Top 10 Tips for Buying a House Out of State and Important Factors to Consider Before Making a Purchase
Are you wondering how to buy a home out of state? Have you been looking for a resource to help you navigate the world of interstate moving?
Understanding how to purchase a house out of state can be a difficult process and finding a straight answer can be even harder.
This guide will walk you through the key steps you need to take to ensure a smooth move.
Read on to discover 9 tips on buying a house in another state.
Table of Contents
- How Do I Buy a House Out of State? First, You Need the Right Agent
- 9 Additional Tips on How to Buy a House Out of State
- Planning a Move to Oregon or Washington? Let the Experts at Hoag Real Estate Take Care of the Details
How Do I Buy a House Out of State? First, You Need the Right Agent
Buying a home out of state can be a difficult process and things can go south quickly if you do not have a good expert on your side. Finding the right real estate agent is important.
Hoag Real Estate is your source for professional, experienced real estate agents. We have been in operation for over 30 years for a good reason — we know what we are doing and we care about our clients. We have lived and worked in the Portland area for years.
Not only do we know all about buying a home out of state, we know the market and we are here to help you every step of the way.
The value of having the right agent is not to be underestimated. This is the most vital step in buying a house in a different state because:
- A good agent offers representation, they have your best interest in mind and will fight to protect it.
- Your agent knows what to look for and what to avoid — they are your eyes and ears when you cannot be there in person.
- A local agent knows the area and can help you find a home in a part of town that fits you well.
Choosing a professional and experienced real estate agent, such as a member of our team here at Hoag Real Estate, gives you the peace of mind you need to make an excellent home choice.
How Do I Find a Real Estate Agent in Another State?”
When looking for a real estate agent in another state, be sure to do your research. Do not hesitate to interview multiple agents before making your selection.
Since you are buying out of state, you will have to rely on your agent more than in other buying situations.
Spend time looking into local realtors. If you have family or friends in the area you are moving to, ask them for advice.
Interview multiple agents and go with your gut.
Make sure you select someone you trust to help you navigate the world of buying a house out of state.
9 Additional Tips on How to Buy a House Out of State
Before you start the process, you should know Hoag Real Estate’s tips on buying a house in another state.
#1: Know Before You Go
Before you take the plunge and decide on a state and city, be sure you do research on the area.
Some important things to consider include:
- Local cost of living
- Quality of the local school system
- Property tax rates
- Average closing costs
- Local attractions
- The job market
- Anything that is specifically important to you
Doing your research allows you to make a plan and have an idea of what you want and where you are going.
Some great resources for finding the information you need, along with general information about your new city, include:
- City website — most cities have a website that shares details and events.
- Local news outlets — read articles by local news outlets and try tuning in to local TV stations.
- Google Maps — use Google Maps to get the lay of the land and get a feel for how far things are from your preferred neighborhood.
- Residents groups on social media — join a Facebook group or look up your new city on Nextdoor and get to know the locals.
#2: Get Pre-Approved With a Local Lender
Before setting your heart on your new address, get to know your financing options and get in contact with a local lender.
Go through the steps and secure a pre-approval status to help the whole lending process progress smoothly.
#3: Visit Your New State and Tour Homes
If you are able, take a trip to your new state and spend some time touring homes with your agent. Get a feel for the homes and neighborhoods in the area.
Spend some time in the city. Take a walk downtown and spend an afternoon in the local mall. If you haven’t already chosen a home, take a walk or drive through a few different neighborhoods. Note what you like and what you dislike.
Getting to know your new community is an important step in finding a great new home out of state.
What Happens if You Can’t Tour Homes Personally?
Choosing a home without touring them first is not ideal. Not only do you have less of an idea of what you are getting into, but sellers are also less likely to accept an offer from a buyer that has yet to see the property since these sales tend to fall through more often.
You should do all you can to personally tour potential homes.
If that is out of the question, your fallback ought to be your agent, which is another reason why it is so important to choose an excellent one. Thanks to modern technology, video tours and calls can help assist you in viewing properties before you purchase them.
#4: Gather Information About Your Chosen Home
Again, this is where having a great agent comes in. You can do some research on your chosen property but there is only so much you can find out on your own.
Your agent will look into the property history and make sure there is nothing concerning. They can check on insurance claims, legal records, and more.
#5: Make an Offer
Once you have set your mind on a property, it is time to make an offer and secure your dream home.
Your agent will work with you to find a figure that works for all parties and will help you make the offer. Once the offer has been made, and the process is moving forward, it is time to begin arranging property inspections.
#6: Arrange Property Inspections
The next step is to have the property inspected. Your agent can help you find a quality, reputable inspector but the inspection fees will be yours to pay.
Your inspector will help you find any areas of the home that need to be repaired and can assist you in making your final decision.
While it is certainly best to personally attend the inspection, it is not mandatory and might not be possible if you live in another state. If you cannot attend, your agent will.
After the inspection, your agent can share the report with you and discuss the next steps. If the inspection turned up significant findings, you may be able to talk the seller into fixing them or dropping the price.
It is important to note that, if multiple interested parties are willing to proceed and pay the asking price and without fixing the issues, you may lose your shot at the property.
If you choose to move forward, you might need to find a local contractor to work on any repair needs that the inspector found.
#7: Find a Reputable Long-Distance Mover
Moving to a different state in an intense project and driving across the county in a moving van is rarely an ideal situation.
Before your move, look into reputable long-distance movers who can handle your move and make the process simpler.
#8: Attend the Remote Closing
Similar to an in-person closing, a remote closing must take place before you are the official owner of your new home.
You will upload and sign documents and have a video call with the notary.
At this time you are expected to pay the closing costs via wire or electronic transfer so you should contact your financial institution ahead of time to make sure everything is all clear.
This is also when you need to purchase your homeowner’s insurance policy. You want to have that new home covered the moment you take possession of it.
#9: Make Final Preparations
The last step before you officially move to your new state is to take care of all the little details such as:
- Changing your mailing address
- Registering to vote
- Getting a new driver’s license
- Changing banks (or notifying your current one of your change of address)
- Anything else you know you need to take care of before you leave town
Planning a Move to Oregon or Washington? Let the Experts at Hoag Real Estate Take Care of the Details
Moving out of state doesn’t have to be a difficult and painful process. With the right real estate agents at your back, it can be a breeze.
If you are looking to move to Oregon or Washington, let Hoag Real Estate take the guesswork out of the process. With over 30 years of experience and vast knowledge of the area, Hoag Real Estate is the team you are looking for.
We make buying a home out of state simple by handling most of the process and coaching you through the rest of it. From your first call to the final signature, Hoag Real Estate can help you make your dreams of buying a house out of state a reality.
Hoag Real Estate is here to help you get into your dream home. Contact us today.