you. Try to line up things like driver’s licenses, car insurance, renter’s insurance, and parking passes ahead of time as well.
Mind your wallet. City life is expensive. Everything costs more: food, insurance, clothes, rent. There are also a lot more ways to get ripped off, whether legally or criminally. Be careful how you spend, and know where your money is going.
Getting ready to buy a home.
Dedicate your Sundays to touring open homes. Start a file with flyers of the houses you like. Track what they sell for. Focus on final prices - NOT listing prices. This will help you understand how to shop and how to budget , and will help you capture a home you want much faster. The learning curve on pricing strategies here is steep. It's a formula. Don't be intimidated, just be curious. A great agent will mid-wife you through it. Hire an agent that will educate, rather than rush you, so you can learn how it works and feel confident about the decisions you make.
