Timing a sale around a relocation
When a move is tied to a specific date, timing your sale properly becomes more important than it might be for a more open-ended move.
Work backwards from your actual deadline
Once you know your target date, whether that is a job start or a school term, it is worth working backwards with your associate to understand roughly when your property needs to go to market to have a realistic chance of completing in time.
Build in a genuine buffer
Property transactions rarely run exactly to plan, so it is worth building some contingency into your timeline rather than working to the tightest possible schedule. A little breathing room reduces stress considerably if anything moves slower than hoped.
Consider whether speed should shape your approach to selling
If your date is firm and cannot move, it is worth discussing whether an Express Sale, or simply pricing realistically from the outset, would give you a more predictable path than holding out for the highest possible figure over a longer period.
Think about what happens if your date and your sale do not quite align
It is worth having a plan for what happens if your relocation date arrives before your sale completes, whether that means short-term accommodation near your new area, or asking your employer about flexibility on a start date.
Communicate your timeline clearly
Being upfront with your associate, and with buyers, about your timeline helps everyone plan around it properly, and can even work in your favour with a buyer who is similarly motivated to move quickly.
Your local associate can talk through a realistic plan based on your actual deadline, rather than a general estimate.
