As a real estate professional, you’ve probably helped a lot of people with relocation. But what happens when you’re the one who’s moving?
Relocation Challenges
Like anyone else, you have a good reason for relocating. Maybe your spouse got a new job, or you’d like to be closer to family. Or maybe you just want to enjoy life in a different part of the country! Whatever the reason, the idea of rebuilding your business from the ground up is probably pretty daunting.
While it will be a challenge to make local contacts and learn a brand-new territory, you don’t have to start completely from scratch. You can still rely on your network of peers and mentors to help out. Plus, the expertise you’ve gained will help you get up and running even faster than the first time!
Do This Before You Move!
At least 2 or 3 months before you relocate, get lined up with a brokerage. If you’re already a member of a national brokerage, then this process will probably be easier. Otherwise, you’ll need to hustle to find a team that’s the right fit for you.
If you’ve decided to move out of state, it’s vitally important that you get licensed in your new home state before you move. You’ll need to learn that state’s laws, which may be different from the ones you’re used to. If you’re lucky, your license may transfer to your new location. If not, you’ll have to pass the exam.
Do Your Homework
While the general destination might be out of your hands—if you are moving for your spouse’s new job, for example—you should do your homework about the market in that area. You might find that one zip code has a much hotter market than another, or that the neighboring county’s property tax rate makes it more appealing to home buyers.
You can never have too much information about the region. Learn about everything from local hotspots to popular architectural styles before you dive in as an agent.
Carve Out Your Niche
When you relocate, your target demographics might also change. It’s so important to understand the types of buyers and sellers in your new territory. That way you can figure out where you fit in to the real estate ecosystem. You might not be able to specialize in the same niche as before, but think of that as an opportunity instead of a challenge.
Network Early and Often
Reach out to your current network to let them know about the move. You might just luck out and get a few leads in your new home base. Maximize your online networking efforts before you get there so that you have at least a few contacts. And plan for as many networking events as you can manage during the first few months in your new home.
Rebrand and Rebuild
Are there aspects of your branding and marketing that you don’t love? Have you found yourself wanting to make changes and experiment with the way you do business? Good news—now is the perfect opportunity to tweak those areas.
Just make sure that you update your information promptly so that clients in your new market can find you.
