Out of town doesn’t have to mean out of luck
The holidays are supposed to be a time to relax and recharge, not a period of anxiety and wondering what could have been.
Most everybody knows to make arrangements for the mail, newspaper and family pet before taking time away. However, what should you do if you’ve had your eye on a home in the neighborhood that suddenly hits the market when you are out of town?
Redding resident Margie McGovern recently decided to sell her home and move across the country to be closer to her son in Florida. The place, owned by McGovern and her late husband, had been extremely well kept for years, and the flower and vegetable gardens were the envy of the block.
Howard Long, a firefighter who paints homes during his time away from his Northern California station, had worked on the McGovern home and mentioned it to his wife.
“I got to see what kind of shape the place was in when I was painting,” Long said. “It was the type of place you always say to yourself, ‘When this home comes on the market, I’ll be interested.’ ”
Interested, yes. Around? Not necessarily.
While the Longs were on vacation out of state, McGovern listed her home for sale. By the time the Longs got word of the listing, three offers had already been made.
“We had talked with the owner one day after church, just in casual conversation,” Long said. “I guess I thought we would always have a shot at it, but it just goes to show you that there’s very little you can predict. We just took so much for granted.”
It’s best to let a real estate agent know what homes in the area you would really like to purchase, according to Alan Tonnon, a real estate attorney in Bellevue, Wash.
“Even if you are not focused on moving at the time,” Tonnon said, “if there is a home out there that you will kick yourself about later, it’s best to make your interests known. Choosing somebody who can represent you in your absence makes a lot of sense.”
Tonnon also cautions against being on vacation when closing a home purchase. Schedule the closing at least 10 days before your departure date or wait until you return from vacation.
Why? Third-party providers, such as appraisers and escrow officers, sometimes can be swamped, especially at busy times like the end of the month. Factoring in some flexibility can eliminate a lot of stress.
It’s also difficult to complete the required paperwork when you are out of town.
Tom Kelly’s new book, “How a Second Home Can Be Your Best Investment,” was co-written with John Tuccillo, former chief economist for the National Assn. of Realtors. Kelly can be reached at news@tomkelly.com.