Relocating far away? These Are The Must-Know Mistakes To Avoid

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Buying a home, Home buying strategy, Jacksonville Real Estate, real estate, real estate advice, real estate consultant, real estate information, real estate jacksonville fl, Real Estate Team, real estate tips, relocating, relocation, The best real estate agent in Jacksonville, tips on relocating

COVID-19 has caused many people to reevaluate their living situations—and, as a result, many of those people are planning to relocate to an area that better suits their needs.

Relocating is always a process—but if you don’t do it right, that process can quickly become stressful and overwhelming.

But how, exactly, do you do it right? What mistakes do you need to avoid to ensure the relocation process goes as smoothly as possible?

A video from realtor.com outlined the key mistakes to avoid when relocating to a new area, including:

• Listing your home before you know where and when you’re relocating. Homes are selling extremely fast in today’s market—so before you list your home, you’ll want to have clarity on where and when you’re relocating.
• Not researching your new area. Every area is different—and before you decide to relocate, you need to know that your new area has the amenities and features that you’ll need. For example, if you have children, research the schools and childcare options before you commit to moving to a new town or city. If you’re planning to work from home, make sure the neighborhoods you’re considering have high-speed internet so you can do your job effectively.
• Expecting your belongings to arrive and be available immediately. If you’re doing a long distance relocation and shipping some of your belongings, there could be delays—so if you know you’re going to need an item, make sure to keep it with you and transport it yourself.

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Most Tax Friendly States of 2020

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Best places to live, Lowest taxes, real estate, real estate advice, real estate florida, real estate investing, real estate jacksonville fl, Real Estate Team, relocating, relocation, retire and relocate, Tax friendly states, The best real estate agent in Jacksonville, tips on relocating

Retirees are often the main group we imagine moving from higher-tax states to states considered tax-friendly. The coronavirus pandemic, however, has led younger people, many of whom are in their prime career years, to also look for low-cost places to relocate. Telecommuting has made it possible to leave big (often expensive) urban areas and work from anywhere, which is one factor behind the shift. 

The following are some of the country’s most tax-friendly states right now, regardless of why you might be relocating. 

Wyoming
There’s no state income tax in Wyoming, and the average state and local sales tax is just over 5.3%. The average property taxes are $635 per $100,000 in home value. Wyoming has a strong mineral and energy extraction industry, and that’s one of the reasons the state can keep taxes low for residents. 

Nevada
There is no state income tax in Nevada, and the average property tax in the state is $693 per $100,000 in home value. The tax-friendly nature of Nevada may be one reason there’s an influx of Californians moving to the state and the scenic Lake Tahoe area in particular. Nevada receives over a billion dollars each year from the casino and tourism industry, which helps them avoid imposing a state income tax. 

Florida
Florida has no state income tax, but property taxes tend to hover around the national average. The state and local sales tax rate is also somewhere around average for the country at 7.05% combined. 

Alaska
Alaska may not provide you with sunshine and beaches, but it could be an economically sound decision. Alaska residents pay neither state income taxes nor state sales tax. Certain municipalities in Alaska might impose local sales taxes that are as high as 7.5%, but even so, the average local sales tax hovers around 1.76%. There’s also the Permanent Fund Dividend ($992 for 2020), which is paid to every Alaska resident who’s lived there for a full year. 

Tennessee
Prior to 2016, Tennessee did not tax wages, but still taxed income from investments and other “unearned income.” Legislation was passed in 2016 to gradually eliminate taxes on investments by 2021. The state currently carries the third lowest tax-burden in the United States.

We can help you buy or sell a home ANYWHERE! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com 904-515-2479

Relocating? How Your Visit Matters

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Buying a home, Moving to a new city, relocating, relocation, tips for moving to a new city, tips on relocating

Are you considering a move to a new city? Maybe you’re trying to make the choice between two or three potential options. If so, how you visit your future home can have a dramatic impact on which one makes the final cut.

By making a few subtle shifts in how you prepare for your visit (and how you spend your time while you’re in town), you can gain more useful insight into the community.

Tip 1: Stay a week if possible
While a long weekend might be your only shot, you can get a much better perspective on a place if you have enough time to unwind. A mix of weekdays and a weekend is a great way to get a view of the rhythm of the town. If you have a long time to plan, visit the place in Summer versus Winter, too.

Tip 2: Rent an apartment or house
A family living in a hotel is expensive and automatically puts you “outside” the community. With a little more room and the facilities of a real living space, you’ll get a better sense of what it might be like to “really be there.” Plus, avoiding the hotel will keep you off tourist-trap areas and hopefully away from major highways.

Tip 3: Explore some on foot
Driving aimlessly can be a good “survey” technique (and indeed, getting lost is a good idea, too), but walking neighborhoods and downtown districts will give you a vivid sense of the community.

Tip 4: Get the local low-down
Before you go, find friends-of-friends on Facebook and other social media sites who can give you an idea of the must-see places that locals love. Use this list as your guide, not the tourism brochures.

Tip 5: Pay attention to what matters to YOU
Remember: You’re the one thinking of living there. Don’t let what others see as the main benefit to the town be what guides your decision to live there. Go with your gut, your values, and your comfort level!

By the way, we’re glad to help you sell your home prior to the move, or refer you to a trusted agent in your destination city. Just get in touch! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com