When you know you are moving, immediately contact the relocation manager at your base and access the military resources available on the Internet, especially the web site MilitaryOneSource. This site will help you learn everything you need to know about your new base, and then some.

The Right Agent
In contrast to real estate agents who basically work for the seller, buyer broker agents work on the homebuyer’s behalf, helping families to make informed decisions. Buyer broker’s services can include:
1. explanation of property regulations and financing alternatives,
2. access to all homes on the market, including those “For Sale by Owner,”
3. research of comparable properties,
4. access to full disclosure of the property history,
5. disclosure of defects in the home(s) and recommending inspections,
6. negotiations with the seller on your behalf while keeping your financial information confidential.

A buyer broker’s community expertise and property insight can be very helpful to the homebuyer.

Prequalifying and Preapproval
To expedite a home purchase, become preapproved before you shop, your banker can explain this relatively easy and inexpensive process. By shopping mortgages first, you will have a more realistic idea of the terms and conditions that are available, as well as the amount of money for which you qualify and it definitely improves your bargaining power with sellers.

Do not disclose your timing to buy (even if you are in a hurry) and never disclose your financial information. At the same time, if you can learn the seller’s situation (whether they are eager to move or if they need the funds for a down payment) you may have more negotiation leverage.

Home Inspections and Home Warranties
More than 40 percent of previously owned homes on the market have at least one serious defect so a home inspection is a prudent exercise for any homebuyer. Call several inspection firms for prices and lists of their services and select an inspector based on experience, not on price alone. Inspections are an important part of home purchases so plan to accompany the inspector and take notes. For older homes, it is definitely a good idea to hire a professional building inspector to check the home’s structure and appliances, plus check for lead or radon problems. If the inspector suggests further research on any part of the home, you would be wise to follow through and have these done as well.

A home warranty can be an important sales tool, especially in a slow resale market. Warranties cover the major appliances sold with the home, heating and air conditioning systems and the water heater, usually for one year, especially important for older homes.

Warranties and inspections will vary in cost and services. Check out several companies and compare what they will do for you. The costs for these services run in the hundreds of dollars, as opposed to thousands of dollars that could be incurred by replacing faulty water heaters or air conditioning units.

International Moves and Overseas Housing
If base housing is not available, review your options with your relocation manager. You can also ask other expatriates who are living in the area for recommendations and research housing options on your base or the Internet.

When looking at housing, consider the distances and transportation accessibility to work, school, shopping and services that you require on a routine basis. Evaluate the room sizes and measure any crucial areas, particularly the laundry, bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen of any house you consider. When home shopping, carry with you a camera, tape measure, note pad, pencil and a calculator. After you return home, your measurements and photos will help you determine what furniture and appliances should be moved as well as where some should be placed in the new home, which will expedite the moving in process.

If you are moving to a new country, carefully consider what your family requires in clothing and furniture for the location. Also evaluate the appliances that will work there and determine what needs to be stored until your return. You can find guidance about what appliances will work overseas via the Internet by inputting “overseas appliances” in a search engine.

In some countries, household items can be economically purchased from expatriates who are moving on, check with your relocation manager. If you take only a small shipment of household goods, be sure to include mementos, family photos and some of your favorite items. When a bit of homesickness settles in, it is especially nice to have the comfort of meaningful belongings.

Overseas housing options usually include base housing or buying or renting a place to live.
To rent a home, you need to know:
1. The type of notice you will be given to vacate the dwelling.
2. Whether you will need to purchase separate insurance.
3. The appliances that come with the facility.
4. Monthly fees including all utility costs (know who is responsible for maintenance).
5. Deposits and refunds.
6. Changes that may be made in the house or apartment (drapery/paint) and the party responsible for costs.

Purchasing any home is a significant investment. Always take into consideration the length of time you will live in this home, how practical it will be a few years from now if that is your tenure, but also what the prospects are to resell it you need to move quickly to the next destination.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 10:41 pm and is filed under Relocation/PCS. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.