A new job. A desire to be closer to family. A change of scenery. There are many reasons why you might be looking to relocate to Atlanta. A cross-country move can be exciting, but it also adds a few more layers to the relocation process. The following tips by our real estate agents will help you avoid the pitfalls of buying a house out of state and ensure the deal goes smoothly.

• Do Your Research
  Whether you're moving 30 miles or 3,000 miles away in a different state, you should do loads of research before making the big purchase. You need to prioritize what's most important to you in order to narrow down your choices. Do you want the shortest commute to work, picturesque scenery, or a high-ranking school district? Fire up Google and discover important details about a community's economic stability, employment potential, local crime rate, weather, schools, amenities, and more.
  
  
• Go Local with Your Real Estate Agent
  One of the most important things to do when buying a home out of state is to find a buyer's agent working in the area you want to buy your home. An agent will be your boots on the ground, as well as your ears and eyes when it comes to inspections. Some of the services they may provide include finding Atlanta homes for sale that meet your needs and attending open houses on your behalf. They can help with inspections, negotiations, and the closing process. They'll have a working knowledge of local laws, give you all the deets on the neighborhood, provide info on taxes, and let you know what developments could impact the area.
  
  
• Ask for Real-Time Virtual Tours
  We know you've been browsing through listings photos and videos this whole time, but are they showing you everything? Real estate photos can look good with the right angles and lighting. It takes in-person visits to uncover problems not shown in the listing. But since you're buying from out-of-state, you probably don't have the time to go to every showing in person. This is where your agent can give you all the intel you're missing.
  
  A live, virtual tour allows you to ask questions in real-time and request a closer look at some areas. You can get immediate feedback from your agent and talk about the home on a more intimate level, all without having to travel back and forth. This is one of the main reasons why you should work with an agent you can trust to have your best interests at heart.
  
  
• Organize Your Financing
  Seeking mortgage pre-approval can help speed up your home-buying process. Some lenders in your current community may not finance the purchase of a home in another state. And even in your new community, you may not be able to get a loan unless you visit the lender in person. If you're moving because of a new job, determine whether your offer letter is sufficient to help you get approval or whether pay stubs from the new job are needed. You can also choose to work with a lending institution that has branches in your current state and your new state.
  
  
• Don't Sweat the Offer and Closing
  Don't let distance slow you down when you've found "that" house and are ready to make an offer on it. You can use your real estate company's online proposal feature to submit an e-offer with a digital signature. Simultaneous closing is very difficult to orchestrate if you're buying a home in another state and selling your existing one at the same time. Most lenders will only fund a mortgage for the new home after receiving documentation confirming the sale of the buyer's current home.
  
  Your best bet is to schedule the closing of your out-of-state home a few days after the closing on your current home. Remote closing is increasingly common today, so no big deal if you can't be there in person to sign the pile of paperwork.

Buying a house out-of-state can be tricky, but with smart planning and the right agent by your side, you can easily navigate any hurdles. No matter where you're shopping from, our team at Josey Young & Brady Realty is here to help you find the right home in Atlanta. Contact us today.