Making The Most Of A Big Move Overseas

February 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Moving home is challenging for just about anyone, no matter where you’re moving to. It’s a big decision, and it gets even bigger when you decide to pack up and take everything to a new country. Here, we’re going to look at how you manage the overseas move without letting stress overtake the whole process.

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Visit ahead of time

Culture shock is a very real and surprisingly profound experience and it can completely destroy your experience of a place if you’re unprepared for it. The best way to get around culture shock is to visit and stay at a location for an extended period to really get to experience it. You will also want to network a little and make some friends who can help you transition to life over there more easily.

 

Spend plenty of time finding the right home

Much of your quality of life is going to be determined by where, exactly, you live. This might be determined in part by where you get a job or where a spouse might live. However, look at house listings and apartment sales to get a thorough idea of what kind of property prices you can expect.  Looking with a local estate agent is a good idea as well, as they can help you better navigate the market.

 

Get a good idea of the costs of living

Save, save, and save. Moving can be costly and moving overseas can be doubly so, so save as much money as you possibly can. However, you can plan a little by doing some research on the costs of living in the country that you’re moving to, as well, seeing how far you would be able to stretch your existing budget over there.

 

Get to know the health care system

Governments run things very differently in other countries, and the health care system of the country you’re moving to is likely to be drastically different. You may have to budget for a different kind of private insurance, or you might find yourself covered by the state, with optional insurance or even total coverage that’s taken out of your taxes instead. Just do your research because finding yourself suddenly without health care or paying more than you expected in taxes without knowing why can be quite the surprise.

 

Make some final touches

Once you’ve taken care of all of the essentials and know what you’re getting into, then it’s time to take a few final steps. For one, get in touch with your bank and phone provider. You may not want to get rid of your current account just yet as you may have some bills and outstanding loans to deal with. Make sure to make copies of essential documents like your passport, birth certificate, and driver’s license as you’re likely to need them.

 

Of course, the one thing that we’re not going into is what it takes to move overseas legally. Each country has its own approach to immigration law and getting a visa or permanent citizenship, so it’s important to do your research and know your way in. Otherwise, keep the tips above in mind.

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4 Tips On Buying Your First Home

February 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

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So you’re considering buying your first home? Ahead lies an exciting time full of new beginnings, investment gains, and home decor fun. Before you get to all the perks, it’s time to get the red tape out of the way and deal with the practicalities. 

 

1 . Saving early 

 

Rule number one, if you’re looking to buy, it’s well worth saving early. You may not be entirely certain that you want to purchase a home right now, but if it’s something that you wish to do in the future, you definitely won’t regret saving early. Remember, it’s preferable to put down as large a deposit as possible.

 

  1. Assess your budget 

 

When you are looking to get on the property ladder, the first thing that you need to do is assess your budget. You can have a go at doing this yourself with the use of a budgeting app. Mint, for example, is a top app that allows you to track all of your financial accounts in one place from your general bank accounts to credit cards, investments, and loans. Mint uses your income and expenses to create a budget for each category and help you to determine how much you can stand to save.

 

  1. Mortgage shopping 

 

Once you have a good idea of your budget yourself, you should also make an appointment with a mortgage adviser so that they can give you a professional assessment of how much you could potentially borrow. Ensure to take all of the appropriate documents when you go to meet your mortgage adviser, including payslips, details of credit commitments, and various forms of ID.

You should certainly shop for a mortgage before you begin the process of viewing houses. The last thing you’ll want is to find your dream house to then miss out because your mortgage is not yet finalized. Your mortgage lender will complete a credit check to assess your options moving forward. Remember, the sooner you get a mortgage in place, the sooner you’ll be in the best position to start making offers.

 

  1. Must-haves

 

With a mortgage sorted, you’ll be ready to get house hunting. Before you do so, it’s a good idea to figure out exactly what you are looking for and define your ‘must-haves.’ Ask yourself what is most important to you, be it the cost, the size, garden space, or even the neighborhood. If you’re looking to keep costs down, you might be looking for smaller Apartments for Sale as opposed to going for a house on your first buy. Perhaps you’re particularly interested in a new build home that is fully energy efficient? Maybe it’s important to you to be close to a station to commute to work? Whatever your needs are, be sure to define them before you start looking.

Getting on the property ladder can be a long and drawn-out process, so it’s essential to stay patient. It may take a little time to secure a great place, but rest assured, the wait will be worth it. Moving house can be a slightly stressful process, be sure to get organized early to avoid the pressure.

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