Landing a new job promises an exciting new chapter. And then the reality of packing, organizing, and, if you own a home, getting it ready to sell starts to sink in. Between coordinating your move and juggling work responsibilities, it’s easy to feel like there’s too much to do at once. Relocating for work isn’t just about getting from one place to another. It often means navigating a home sale while keeping up with everything else life throws your way.
The good news is that the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this guide, we help you draw up a plan that will make your move and your home sale go much more smoothly.
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Determine if your company has a relocation package
The first thing you need to do if you’re moving for a job is to determine if your company has some kind of relocation package. A company may or may not get involved in the cost of the move, so talk to your company to see how they’ll assist you. Sometimes, your company will provide temporary housing or reimbursement for moving expenses.
“It’s more of the norm that if you’ve accepted a position in another location, the company will assist with the whole move from where they’re originating to where they’re moving to,” Laurie Davies, Florida’s top-selling real estate agent with 45 years of experience, explains.
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Laurie Davies Real Estate Agent
Laurie Davies Real Estate Agent at The Keyes Co.
Currently accepting new clients
- Years of Experience 45
- Transactions 276
- Average Price Point $617k
- Single Family Homes 197
Not all relocation packages are created equal, so it’s important to know exactly what’s being offered before you make a decision. Asking the right questions early can save you time, money, and stress later on. Here’s what to ask your employer:
- Does the company offer a relocation package, and what does it include?
- What type of financial assistance is provided: lump sum, reimbursement, or direct payment?
- Which moving expenses are covered? Are packing, transportation, and temporary storage included?
- Is there support for selling a home or breaking a lease if needed?
- Does the package include temporary housing or house-hunting trips?
- Is there assistance for a spouse or partner’s job search in the new location?
- Are there repayment clauses if you leave the company within a certain period?
- Does the company offer tax gross-ups to offset taxes on relocation benefits?
Options for selling your current home
A work relocation often means making important decisions on a tight schedule, especially if you already own a home. How you handle your current property can affect both your moving timeline and your finances. Before making a decision, it’s worth understanding the paths available to you.
1. Outsource some of the items on your to-do list
Selling a house involves a lot of work to get the property ready to be listed, but you don’t have to tackle each task on your own. You can hire professionals to help whittle down your to-do list. These professionals can include:
- Contractors to tackle home improvements or repairs
- Painters to repaint the interior and exterior (if needed)
- Landscapers to get your curb appeal on point to make a great first impression
- Full-service movers to help you pack and move
2. Sell quickly with a cash offer when relocating for work
If the company doesn’t offer a relocation package but you’re worried about relocating and need to sell your house fast, you can sell it online and receive a cash offer with a few clicks. Although you may not receive the same amount of money for your property as you could with a traditional home sale, your house will sell infinitely quicker.
Typically, the home sales timeline is about 73 to 93 days. Attracting a buyer takes about 30 to 50 days, followed by an additional 43 days to close a loan.
In contrast, when you sell your house for cash, you can close in between seven and 10 days.
If that piqued your interest, here’s how it works.
Head over to HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform and enter a few details about your property. Then, our platform will connect you with our network of cash buyers who are ready to make an instant cash offer. You’ll then be able to compare the top cash offer against the estimated value of your home if it were on the open market.
3. Work with a real estate agent
If you aren’t in a position where you need to sell quickly, working with a real estate agent to sell your home is a must. They know your local market better than anyone and can run a comparative market analysis to set a competitive yet fair price for your property.
It’s a common misconception that starting with a high price will yield more money, but that’s not true. If your price is off, your property will linger on the market longer, which usually means you’ll end up making less. Selling quickly at a fair price can mean more money in your pocket.
Also, when you work with a real estate agent, they can recommend how to increase your property’s value and stage your home. Additionally, they’ll have marketing tools and a robust network to ensure your house reaches the broadest pool of well-qualified potential buyers.
Think of your real estate agent as your personal assistant through your home sale. Top sellers’ agents sell homes faster and for more money, while top-performing buyers’ agents are experts in negotiations and neighborhoods.
Tips for navigating housing in your new location
Moving to a new city means getting familiar with more than just your workplace. You’ll also need to figure out where you want to live and what fits your budget and lifestyle. A little research upfront can make the transition much smoother. Use these tips to settle into your new home right away:
1. Learn as much as you can about your new city beforehand
Figuring out housing in a new, unfamiliar place can be challenging. “Learn some information about the new area and see if properties are available that would suit your needs or are in your price range before putting your house on the market,” recommends Davies. In many locations, she says, “There’s a shortage [of housing], and you should know what’s available in the new market.”
Also, researching housing prices in the new area will help you figure out how much money you’ll have to put toward your new home or how much you’ll need to finance if the proceeds of selling your current home won’t cover the expenses. The costs you’ll need to subtract from your sale proceeds can include:
- Mortgage balance
- Real estate agent’s commission*
- Attorney fees
- Local fees
- Taxes
*Although the new agent commission rules decoupled the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent fees, you may still feel compelled to cover the buyer’s agent commission to lock down a sale. The typical cost is 2% to 3% of the home’s sale price, depending on your negotiations with the buyer.
Remember that when researching house prices in a certain neighborhood, you should also look into the cost of living in that area. You may come from a rural area where everything has a reasonable price, but the cost to live in your new city could be much higher or vice versa.
»Learn more: As you plan your next home purchase, you’re probably asking how much you’ll walk away with after selling your current home. Use the Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate your costs and see your potential take-home amount before you move.
2. Consider renting before buying in the new city
If you need to sell quickly and your new company doesn’t provide a relocation package, you may have difficulty finding a house to purchase in your new city right away. The low housing inventory creates another layer of complexity.
Although finding homes for sale may be challenging, you still have to find a place to live when relocating for work. We recommend considering renting close to your new job. It may not be ideal, but you can start your life in the new city and won’t have sleepless nights worrying about buying a house while selling your old one.
Davies adds that if your company does have a relocation package, you may have access to temporary housing. “With the way the market is now, the company probably has to give people a long time to find a new house because there isn’t as much inventory on the other end.”
3. When you’re ready, connect with a top buyer agent
A real estate agent familiar with your new city or town can help make homebuying easier. You’ll have a lot on your plate, and a top-rated professional will be there for you every step of the way.
“The real estate agent is there for you, and their experience will help you get this done. I think an experienced agent specializing in relocation is an essential part of the process because they know how to do it and make sure that you get to your destination at the right time with the least amount of stress,” adds Davies.
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. We’ve introduced over 1 million buyers and sellers (and counting) to top local real estate agents.Connect with a Top Agent
Relocating for work should be exciting, not stressful
As you start this new chapter, you’re probably going to feel a mix of emotions and that nagging sense that you might be forgetting something. You might even second-guess whether this move is really the best choice for you and your family. That’s completely normal, as this is a big life change.
If ever you feel like you’re getting in over your head, take a step back and breathe. If you’re anxious about buying a house in a new area, talk to a real estate agent with experience working with relocating families and voice your concerns. They aren’t just helping you buy a house. They’re helping you start this new chapter of your life on the right foot.
As Davies says, “We’re here to remove that stress and help you have a smooth transition.”
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about relocating for work
There’s no one standard number, but many packages fall somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000 for domestic moves. For international relocations or senior roles, it can go much higher. It really depends on the company and how far you’re moving.
Think beyond just the job offer and look at the cost of living, housing, commute, and how the move fits your life overall. It’s also smart to check what relocation support you’re actually getting and whether it covers the big expenses. And honestly, timing and personal readiness matter more than people expect.
Usually, it just means you keep your current role, or the offer may no longer stand if relocation is required. Some companies might try to find a remote option or another position, but that’s not guaranteed. It really depends on how essential the move is to the job.
Yes, in many cases, relocation packages are taxable because relocation benefits are generally treated as part of your compensation. Under current U.S. tax law, most employer-paid moving expenses are considered taxable income unless a specific exception applies.
Even if your employer pays movers directly, it can still be taxed as if you received that money yourself. Some companies offer a “tax gross-up” to cover the extra tax burden, but without it, the value of your relocation package can feel noticeably lower.
It really depends on where you’re going, how much you’re shipping, and how complex the move is. International moves usually include flights, transportation of household goods, visa fees, and sometimes storage or temporary housing along the way.
On top of that, costs can vary a lot depending on distance, shipping method, and customs requirements, so it’s rarely a flat number. The biggest surprise for most people is how quickly small costs stack on top of each other.
Header Image Source: (Alex Tan / Death to the Stock Photo)
English (US) · 