You’ve reached that point where your property needs have changed. Maybe you want more space, different features or a whole new lifestyle. Relocating could be the answer. But how will this impact you financially? And what do you need to consider when relocating within the same area, as opposed to moving further afield? Whether your moving to Geelong or The Bellarine Peninsula read on for some handy tips.
Moving close to home
Selling one property to buy another creates expenses such as agent fees, stamp duty and moving costs. And, if you are relocating within the same postcode, price variation can add to the financial strain.
“If someone is selling to buy in the [same] area, they’re usually upgrading and that generally means they’ll have a bigger mortgage,” says Domain Home Loans sales director Sam Hyman.
While you might be attached to your area, you need to determine if relocating there is a feasible financial option.
“Look at what you’re spending and break it up into mandatory costs – things you have to pay regardless,” Hyman says. “Then look at discretionary costs such as social costs [and] shopping, and ask what are things you could sacrifice to free up cash flow.”
Try before you buy
One option is to lease your property and rent another. “If you have a unit and can’t necessarily afford to buy a home [in the same area], you can rent out the unit, get an investment income then rent a house in the area,” Hyman says.
Ann-Elise Hampton and Torsten Fiedler did exactly that in Sydney’s Dulwich Hill. Initially, they bought a semi, but with two energetic boys, they soon needed more space. They loved the area and community, but there was nothing suitable in their price bracket. So they leased out their semi and rented a bigger property in the area.
“Some local friends were relocating overseas temporarily, and we took up the offer of renting their house, which was exactly what we were looking for,” Hampton says.
Consider the costs
Since COVID-19, people no longer need to live where they work. Many are leaving cities for more relaxed locations with lower median prices such as the Central Coast in NSW, Ballarat in Victoria and the Gold Coast in Queensland. “It allows people to move to a more affordable area and continue to work in their jobs,” Hyman says.
Recently, Arena had clients who were moving from a three-bedroom Sydney unit to a much bigger house in Wollongong. “Other clients moved to Queensland as they realised they didn’t need to be in Sydney for work anymore,” he says.
Despite this attraction, moving cities is still costly. “Start with a budget and work out how much you can afford,” Hyman says. “Then work with a mortgage broker to help you understand what it would look like at different mortgage levels.”
Hyman also suggests using tools that can help you calculate the potential cost of a new loan. “You can download a free property report to give you an indication of price, sale history and rental history of properties you’re looking at,” he says. “Or your current property – you can get an idea of what it’s worth.”
After over 20 years in the industry and various personal moves, Travis shares his top 10 tips for moving. Change your locks. Fumigation for spiders including inside the ceiling cavity Make sure you have somewhere to rest (couch) and utensils to make a coffee and some food during the un-pack … Read more
Despite the enormity of the task, with the right help, a flexible approach and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can achieve a great result every time. Pick the right real estate agent The one decision that could have the biggest impact on the success of your sale is the … Read more