Depending on what stage of life you’re in, moving to a foreign country for work can be a daunting experience. Chances are, someone who has a large family will find moving a bigger resistance compared to a young, millennial couple that’s excited to kick start life in a new area.
The biggest concern one might have before moving is finding a new home. So many questions come to mind that most people don’t even know where to start.
Here, I’ll be sharing some tips on how you can find a home overseas when your work pushes you to.
Consult Your HR Team
If you’re moving for work, your HR division may help you in finding a property in your country of destination as well as managing the logistics of selling your current property. However, not all HR teams have the resources for this, and they may have a contract with a global relocation services firm to assist you.
These firms can link you with the best realtors in the area and provide additional services such as school assistance for your children and VISA and immigration solutions.
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Consider Rent First, Buy Later
This might sound obvious, but when you see that beautiful beachfront property for sale on the Internet, you’re more tempted to put a downpayment on the house. Sure, you might land that property, but what’s the point if the crime is rampant and you don’t feel safe at home?
Landlords and realtors are generally honest, but you’re at a disadvantage when you can’t physically be there to soak up on the environment.
If you rent, the worst case is that you’ll only stay there until your lease expires. And some landlords offer short term leases so you have just enough time to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood in terms of safety, friendliness, accessibility to public transportation, and even nearby schools and health clinics.
Ask Around the Local Expat Communities
In 2017 alone, there were 258 million international migrants globally. Chances are, there are large ex-pat communities in your destination country who can help you with finding a property.
Since you’re sharing similar backgrounds, these communities are more inclined to express their thoughts on the area you’re fond of. They might even suggest you better options as some neighborhoods may offer services and shops that cater to a more international audience and making it easier for you to adapt.
If you’re lucky, they might even know of undervalued properties that haven’t made it to the property listing sites!
Insist on a Virtual Walkthrough
The best option would be to visit the potential homes you’ve shortlisted. However, this just isn’t feasible for most. You should insist on a virtual walkthrough of the home and neighborhood. A good real estate agent would be happy to set up a live meeting with you to showcase this.
Be wary if the real estate agent is hesitant to do so. They should have nothing to hide unless they are trying to take advantage of a prospecting buyer or renter that can’t be there.
