Selling A House to Relocate for a Job

If you’re reading this, the chances are you’ve been offered a new job in a new location, congratulations! A new job often means more money and bigger opportunities, but if it’s further afield, it can mean moving, which can bring its own set of problems. If you’re looking to sell your house after a job relocation, you’ve come to the right place. 

Read on to see our handy guide on how to sell a house when relocating.

Challenges of selling a house due to job relocation

Selling your home can be a stressful time, and if you add a new job to the mix the process can feel overwhelming. 

Renting a property in your new location might be a good idea in the short term while you settle in, but we appreciate rent on top of a mortgage may not be suitable for everyone, which is why selling your house quickly may be your best option. 

Depending on when you start your new job, your house could be left empty for some time. Without a car outside or lights coming on each night, this may mean the property is subject to vandals, thieves or squatters. There is also the issue that if something goes wrong in the house, like a burst pipe, you may not find out for several weeks, by which point, the damage has been done, and you need to pay some costly repairs. 

Selling your house 300 miles away can be quite the challenge, especially if you didn’t have the chance to get your house up to selling standard before you start your new role. Organising viewings and surveys whilst juggling a new job isn’t ideal. With a quick house sale, you can just sign some papers and transfer the deed, with the money arriving in your account in as little as a week. 

Options for selling house due to job relocation 

The good news is, you have options when it comes to selling your house after relocating – it’s just about finding the best one for you. 

Estate agents

The first option that probably came to mind for selling your house is through the traditional channel of an estate agent. If you’ve sold a house before, you know the drill: you’ll get a house valuation, pictures of your home will go up on their website and you’ll need to wait for someone to make an offer on your property. 

One of the benefits of using an estate agent is that they’ll be able to conduct the process even if you’ve already moved to your new location. Using an estate agent also means you will receive closer to market value for your house, so if this is a high priority for you, an estate agent may be the way to go.

However, going through an estate agent does have a few drawbacks. Although they will be able to handle everything for you, this does come at a price which eats into the profit of selling your home. Selling traditionally can also take up to 6 months (and even then it’s not guaranteed), which is a problem if you need the cash fast to either rent or buy a new property. 

You could try and speed up the sale of your house by setting a lower asking price.  When you speak to the agent ask them what price they’d recommend if you want to sell in 4 weeks. This might speed up the process of finding a buyer but it will still take several months to complete the sale, and even longer if you end up stuck in a property chain. 

Auctioneers 

If the traditional route isn’t speedy enough for you, you might prefer an auction. These are often quicker than selling on the open market, and typically can be done within a few months. About 75% of properties will successfully sell at auction, in comparison to the 50% that estate agents achieve. 

Auctions typically attract property investors who are looking for their next project. This means that if your home is a little run-down or needs work doing, it could be more suited for auction.  But if there is no potential to add significant value then it is unlikely to be the route for you. 

And if you’ve never sold a house at auction before, it’s worth knowing that it’s not always a straightforward process – and beginners’ mistakes can be costly. Check out our guide to Selling Your House at Auction. 

Relocation company

Your new employer might use a relocation company, to help new starters in the process of relocating for work. A relocation company is a third party service, organised through your employer, who helps to coordinate a person’s relocation from start to finish, and this can include everything from paperwork and housing arrangements to transportation. Speak to your employer about whether this service is available to you.

Quick house sale company

Finally, you have the option of a quick house buying company.

If you’re relocating and need to sell your house fast, a quick house buying company, such as House Buyer Bureau, could be the perfect solution. We will buy your property for cash in a much shorter time scale than through an estate agent or auction. In fact, you could sell your house and have the money in your account in as little as seven days (or longer, depending on what suits you). A quick house buying company can offer you a guaranteed sale with no viewings, costs, fees, chains or repairs needed. 

Although you will receive below market value, there will be no viewings to host, estate agent fees to pay, and we’ll pay your legal fees if you use one our trusted solicitors, and you can receive the cash with no stress. 

If you’re looking to sell this way, we recommend checking online reviews as well as seeing if the company has any additional accreditations, such as being a member of the Property Ombudsman or the National Association of Property Buyers.  

“Honest and Professional”

I had concerns about using a house buying company but needed a quick sale and after some research decided to use HBB. From the outset they were open, supportive, helpful and professional. This also applied to their recommended solicitor who acted on my behalf. They honoured their initial offer and completion was achieved in a timescale of my choosing.Many thanks to Dorothy and Kerrie at HBB and Julie my solicitor. I would not hesitate in recommending HBB.

Derek, Trustpilot

How to sell a house for a job relocation – top tips 

• Always speak to your new employer about the move, they may be able to offer relocation services or some relocation allowance.
• Find someone who specialises in selling properties quickly to minimise the time you will spend waiting for a sale. 
• Get your house ready to sell – be ruthless and have a good clear out. Not only will this make the space more appealing to buyers, but you’ll have a lot less stuff to take with you on the move. 
• Get your documents together, including your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), title deeds, and any planning or building certificates ready. This helps avoid delays once a buyer is found.
• If you’re relocating (or already have) but are struggling to sell your house, consider selling to a cash house buyer 
• If you have already relocated and your house is on the market, ask a friend or family member to pop in and keep up with odd jobs such as mowing the lawn. This means it will continue to look tidy and desirable for viewings. 

Sell your house fast with House Buyer Bureau

Relocating and need to sell your house fast? Look no further than the House Buyer Bureau. We buy any house and can have the funds in your account in as little as seven days. 

We are an experienced cash buyer so there is no risk of the sale falling through or any last minute renegotiation, leaving you to look forward to starting your new role. Not only are we members of the Property Ombudsman, we are also founder members of the NAPB and recommended by the Advisory and Home Selling Expert. We’ve been working in the industry for over 15 years and know everything there is to know about property. Get in touch with our experts for a no-obligation chat, or get your free quote now.