An informational source for people who are relocating, with a particular focus on moving to the Carlsbad area of North County San Diego (and nearby coastal communities), with advice, guidance and true stories to help you on your way and make it a great journey, from a REALTOR� with plenty of personal (4 major moves, most recently from Boston to Carlsbad, California) and professional relocation experience. Are you running into problems selling your home? Need to find a new one quickly? Never moved before and haven't a clue? You'll find some great tips on how to solve your relocation issues here. Or ask me a question any time and I'll share some solutions or tell you where to get more information.
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In This Age of the Internet, Don't Forget the Phone
Most consumers these days are using the Internet - for reading (newspapers, for example), shopping, making reservations (cars, hotels, air, restaurant), general research on just about any topic, and much more.
You, since you are here, are using it for your house hunting and relocation. Recent studies suggest 70% are doing so - my personal thought is more like 80-85%. It's a great way to learn about a new area that you are thinking of moving to, finding a home, researching schools, and more. I'll be the first one to tell you that using the Internet as part of your house hunting strategy is essential.
But in this age of the Internet, don't forget the phone. Sometimes the best way to get information is to call someone and ask. You can have a dialog, ask specific questions, and sometimes learn more than if you were to only use the Internet. And who knows, you might hook up with the right person to help you in your purchase.
Over the weekend I had calls from some folks in Florida who are moving here, as well as someone in Georgia who was interested in a particular area of Carlsbad that I know well. It's much easier to get specific bits of information in a phone conversation than through email.
Maybe you are not ready to get into a personal interaction with someone on the phone about your move. But don't ignore the value of the personal telephone call to get help when you need it, in addition to your Internet research.
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Best Wishes for a Healthy and Prosperous 2008!!
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A relocation involved a lot of processes, paperwork, and a number of different folks, often more than the typical purchase and sale transaction.
Do YOU know the key to a successful relocation?
It's PEOPLE. Bottom line. And probably the most important person is YOU.
YOU have the most vested interest in the relocation completing successfully. While there are many others who are involved, and each has their own set of responsibilities, you have the ability to make things work most effectively through:
prompt decision-making
on-going communication with the appropriate parties
following-up to make sure things happen when they are supposed to
gathering information and acting on it
asking questions
getting things clarified
taking care of paperwork in a timely manner
keeping a close eye on the calendar and making sure deadlines are met, and so much more.
YOU are the center of attention and everything revolves around you. In reality YOU are the project manager, and the director of the play.
So don't just sit back and expect others to do everything, or just assume that they are. Be proactive, stay in touch, nag if you need to, and always ask for help if necessary.
If you have been reading this blog for a while, or even if you just started, it's obvious that there is a lot to take in regarding relocation. Some information, I'm sure, is more relevant to your situation than others.
I decided to write a series of summary articles on my ActiveRain blog regarding relocation to point buyers and sellers in the right direction during some of the key phases of the process.. the psychological stuff that you have to deal with, getting the home ready for sale, and so on.
My premise, having done this a bunch of times myself, is that relocation is NOT for dummies, and that you really need to have a good idea of what you are doing, and what to expect, in order to make it work. Hopefully these summaries will help you with the major points you probably need to address.
1. The first summary article, Relocation is NOT for Dummies (Part 1) on my ActiveRain blog, tackles some of the psychological and emotional issues that you may have to face - making the decision to move, emotions during the move, and more. Don't overlook this - this stuff happens and it can drive your crazy. And you can expect you WILL have a range of emotions during the process...perhaps some of them not so pleasant.
2. The second article, Relocation is NOT for Dummies (Part 2), addresses some of the issues sellers need to confront regarding selling their home - not everything, but the major highlights.
The next few articles are in process and I will link to them here. Or stop by my ActiveRain blog and read them as soon as they get posted.
If I can answer any specific questions that you have about relocating, please don;t hesitate to ask. it's likely others have the same questions, so I can address them here for everyone to read.
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Do You Know What Your Relocation Company Does for You?
If you are relocating, or may do so in the future, and a relocation company will be involved, it is essential that you understand the role that they will play in your relocation and how this will impact you, financially and otherwise.
Relocation companies operate in different ways, and programs that are offered to transferees will vary depending on the employer and what they authorize, and the specific services the relo company is able to provide.
For example:
Are they paying closing costs on either the buy side, the sell side or both?
Are these costs paid up front by the transferee and then reimbursed, or does the relocation pay these fees directly?
What additional paperwork does the relocation company require during the transaction (e.g., a copy of your signed offer on your current home, the contract on your new home); what records should you keep (e.g., receipts for temporary housing)?
Is the relocation company doing any direct billing for the services they provide or must the transferee pay for these up front?
How is the moving company selected?
Can you select the agent that you wish to work with (for either the buyer and/or sell sides) or is that mandated by the relocation company (however this is determined, your agent(s) will need to work closely with your relocation company to make sure they comply with all requirements.
These are just some of the things you should ask about. Having a written contract and overview of the services, and terms and conditions, is important.
And make sure you have a good contact person who will have knowledge of your transfer and can assist you as needed throughout the transaction.
While signage is not the most critical part of selling your home, it certainly is an essential part of the strategy. I know I have said multiple times that if the price is not right, all the marketing and advertising will not make up for it.
Having effective signage, is, however, necessary in order to gain exposure in this competitive market, and to appeal to as broad a buyer pool as possible.
I just posted an article about using signage effectively, using my most recent Carlsbad home listing as an example, using a multimedia approach to "grab" the attention of buyers and provide information. You can read more about the value of signage here.
I have started to use a new application that I believe will be helpful for both buyers and sellers.
Map My Pix allows me to put photos on a map that are easily viewed by clicking. The viewer not only sees the photo (or a tourist site, home, etc.) but also the location.
I see some great utility and plan to use this is a number of ways for clients.
I will include the map with relevant photos in my on-line listings (check out the first one hereto see the Mapping with Photos in action) for buyers to learn more about my listings
I'm going to start using the mapping in my listing presentation so sellers will see yet another way in which I use technology, and how will use it when I list their home!
My relocation buyers will receive a map with the photos of the homes they will be touring when they meet with me for their house-hunting trip.
I will also share copmmunity profiles and a map with photos of the areas my relocation clients are interested in (e.g.,photos of restaurants, sights, parks)
So you are ready to make an offer on a Carlsbad home (or elsewhere).
Are you new at this? Or do you already know the drill?
Heere are some thoughts on what to expect (keep in mind the process may vary a little bit in different states - but this is how we do it in California).
Another Carlsbad Neighborhood to Consider - Serenata at Aviara
Carlsbad home buyers
If you are considering homes in the Aviara area of Carlsbad, one neighborhood you might want to visit (only if you are looking in the $900K and up range, however), is Serenata.
One option buyers have (and those who are refinancing) is to lock in their interest rate (i.e., so your rate does not change even if the rates for your particular mortgage program shift up).
The mortgage company will quote you a particular rate when you first get pre-approved. This rate MAY or MAY NOT ultimately be the best rate, depending on what rates are doing at the time.
Right now it might be prudent to lock in your rate, since they are the best they have been in about 2 years. But I am not a mortgage professional. So check with YOUR lender to see what they recommend.
A rate lock will usually last up to 45 days (but they vary from program to program), so depending on when closing is scheduled, this may or may not work. Also, if the rates seem to be trending downward, your lender may suggest watching the trends before you pay the fee (if there is one) to lock in.
On the other hand, if rates are expected to go up, or are starting to move in that direction, locking in may get you the best rate NOW and save you some bucks on your monthly payment.
Have you taken a look at the interest rates recently?
If you have been holding off buying, thinking that prices may go down, you might take a serious look at the interest rates.
$ $ $ $ $
Prices are changing in some areas, but not all. But another important financial consideration are the INTEREST RATES. The rates have DIPPED BELOW 6% for fixed rate mortgages, the lowest in 2 years. We don't know where they will go in the future, even with the Feds recently cutting the rate another 1/4 point.
Even if prices drop a bit, if the rates go up, you could lose out on the best combination of home price and monthly payment that we've seen. And it may be THE TIME for you to refinance your current mortgage as well.
Talk to your mortgage professional to see if NOW is the best time to make that move.
Does Your Relocation Package Include Closing Costs?
If you have a relocation package with your new employer, there are a number of possible components that can impact your move, and that you should check on.
Another item that may be covered in your relocation package are CLOSING COSTS.
You might have these paid for on the sale of your home, but perhaps also at the buy side of the transaction. Check to see if either is the case, since this may have an impact on what you negotiate for on the sale or purchase of your home. It may also impact what you can afford.
For example, some sellers will offer to pay a portion of your closing costs when they counter offer YOUR offer. This doesn't do you any good if you are getting the closing costs paid for. So something else might need to negotiated as part of your agreement to buy the home which can be to your benefit, say a lower price.
Knowing ALL the details of your relocation package is critical so you are prepared.
Carlsbad Home Sellers - Your FIRST Open House is On-Line
Maybe you already know this. But I bet many of you have not thought about it in this way.
As a seller of a Carlsbad home (or anywhere, for that matter), your FIRST open house is on-line...don't forget it, OR underestimate the power of what I just told you.
In this day and age of Internet marketing, unless your agent is in a cave, you should have plenty of exposure to the buying public on-line. It's the first place buyers generally look for homes, and so it is where they will gain a FIRST IMPRESSION of your home.
Is your Carlsbad home really ready for that open house?
I wrote an article directed more toward agents, but the same information applies to sellers. You and your agent have to work as a team to prepare for that FIRST OPEN HOUSE (as an example, some of the photos I have seen on-line for homes are pretty scary - who would want to go see THAT house?!).
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Most consumers these days are using the Internet - for reading (newspapers, for example), shopping, making reservations (cars, hotels, air, restaurant), general research on just about any topic, and much more..jpg)
But in this age of the Internet, don't forget the phone. Sometimes the best way to get information is to call someone and ask. You can have a dialog, ask specific questions, and sometimes learn more than if you were to only use the Internet. And who knows, you might hook up with the right person to help you in your purchase.
If you have been reading this blog for a while, or even if you just started, it's obvious that there is a lot to take in regarding relocation. Some information, I'm sure, is more relevant to your situation than others.
While signage is not the most critical part of selling your home, it certainly is an essential part of the strategy. I know I have said multiple times that if the price is not right, all the marketing and advertising will not make up for it.
Carlsbad home buyers
Maybe you already know this. But I bet many of you have not thought about it in this way. .jpg)
I wrote an article directed more toward agents, but the same information applies to sellers. You and your agent have to work as a team to prepare for that FIRST OPEN HOUSE (as an example, some of the photos I have seen on-line for homes are pretty scary - who would want to go see THAT house?!).