Relocating for a Job When You Own a House

Whether your company is relocating you or you’re moving for a great new opportunity, there’s no way around it: relocating for a job as a homeowner is stressful. There are a slew of factors to consider, including finding a new home, selling your current home, and timing the entire process so the transition goes seamlessly.

Remote work has shifted the landscape of job relocation. Many remote workers can now move where they want to live, regardless of where their employer is located. This can be especially helpful for employees of companies based in cities with high costs of living who want to live in a more affordable area.

Relocating for a Job? Work With a Top Agent.

Packing up and moving for a new job is a big move. To help make the sale of your old home and quick and profitable as possible, work with a top real estate agent in your area. Likewise, finding a great agent in your new location can help you settle into a home and neighborhood that best meets your and your family’s needs.

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In HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights report, agents we surveyed predicted that remote workers able to relocate to more affordable areas from high-cost areas would continue to do so.

Seeking out more affordable areas is especially common among first-time home buyers, who 67% of agents say are most likely to seek out affordable areas to buy. But of course, these areas can also be the most competitive.

According to the National Association of Realtors®’ Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2024, the median distance between a homebuyer’s previous home and the new home was 20 miles in 2023, down from 50 miles in 2022, but up from 15 miles from 2018 to 2021.

Let’s review what you need to consider before relocating for a job — and how working with top agents can help with both the sale of your current home and with finding a great new home in your new location.

Steps to take when relocating for a job

You’ve decided you want to move — great! The hard decision is done. Now, you have to consider several different factors that will shape your buying and selling strategy.

First, it’s essential to consider your timeline. Do you have a specific day you need to move in? Do you have lots of time to sell your house, or do you need to sell it quickly? Knowing your timeline in advance can help you shape your selling approach and priorities.

Here are several factors to consider when coming up with your timeline and strategy.

1. Find your home’s current worth

If you’re planning on selling your current home (rather than renting it out or gifting it to a child), you should get a good idea of what it’s worth. This can help you determine your budget for your next purchase, as well as the general moving costs.

To find your home’s estimated value, you can use HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator tool. It uses your home’s location, age, and other factors to give you a good idea of your home’s current value. A real estate agent can later help you set the perfect price.