(ARA)
- Moving season is upon us. According to the American
Moving and Storage Association, half of all household
moves take place between May and Labor Day. Overall, 43
million Americans move every year.
Planning a move can be time-consuming and
nerve-wracking, but two things can help make the process
go more smoothly: educating yourself through research,
and working with a realtor you trust.
“In the last year, there has been an explosion of free
real estate information on the Internet,” says Michael
Yang, general manager, Yahoo! Real Estate. “More than
ever before, potential buyers are better educated by
access to home price estimates, comparable home sales,
and satellite pictures of houses on the market and their
neighborhoods. And the information is available without
paying a penny.”
Online research will help you determine price ranges for
a particular neighborhood, view homes’ proximity to
local businesses, and get estimates and historical sales
data for individual properties.
Yang points out that one of the most popular features on
Yahoo! Real Estate is Schools Search. “Living near a
good school is crucial for parents and anyone planning
to start a family. But, it’s also a good investment
factor for any home buyer as houses in good school
districts tend to sell faster and at higher prices than
homes in other areas.”
Once you’re feeling smarter about your target
neighborhood and price range, it’s time to team up with
a realtor. If you’re well established in the area, ask
friends and family for a recommendation.
If you’re moving into a new area, consider turning to
the Internet for help. The “Find A Realtor” service on
Yahoo! Real Estate allows you to interview realtors
anonymously by email before choosing the one that best
fits your needs. You can compare the agents’ experience
and sales commissions as well as their proposals on how
they would work with you.
Once you have found and closed on your new home, it also
helps to look for ways to save money on moving. Shop
around for the best deal on movers, either online or in
the phone book. Once you have a few candidates in mind,
ask to speak to references. When it comes to your
precious belongings, a few extra steps never hurt. For
those who prefer packing themselves, one tip is to find
previously used boxes from grocery or wine shops. This
is not only a cost-effective means of packing but is
also eco-friendly. Consider it keeping both your bank
balance and the world “greener.”
Courtesy of ARA Content
