How to Buy a House When Living in a Different State

A real estate agent's referrals can help you complete an out-of-state home purchase.

More than 37 million Americans moved to a new residence in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 30 percent of those moves were linked to family reasons, including marriage and divorce, while another 16 percent took place for employment reasons. If you’re moving to a new state because of a job change, you may need to buy a home there before you move. A few steps can make it easier to purchase a house in a different state.

Instructions

1. Find a real-estate agent in your new state by asking for recommendations from your new employer or other people who live in the area to which you’re moving. Be as specific as possible when communicating to the agent what you’re looking for in a house and your budget.

2. Review online listings to create a list of houses that seem to match your wish list.

3. Ask your agent to recommend a local bank where you can apply for a mortgage and complete the loan prequalification process before looking at homes on your wish list.

4. Schedule a trip to see homes in your new area. Instruct your real-estate agent to schedule showings of the homes you’re most interested in several days before your arrival. This allows you to select replacement homes to view if your agent finds out some of your favorites are no longer available. Schedule enough time in your trip to go back for second showings of the homes you consider “finalists” before selecting the one you want to buy.

5. Choose a home inspector to inspect your prospective new home after a purchase contract is signed. Your agent can attend the inspection if you can’t be there, and the inspector can email the report to you.

6. Find a notary in the town where you currently live if you will not be able to attend the mortgage closing in person. You will need to sign mortgage-related documents, have them notarized and return them to the closing company using an express-shipping service. You can find notaries at banks, insurance companies, legal firms, and city and county government offices.

References

• U.S. Census Bureau; Census Bureau Reports Housing is Top Reason People Moved Between 2009 and 2010; May 2011
• Michigan Department of State: Frequently Asked Questions