How To Survive a Relocation

Relocating to a new and unfamiliar area with your family can be both challenging and rewarding. Whether you're moving to take advantage of an opportunity with a new company or relocating to accept a new position within your existing company, this is a time to reflect on what type of home and environment you want to raise your family in.
Before you take that first house-hunting trip, be sure to research the area you're planning to move to. For example, if your job is in the Downtown Los Angeles area, explore the areas surrounding downtown, such as Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and the Santa Clarita Valley.
In the Los Angeles area, the closer you get to downtown the higher the prices, even if the housing is tiny and unattractive. Therefore, most companies with relocating employees tell them to look first in the Santa Clarita area, where they'll find lower prices, highly-rated schools and clean, newer neighborhoods. The same is true for many big-city suburbs, so be sure to expand your home search to at least a 20-mile radius from your new job location.
If your company is relocating you, be sure to check with your relocation department to verify what services they'll provide as well as any restrictions you may need to work with. Some relocation departments will handle everything internally, and some will contract out to a relocation company to handle all of the details.
Be aware that many relocation companies will initially insist that you use a Realtor of their choice for both selling your current home and buying your new home, but will usually back down when you insist on using a Realtor of your choice in your new location. This is because the relocation companies offset their costs by claiming a percentage of the Realtor's commissions.
Your investigations into your new hometown should include housing prices, quality of life standards and schools. Explore the websites and blogs of Realtors local to that area to get a feel for the neighborhoods, and do some online home searches to determine what your money can buy in each area. Once you've "interviewed" Realtors online via their websites and blogs, make a few phone calls to see if they will help you with your relocation research. A good relocation Realtor should be able to help you explore your new area by providing articles and resources about the area as well as emailing you some homes to consider, so you'll be able to get more comfortable with your new hometown before you arrive.
Questions you may want to ask include:
What are the crime statistics for the area?
What is the quality of schools in the area?
Do the property taxes include an special assessments, such as Mello Roos taxes?
Does the area include a homeowners association (HOA)? If so, what are the monthly dues, and what do they cover?
Are there any restrictions in this area, such as on-street or RV parking?
What type of public transportation is available to commuters?
Why other features or benefits does this area have to offer?
If you're relocating to the Los Angeles area, be sure to visit the Santa Clarita Real Estate Blog. You'll find neighborhood information as well as home searches for the entire Los Angeles region, with a focus on the Santa Clarita area. Santa Clarita includes the towns of Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country and Castaic.