Another Case of the IWishIWoulda's - How to Talk to Your Realtor when you are Relocating to Maryland
Because here in Howard and Baltimore County we have a reasonable commute to Washington D.C. as well as Baltimore, and because of all of the nearby military and government employment opportunities, we get a lot of buyer relocations. My advice to these buyers:
- Find a short term rental in or near the community you are considering
- Get to know the neighborhood
- Get to know the commuter routes, and your own commute
- Tour the schools
- Talk to the neighbors
In other words, live your life in that community!
In 25 years of real estate here in Howard County and Baltimore County, I've seen it a lot. Time and again, I get the phone call: "Tim, IwishIwoulda looked at the schools before I move here", or "IwishIwoulda known the commute was this long".
If you are relocating here to Maryland, even if you are working with a relocation company and have a relocation package, make sure your Realtor both knows and understands you, your family, how you live, where you work, where you shop and what matters most to you.
If your Realtor doesn't know this information, or if the Realtor doesn't care, you may end up with someone who is more interested in closing a deal than in helping you find the right home for you.
It's easy to get caught up in the emotion of a relocation - you find a newer home, things are looking up, the neighborhood seems fine enough, the commute will probably work....the lifestyle has appeal. Your Realtor is there to know what matters most to you, even when the emotions run high.
Don't be afraid to discuss with a Realtor, before you view properties, the things that are most important to you. Take my advice, and spare yourself the frustration of the Maryland Relocation IwishIwoulda's.
Clients always ask me: Are you on the web?
See for yourself.
Tim McIntyre, GRI, Ellicott City Realtor, Catonsville Realtor
Helping Clients Buy, Sell and Invest in
Howard County, Carroll County and Baltimore County
for more than 25 years.
tmcintyre@cbmove.com 410-480-3555
www.timsellshomes.com
