I work with lots of relocation buyers, and often the lifestyle they are seeking with their move to Southern California is different than what they currently enjoy. I know mine changed when I moved here from the Boston area...at least some aspects of it did.

But sometimes buyers really want to preserve their current lifestyle, to the extent that's possible, when moving to this area.

I created this new LIFESTYLE QUESTIONNAIRE to help folks who are relocating focus a bit more on what their lifestyle is like and those aspects that are important to them. I find that the more I know about what buyers want in a home and neighborhood, including the aspects of their lifestyle that are really important, the better I can be helpful.

The questionnaire does not, of course, include everything, but I think it will help you focus on what is really important. I wold love to have your feedback.

READ the full article with photos here.

You can download the Lifestyle Questionnaire on the Savvy Buyers page of my real estate website.

And feel free to do your home searching there, too, if you are interested in San Diego.

Relocation is tough, and you probably need some help to get through the process.

Here are the highlights of some services you can expect if you are moving to Southern California.

Community information - Here are just a few community profiles in my service area – Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, Cardiff, Solana Beach.

Market Conditions - I provide monthly market reports on communities like Carlsbad, Encinitas and Cardiff but can customize reports for you for any North County San Diego community.

MLS listings

Photos - My Carlsbad Video and Photobloggery which I update regularly has plenty of photos and videos about the area to give you a feel for the San Diego lifestyle.

Videos – one of the best ways to get a feel for a home and the community is through video. Here’s an example of a community video. And here’s one of a listing of mine.

Phone Tour  

Buyers Handbook - the Buyer’s Handbook Summary is on my website on my homepage and can be downloaded at any time.

Websites for research

Help for Sellers Too – check out my

for some helpful information.

Read the full article on my service offerings here.

Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods (including other areas)

Are you a first time home buyer. Check out FIRST TIME BUYER CENTRAL.

If you are getting a relocation package from your new employer there will likely be a number of services provided to you, including relocation assistance, temporary living expenses, and if you own a home, possibly a buyout.

A buyout may be structured in a number of ways depending on the company, it's relocation practices, and the level of your position.

In general, this means you will be given an opportunity to sell your home using an agent (and the relocation company may choose who that person is for you) for a period of time, but if the home does not sell (say within 90 days), the relocation company will buy it. They will typically conduct an appraisal to determine market value, and then the buyout will be a percentage of the market value (maybe 100% if you are an executive, but likely less). Specific terms and conditions will vary from situation to situation.

It is essential to understand the specific terms and conditions of a buyout so you are prepared to move ahead knowing what your options are, and how much money the buyout is worth to you. This can potentially impact your taxes for the following year, the amount of equity you have for a new home, and so on.

If the market is slow a buyout could be a good thing since you may not be able to sell otherwise, but you may also be sacrificing some money, especially if you have not lived in your home for very long.

So do your homework and research.

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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)

Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods (incouding other areas)