Jenah Mahan<\/a> is an experienced agent in Tacoma, WA, an area that serves the military community. She often works with out-of-state buyers, and says one of the biggest pitfalls to avoid is miscommunication \u2014 it comes down to meeting her buyer\u2019s expectations. \u201cMy version of clean might be different than somebody else’s, and my version of a large bedroom is different,\u201d she says. \u201cThat can be the biggest pitfall, putting your total trust into somebody else.\u201d When she works with out-of-state buyers, she says it\u2019s incredibly important to communicate and get into their head.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re moving states, it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start! Do you find movers first, or talk to a real estate agent? This step-by-step guide will help you through buying a home out of state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n If you are buying a home out of state, a trusted buyer’s agent with their ears to the ground will be a necessary member of your team. Working with a local agent in the area you are looking to buy will help you choose the best home (especially if you can’t be there to house hunt yourself). HomeLight analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find you the best agent for your needs.<\/p>\n \n There\u2019s always a cost to moving and <\/span>buying a new house<\/span><\/a>, but that cost can vary widely between states. Average home prices could be more or less than where you\u2019re currently living, which will impact the size of your required down payment. <\/span>Conventional and FHA loan limits<\/span><\/a> also vary by state and county, so you might be able to afford more home than you think.<\/span><\/p>\n If you know the move is coming, do some preliminary research on the housing market in your new state. Try to get a feel for the housing prices in potential neighborhoods \u2014 a local agent is a great source \u2014 and how much you will need for your down payment. As soon as you possibly can, start saving money.<\/p>\n Also, consider cutting back on any unnecessary expenses. If you\u2019ll be driving across state lines and are a two-car family, consider selling one car to save on gas and insurance before the move. For more tips on saving for a down payment, <\/span>check out these tips<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t think you can put 20% down on a new house, look into <\/span>down payment assistance programs<\/span><\/a> at the state and county level. Many states have programs that help first-time homebuyers, veterans, and more. A local mortgage broker could point you in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget that you\u2019ll need to cover closing costs, too. Closing costs are typically between 2% to 5% of the total purchase price. Once you have an idea of average home prices in your new state, you can use our closing costs calculator<\/a> to estimate how much you\u2019ll need to save on top of your down payment.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re planning your cross-state budget, leave room for moving costs! Long-distance moves can cost more than a quick, half-day move across town. We will break that down later.<\/p>\n Lenders need to be licensed in the state you are looking to purchase in, so chances are your local lender won\u2019t be able to help you here. Do your research to find a local reputable lender, or work with a <\/span>mortgage broker<\/span><\/a> who can network with several local lenders to find you the best deal.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Planning a Move Out of State? A Top Agent Can Help <\/h3>\n
1. Save for your down payment and closing costs<\/h2>\n
2. Get preapproved for your mortgage<\/h2>\n