You just got the call. A brand new job in a brand new city whose start date is weeks away rather than months. It’s excitement but it’s mixed with the heaviness of one question I have to deal with on my own: what do you do about your house.
But this is where the hassle starts for many homeowners. When you include prep, showings, buyer financing and negotiation it takes an average of around 3 to 4 months to sell a traditional home from listing until closing. Your employer wants you in one of their new desks in 30 days, that schedule does not work.
The good part is that selling your home prior to an out-of-state move does not need to consist of either fair price or prompt sale. If done correctly, you can wrap everything up within three weeks, releasing you from worrying about how to own two homes at the same time.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to sell your house on a relocation timeline, from knowing your choices, to learning about the most common tax mistakes that blindside relocating homeowners.
Selling Before You Move: More Important Than You May Imagine
The problem is that it was easy to sacrifice the house for the mind. However this choice may end up costing you far more than you expect.
Owning Two Homes Comes at a Price
Your previous home won’t stop costing money as soon you move. You are still liable for the mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, HOA fees and minimum maintenance. For most homeowners, these costs can range from $3,000 to $8,000 in any given month depending on the property and location.
That’s $9K to $24K in carrying costs that are subject to being subtracted from any profit you make if your home is just sitting on the market for three months through a traditional sale.
The Capital Gains Tax Countdown Is On
This is one thing most movers forget about. If you sell your primary residence you can generally exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) if you have lived in the home at least 2 of the last 5 years according to the IRS.
That house is not your primary residence the moment you leave for your new job. If you hold out on selling for too long, you might find that this exclusion no longer applies, and you’ll owe tens of thousands in taxes to the IRS on the profit. It therefore protects that tax advantage if you sell sooner.
For example, the IRS provides for a partial exclusion of gain to taxpayers who sell due to a change in employment prior to living two full years on the property. The bottom line is simple: the faster you sell after moving, the better for your tax situation and find details in IRS Publication 523.
It is well-known that you can have a lot of problems managing the sale from another state.
Additional challenges arise when attempting to sell your home long-distance. You are scheduling showings you cannot attend, overseeing repairs remotely and pricing the home without the benefit of local market proximity. And buyers and their agents are also aware that out-of-state sellers often feel more motivated, so they can make lowball offers and use tough negotiations.
How To Sell Quickly Before A Job Transfer
RelocatablesM Selling Solutions are not your average selling method. Below is an honest overview of what is on the table and how long each method truly takes.
List Property the Traditional Way: Work With a Real Estate Agent
A conventional listing will provide you with the broadest market access and generally the greatest sale price. That also gives it the longest lead time.
These include staging, professional photography, open houses, showings to prospective buyers, negotiation of offers, inspection contingencies (if any), appraisal process and the buyer’s mortgage approval. Financed buyers now average around 43 days from mortgage processing through approval alone, excluding weeks searching for a buyer to begin with.
Timeline: 60-120 days from list to close (realistic) Who is this best for: Homeowners who have 3+ months until their start date and want the highest sale price possible.
2) Employer relocation assistance or buyout program
Relocation packages that include home sale assistance are offered by some employers. These can range from simple moving expense reimbursements all the way through guaranteed buyout programs which is when a relocation company buys you out at an appraised value.
Relocation industry data in CapRelo show that common domestic relocation packages are $5,000 to $15,000 for entry degree employees and $55,000 to upwards of $90,000 or greater for executives in 2026. Full home sale assistance is only given to approximately 20 percent of relocating employees.
Before making any decision to sell, simply ask your HR department what your package entails. It was not included in the original offer, but for executive and technical hires, home sale assistance is generally negotiable.
FEASIBLE TIMEFRAME: Between 30 days to a few months depending on whether a guaranteed buy-out or buyer value option selected Best for: Employees moving in transition, that have full relocation packages and include home sale support.
Option 3: sell your house for cash to a direct buyer.
If you have a limited timeframe to relocate, then selling your house for cash is usually the most feasible route. Cash sale also cuts the two most significant drains on time in a traditional transaction: buyer qualification for a mortgage and contingency negotiations.
Because cash home buyers often do not need to wait on a bank to approve financing, there is no deal cancellation due to an appraisal gap or long back-and-forth over inspections. You get a solid offer, you decide closing date and you are done.
Realistic Closing Timeline: 14 -21 days from offer to close. Ideal if: Homeowners needing a completion in under 6 weeks; or those who favour certainty and simplicity before maximum price.
Get Your Home Under Contract in 3 Weeks: A Week-by-Week Guide to Closing
Working With A Cash Buyer Its How a Realistic Timeline Of Three Weeks To Close Would Look Like
Week 1: Receive Your Offer and Decide In
And it begins the moment you make contact. When you have a cash buyer like at Eagle Cash Buyers you enter in your property information into a short form or just give us a call. The buyer examines the condition, location and comparative market data for your property and delivers an all cash offer within 24 to 48 hours.
You are under no obligation to take it. If the offer is agreeable to you, you settle on a closing date that suits your move. Essentially, to understand fully how a cash offer works simply put there are no financing contingencies, nor is their an appraised requirement nor are agent commissions… simple!
Week 2: Title Work and Paperwork
After you accept the offer, then they’ll work with a title company in your area to perform a title search and draft closing paperwork. This process is much quicker than a financed transaction because it does not require lender involvement.
Use this period to pack your stuff and plan your relocation. No keeping your house open-house ready, no strangers traipsing through your home, and no sudden calls from buyer agents.
When you have a mortgage on the property, the title company pays it off directly at closing. From the sale proceeds the remaining balance is paid off and you pocket the difference.
Week 3: Close and Get Paid
At this point through the closing date that you choose, you sign your last paperwork at the title organization and get your cash installment. That is it. No waiting on the buyer’s lender to close the loan, no financing fallout at the 11th hour and no chance that an escrow will go south.
Then you can free yourself to dive into your new city and get started in your new role.
Sell as it is: The Reason to Avoid repairs before Move
Another mistake relocating homeowners frequently make is putting cash and time in repair work and upgrades prior to selling. If your timeline is three to four weeks, there is little sense in using half of that time to repaint or fix the deck or replace carpet.
A cash buyer will buy a home as is. That means no cosmetic issues, deferred maintenance, or that bathroom remodel you never finished. The price that you are offered reflects the current condition of the property, meaning that after closing, it will be up to the buyer to do whatever work may be required.
This is particularly germane in the case your home has challenges that would slow a traditional sale such as issues with its foundation or kinds of repairs that screen out financed buyers. The property doesn’t needed to pass a bank appraisal so these issues wouldn’t derail the sale for an cash buyer.
Your Offer– Does the cash price QY to YRW-24 of what you would have otherwise sold for 7,735 zon.
A frequent query made to homeowners looking for a cash sale is about whether they will be getting full market value. The trade-off needs to be understood clearly.
A cash offer will typically be less than what you could get through a traditional sale after weeks or months of marketing. But this is not a simple case of A number versus B number. There is more than meets the eye with a traditional sale.
Let’s look at some real math over a $300,000 home:
Traditional sale expenses that you never see in the sale price:
- Commissions paid to buyers and sellers agents typically between 5 to 6 percent: $15,000 – $18,000
- Closing costs: $6,000 to $9,000
- Pre-sale repairs & staging: $3,000 to $10,000
- Estimated carrying costs while on market (3 months): $9,000 – $24,000
- Dirty little costs: $33,000 to $61,000
By selling your house for cash, you will not pay any agent fees or repair expenses and you may also avoid carrying costs. The amount offered is the money you get. The quick cash sale proceeds net out contributory to what they’ll retain in the wake of a traditional deal, with all of the tension and uncertainty scrubbed away for every packing box that heads down to San Francisco.
Selling Your Home for a Job Relocation—Tax Considerations
Taxes are the most ignored factor in a relocation sale. If you get this wrong, it can cost you a fortune.
The Primary Residence Exclusion
As noted above, capital gain on sales of a principal residence are exempt from taxation up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) in value under current law and the IRS. To meet the full exclusion, you must have owned and lived in the home as your primary residence for two of the five years before selling it.
Job-Related Moves: The Partial Exclusion
So, you did not meet the full two years residency requirement, but you are relocating for work: You may still be eligible for a partial exclusion. When filling out tax forms, the IRS prorates that exclusion based on how long you lived in that home versus meeting the two-year window.
Consider a scenario where you lived in your home for 18 months (75 percent of the 24-month requirement) and travelled abroad for the remaining part, you can exclude 75 percent of full exclusion amounts. This is $187,500 for single filers or $375,000 for married couples filing jointly.
You can qualify for this partial exclusion only if the sale is primarily due to a change in place of employment. Generally, this condition is met if you move at least 50 miles closer to your new job.
Employer-Paid Move No Longer Tax-Deductible—Which Plans Remain?
Interestingly, you can no longer deduct moving expenses related to a job move for most taxpayers. This deduction was completed away through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 except for active-duty military members who move because of a permanent change of station. This tax break does not exist for civilian moves, so do not budget this in.
Disclaimer: Before deciding to open this web page, consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
If You Cannot Sell Before Your Start Date, What To Do
Other times it is just not practical with numbers, or your time frame so tight that a 3 week closing feels like enough. Here are your backup options.
Negotiate a Later Start Date
NEVER ACCEPT A FIXED START DATE UNLESS YOU HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR NEW EMPLOYER. Most companies realize it takes a fair bit of time to get a home sold and will be flexible with start dates, particularly for experienced hires. Just an additional couple of weeks or so can be the difference between a rushed decision, and closing comfortably.
Ask About Temporary Housing Assistance
Most relocation packages include short-term housing for 30 to 90 days during your transition. This allows you to market your home for sale without frantically scrambling to find a place to live.
Rent Your Home Temporarily
Alternative solution: Rent your home short term if you can not sell straight away, but this offers its own unique set of challenges. As a long-distance landlord, you are in charge of the landlords ( tenants), maintenance calls for your investment property and conducting landlord duties per the laws of your state. And a lot of homeowners who give this strategy a try end up having to sell within twelve months anyway once the headaches wear them down.
Cash Offer After You Move
Even if you have moved, you can continue to sell to a cash buyer remotely. It functions exactly like that: submit your property details, get an offer, set up the closing with a title company. In several states, you might not even have to show up for the closing in person.
Relocation Selling Checklist: All The Things You Must Check-Off Before Moving
Here is a checklist prioritized by utility to help keep your sale on track:
The moment I accepted a new job:
- It is also a good idea to review your relocation package provided by your employer, and be sure to ask HR specifically about assistance related to home selling.
- But also determine what is your ideal closing day based on at least the start day
- Get out your mortgage payoff amount, records of your property taxes and homeowners insurance
- How are you going to sell it: a traditional listing, paid the employer or cash.
Within the first week:
- If you opt for the cash route, ask for your offer through cash
- When listing the property in the market, interview agents who would have experience with a fast turnover.
- Have a clear picture of your homes current market price using comparable sales
- Start sorting items you own into keep, donate and throw away piles
During the sale process:
- Επικοινωνήστε με την USPS και αλλάξτε τη διεύθυνση παραλαβής της αλληλογραφίας σας.
- Utilities, internet and home services cancel or transfer
- Tell Your Mortgage Servicer, Insurance Company and Local Tax Assessor
- If you do not have a closing date for your current home, arrange temporary accommodation at your new location
Before closing:
- Review all closing documents carefully
- Verify Your Mortgage Payoff Amount Is Updated
- Schedule final utility readings on the day of your closing
- Be prepared with your new address so the title company can send any mail relating to closing there
Relocating to Any State: Marketing Your Home
The geographical limitation is one benefit of using a nationwide cash buyer. It does not matter if you need to sell your house fast in Texas before moving out to the West Coast, or sell your house fast in Ohio for a move down South; it is always done the same way no matter where your property is.
Your home is not limited to your state as Eagle Cash Buyers operates in 44 states across the country for a fast, no-stress sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Publication record: Selling penniless, can you sell my house in 3 weeks?
Yes. Due to the absence of buyer mortgage approval, appraisal, and lengthy contingency period requirements, a cash sale can close in as little as 14 to 21 days. Financed sales are more common, but traditional financed sales rarely fit with a move timeline and often take 60 to120 days.
Should I do some repairs before selling for a relocation?
No. Cash buyers will buy homes in their current condition, meaning you do not have to spend any time or money on repairs, painting, staging and cleaning. The bid is based on the status of your house.
Am I going to lose money by selling to a cash buyer instead of through an agent?
Not necessarily. Although the cash offer will likely be lower than you would get if listing your home with an agent, keep in mind that a traditional sale comes with substantial costs like agent commissions (5 to 6 percent), closing costs, repair costs, and months of carrying cost. The net proceeds after you subtract those expenses from a traditional sale price is frequently similar to a cash offer, and you save yourself several months of frustration.
Can I sell my house for cash if I still have a mortgage?
At closing, your existing mortgage is paid off directly through the title company. The sale price goes to pay off your mortgage before you get the difference. You don’t have a separate charge against the mortgage that needs to be settled before selling.
Is moving expense tax deductible for job?
For most taxpayers, no. What is the moving expense deduction? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the moving expense deduction for civilians effective 2018. The military move deduction is still only available to active-duty military relocating as a result of a permanent change of station. Still, you will want to see if one of the benefits related to your situation could apply to you with some type of tax professional.
Can I sell my house from another location or after moving?
Yes. A significant number of cash sales are done remotely. You can enter your information about your property, get an offer, accept it and close without being there for a sign of the contract through a title company. Through remote notarization, some states will allow you to get the signing done wherever it is you are as long as a mobile notary service can meet up with you.
Is my employer obligated to assist with selling home?
Check No. Employer relocation packages range all over the place. Some offer full service packages that include guaranteed purchase of a home, others just give you a lump sum for moving, etc. Very few relocating employees receive full home sale benefits (closer to 20 percent), so before depending on your employer, check out what support you have.
What if, before moving, my house has not yet sold?
You can either ask your employer to push your start date back, rent the property while on the hunt for new jobs, continue looking remotely, or accept a cash offer once you move. Even after relocating from the property, you can still ultimately obtain an offer for cash and complete everything from outside the property.
The Bottom Line
Relocation for a job should be starting something new, not beginning months of agony trying to sell your old home. Because you know your options, and the sooner you take action, whether that’s in three weeks or three months, the better chance you’ll have to manage debt effectively without leading to financial distress.
Cash offer cash sales are fast and certain, eliminating the worry and hassle of negotiating over price right to your closing terms. Absolute cleanliness, no showings, no repairs whatsoever, and financing delays. A fair offer, a closing date that works for your schedule, and the ability to move on with your life.
Want to sell your home ahead of your job transfer? You can call Eagle Cash Buyers today to get your free cash offer in exchange for your property and you can begin closing in as little as 3 weeks with no obligation.
