Relocating quickly and inexpensively?

[billchrz]

I'm about to accept a job offer that would send my family (wife and 2 young kids) and I down to the Dallas area from the Philly area. The company is not offering any relocation assistance and I would have only 3 weeks before I have to start work. We have a house in the Philly suburbs that has to be sold. The job pays about $20k more than I was making in the Philly/NJ area and the cost of living in DFW is almost 50% less.

Here is my plan and I'm hoping to get some comments from others that have done the same.

Put the house on the market immediately. I've already talked to a realtor friend who pulled comps and we've discussed pricing and strategy. He is also going to work for 5% commission rather than the standard 6%

Pack and sell as much as possible on craigslist, garage sales, etc

Visit the area with my wife and find an apartment with a month to month short term lease to live in until the house sells in PA.

Use U-Pack to move to the new apartment (~$3k)

Ship our cars (~$1600)

The kids would make their way to the area with the in laws a few days later once we have everything into the house.

Thoughts?

[EEinNJ]

Unless you're already done with your current job, 3 weeks is not very much time to get ready. Yes, you could get yourself down there & start work, but dealing with the house is the big thing. If it needs any work to make it attractive, and if you have a lot of "stuff" to dispose of or pack, it takes a lot of time & effort. You're doing the right thing by working with a realtor you know & trust.

Rather than shipping your cars, I've heard of people driving them 1-way for you, could be cheaper.

[mrpaseo]

Make the move alone, ask your spouse to handle things back here while you establish yourself down there. The problem you face is the faster you want to move, the more it will cost (to include money you will lose short selling everything that you are trying to part with).

In the Army where we were accustomed to moving a lot (Sometimes up to 7 moves in a career) we would often go forward and ask our spouse to take care of the old while the Soldier would set up the new.

Also, look into "Extended stay" hotels. Basically it's like a hotel room that you rent by the month. They are fully furnished so you could go there with just the basics of what you need to live (Clothes, hygiene, work books/papers) and you could set up shop and start working. This would allow you time to learn the area and find the right location before your spouse arrives.

Just an option to think about.

Best.

(Congrats on the new job opportunity).

[snafu]

Congratulations on new job and improved income. Does new employer offer any type of re-location assistance like information on short term rentals? I suggest hiring a 'stager' who uses your furniture and accessories to 'present' your home for selling. Likewise a landscaper to 'stage' the yard can add dollars to home's value. Prospective buyers judge a house in the first five minutes.

mrpaseo's suggestions are terrific. We've used an electric airbed which collapses into a suitcase, clothes, equivalent of camping kitchen set up, a change of bedding and bathroom supplies for short term accommodations in the car and driven down.

Wife, relatives and friends handle selling items/packing as much as possible providing DW can tolerate the idea of buying some pieces that were gently used. It's shocking how expensive it is to move a household a long distance. Is U-Pack aka U-Haul? Could you fly back to Philly to drive rented U-Haul back to DFW once house is sold? It would mean negotiating two days off and a lot of friends to help with loading the truck/trailer. [you can rent the hitch assembly]

Keeping a house 'staged' and ready to show to both realtors and prospective buyers on short notice is extremely difficult. I suggest designating one area for packing and all packed boxes stored in the garage or one room only.

[billchrz]

Thanks all.

With U-Pack, they drop off a trailer to a truck at your house for 3 days, you pack the trailer, and they drive it to the location, and then you unpack the trailer in 3 days. Significantly cheaper than a u-haul.

I didn't think about paying someone to drive our cars down there. Great idea and probably cheaper than shipping the cars. Not sure the wife would be willing to let someone else drive her car.

The problem with going ahead of the family is that there really isn't anyone to help my wife. I can't put taking care of the kids, 2 dogs, keeping the house clean for showings, and packing on the poor woman. I do want to come out of this still happily married

I will certainly check into the long term "suite" hotel rooms. They may be a better deal than a short term apartment rental.

Thanks everyone!

[scfr]

Unless you have tons of moving experience, the book 29 Days to a Smooth Move is a great resource and well worth the money.

Unless the deal is finalized with your employer, try to negotiate for a week or two of extra vacation time to help with the pre-move prep.

What is the average number of days on market in your area? If it's not too long, think about making the move yourself first and staying in a Extended Stay type hotel and having your wife move down after you have a contract on the house. There are things you can do on your own in Dallas before the family comes down like narrowing down neighborhoods where you want to buy your next house, doing some preliminary house hunting, investigating schools & vets, etc.

[Gailete]

The problem with going ahead of the family is that there really isn't anyone to help my wife. I can't put taking care of the kids, 2 dogs, keeping the house clean for showings, and packing on the poor woman. I do want to come out of this still happily married

As the person that got left with those jobs (minus the dogs) for many moves before meeting up with hubby, may I just thank you for your compassion to your wife! I've done all that while also working a full time job.

Start packing now anything and everything that you won't need prior to or directly after the move. All extra bedding, coats, boots, winter wear, Christmas/holiday stuff, fine china, glassware. Books have always been my bug-a-boo, but they pack quickly. If you know for sure that you are moving, just start packing and make friends with someone at a grocery or liquor store for boxes. Start eating out of your pantry and only get the absolute minimum in groceries. I've seen people throw out almost an entire fridge's supply of ketchup, mustard, etc. since they didn't use it up or even bother to donate to friends before moving with is a waste.

Congrats on this great new opportunity!