When COVID-19 first hit, plans were immediately put on hold as stay-at-home orders required everyone to remain inside their property. People in larger cities like New York opted to move in with family members or rent a place outside a highly populated area. However, now that stay-at-home orders have been lifted and many companies have opted into a remote-first environment, people have the flexibility to live wherever they want.

Cities topping the list for relocation are:

  • Austin, Texas
  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • Nashville, Tennessee
  • Tampa, Florida
  • Jacksonville, Florida
  • Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Dallas, Texas
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Charleston, South Carolina

If you are looking to relocate this year, here are our tips to stay safe while moving during the pandemic.

Start Planning Early – While time to sell has decreased dramatically due to COVID-19, there are still COVID-19 related disruptions that can make moving unpredictable. Start planning early to make sure you have time to hiring the right moving company, spend time learning your new city’s neighborhoods, and deal with any canceled or rescheduled flights.

Lean on Your Realtor – Your realtor has the neighborhood expertise and industry knowledge to answer any of your questions. He or she is available virtually or in-person to make sure your relocation process goes smoothly.

Hire a Moving Company – Most moving companies are offering virtual estimates, and you can handle all the paperwork online. They also have outlined safety precautions and flexible dates.

Hire a Cleaning Service – Before getting settled into your new home, hire a cleaning company to do a deep clean before any of your stuff is moved in. Not only will your new home be safe of any COVID-19 related agents, but it will save you time cleaning yourself.

Sell Your Home – It’s currently a seller’s market with higher median sale prices and lower time to close. When selling your home, it’s important to make the minor repairs needed and hire a company or real estate agent that can increase its virtual appeal with photo and video.

If you’re looking to relocate and sell your current home, check out our blog on tips for selling during COVID-19.