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Evaluating New Communities and Homes
Evaluating New Communities
- Use FlashPoint to research new communities even before your first visit. This easy-to-use program includes reliable information on schools, crime, houses of worship and many other community characteristics. Your Relocation Counselor will tell you more about this comprehensive, easy-to-use resource.
- Ask your new co-workers where they live and how they feel about it. Their first-hand knowledge of housing costs, commuting times and local amenities can help you get behind statistics and narrow the field.
- Take advantage of your AR/WGR's local expertise. He or she will usually provide a "welcome packet" of local information and an overview tour of possible communities.
- Contact local chambers of commerce for more information, including contact information for local clubs and associations.
- Chat with some of your potential neighbors to get their impressions of the neighborhood.
- Relocating abroad can present different living options. In some places, you may opt to live in an expatriate area or choose to live among local nationals. In others, security concerns might dictate a more closed community. Rely on the judgment of your WGR; he or she is a local expert and will present the most appropriate options.
- Try to get a sense of everyday life in a potential neighborhood. Is there a supermarket nearby? How is public transportation? How close is the area to major highways and your new workplace? Is it simple to reach attractions and amenities that are important to you?
Evaluating Homes
- Avoid new construction when you're being relocated. Homes are rarely completed on schedule, and you could find yourself in a costly, stressful temporary housing limbo. Moreover, since new construction usually sells at a premium, you could lose money if you need to move again soon.
- Consider more modest homes in prized communities rather than elaborate homes in less distinguished communities. Homes in more desirable communities appreciate in value more reliably and sell more quickly. They generally give your family access to superior schools and community amenities as well.
- Develop a list of "musts" in your new home and other nice-but-not-essential features. Be cautious in considering swimming pools, elaborate landscaping and other high-maintenance amenities.
- Evaluate "fixer-uppers" carefully. If a well-priced property needs just a facelift of new carpeting, paint and appliances, it can be a good deal. If it needs more extensive work, be sure that you know what is needed and how much the work will cost. Also be certain that you have the time and inclination to see the project through. Your agent can offer more advice.
- Consider homes with three or more bedrooms and condos with two or more bedrooms. They have greater appreciation potential and sell faster than smaller properties. Look for two or more bathrooms. Homes with one bathroom can be difficult to resell.
- Make sure the house meets all of your needs. Are there enough bedrooms? Are the rooms large enough for your furnishings? If you like to entertain, does the space flow well? Is the kitchen modern and efficient? Is there space for children to play?
- Consider purchasing a home if you're a renter moving from a high cost of living area to a less expensive area.
- Be sure you're at ease with potential mortgage payments, and that you can comfortably afford to make the home your own. Your personal tolerance for debt might be lower than what you can technically afford.
- Note that living arrangements in other countries might not exactly mirror your current housing arrangement. For example, American homes, furnishings and yards tend to be much larger than those in Europe and Asia. Your Global Accredited Representative will present options that meet your needs and your company's policy.
Evaluating Rental Properties
- Determine your priorities. If you have children, you will want to seek a rental property in a community with excellent schools. If you are childless and active, you probably will be more interested in the apartment's proximity to local cultural, recreational, and entertainment facilities.
- Make sure that the development's focus (if any) is compatible with your lifestyle. Some properties are targeted to specific audiences, such as young singles or a more mature 50+ audience.
- Be sure that you're aware of, and comfortable with, any restrictions on the use of your space. These can include pet prohibitions, bans on barbecue grills or balcony furnishings, restricted parking, prescribed "quiet hours" and many more.
- Consider visiting a development in the evening, to get a more realistic reading on neighbors and noise levels. What seemed like a quiet oasis during the day could turn into a fraternity party at night.
- Inspect on-site fitness facilities, if this amenity is important to you. Does the area contain the equipment you use? Is the equipment in good repair? Are there enough machines to go around? Are locker rooms clean?
- Make sure you understand all of the terms of your rental agreement: the amount and due date of the rent, the duration of the rental, the conditions of occupancy and the rights and obligations of both parties.
- Ask your landlord to include a relocation clause in your rental agreement, so that if you are relocated during the lease term, you can terminate the agreement with reasonable notice.
- Be aware that in some cases, leases automatically renew, unless one of the parties cancels the agreement. More frequently, the tenancy converts to a month-to-month status. Under these agreements, either party may end the tenancy with proper notice (usually 30 days). Landlords can also increase the rent; again, with proper notice.
- Streamline the rental process and protect your financial health. Order a copy of your credit report in advance and correct any errors. Almost all landlords will order a credit check before renting you an apartment, and studies have shown that 30 to 50 percent of credit reports contain significant errors.
- Ask people who can attest to your stability and strengths as a renter to write you a letter of recommendation (or at least alert them that landlords will be calling).
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Jason is standing by to help you from
9am to 9pm EST (Sat. 9 to 6).
(Cell) 201-315-1759
(Office) 973-316-5600 or Click here.
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A pricing strategy that is sensitive to market trends is most likely to achieve the best end result. Click here.
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We can help you determine the
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