Moving for a job: How to prepare

Moving for a job can be an exciting opportunity. It’s a fresh start in a new place you may have never considered making your home. To help ensure a smooth transition from your old life to your new one, it’s important to plan, stay organized, and understand what the relocation process may have in store for you.

This guide to relocating for a job can serve as a moving checklist as you prepare for this major life change.

A checklist for relocating for a job

1. Evaluate your employee relocation package

You may have access to an employee relocation package when you’re moving for a job. In the 2025 Atlas Corporate Relocation Survey, 58% of the companies surveyed reported having a formal policy for domestic relocations. This survey, which has been done annually since 1968, investigates moving and relocation trends. The most recent survey also found that 63% of companies who responded said their relocation budgets would increase in 2025 and that the most common lump sum payments for relocation benefits were in the $10,000 to $12,499 range.

If you’re not sure how to ask for relocation assistance, you’ll want to reach out to your employer’s HR or benefits department. To be reimbursed or take advantage of these relocation benefits, you may need to follow specific instructions from your employer. They may put you in touch with a relocation management company.

Here are some things that may be covered by a relocation package:

• Fees associated with breaking a lease
• Moving vehicle rentals or the cost of hiring movers
• Temporary housing (if you can’t find a new home right away)
• Travel expenses (including trips for house hunting)
• Storage rentals
• Costs associated with selling your existing home
• House hunting assistance (for eligible candidates)

2. Research cost of living in the new location

The first step in finding a new home in a new city is figuring out how much homes cost there. You can begin the research yourself by checking websites like Redfin.com to look at home listings in the area where you plan to move. You may also want to reach out to a local real estate agent who can give you a general idea of the sales prices of homes where you will be moving.

You’ll also want to understand how much you can spend on a house. The Rocket Mortgage Home Affordability Calculator may provide insights. You will enter your income, down payment amount, credit profile, and home location, and the calculator will give you an idea of how much home you can afford in your new area.

Depending on your timeline, you may also need to buy a home sight unseen. This is when you purchase real estate without touring the property in person. Instead of being there physically, you might look at the home through a virtual tour, pictures, or video clips using 3-D and video presentations. While this isn’t always ideal, it can be the best option if you must move quickly.

3. Create a budget

You can create a realistic moving budget based on the anticipated expenses.

Here are a few moving costs to consider including in your budget:

• Moving truck
• Moving insurance
• Packing materials
• Shipping a car/driving to a new city
• Hotel stays or restaurant purchases during the move
• Expenses related to selling your current home or breaking a lease
• Down payment or new rental or home purchase

Factor in any relocation assistance your employer offers before shopping around for moving rates. It’s important to know which expenses the company’s relocation package will cover and which ones you’ll be personally responsible for.

4. Find a real estate agent

Having a trusted real estate agent is invaluable when searching for a new home in a new city. You’ll want to find an experienced real estate agent to sell your current home and help you find a new one. Here are a few of the things an agent can help with:

• Finding a neighborhood that meets your needs
• Researching local schools for you
• Help you find a home with an active social community so you can meet new people
• Sending you listings of potential homes
• Explaining the local real estate market
• Going to open houses on your behalf
• Sending you videos and pictures of homes
• Drawing up offers for you
• Helping you negotiate a good deal

If you’re wondering how to find a real estate agent, you may want to reach out to friends and family for references. You may also be able to get referrals from your employer’s relocation service, if you have one.

5. Have your paperwork ready

When you’re looking for a new house in a new area, it is vitally important that you have the necessary paperwork for your new job. This will help streamline the process of buying a new home.

Here are a few of the things that you will want to have ready:

• A copy of the job offer
• 1 month of pay stubs
• 2 months of bank statements
• W-2s from the last 2 years
• Federal tax returns from the last 2 years
• Records of 2 years’ worth of bonus income
• Real estate agent’s contact information
• Recent retirement account statements

The Rocket Mortgage Relocation Checklist runs through the most likely documents and information that you’ll need as part of the relocation process.

6. Submit an offer on an affordable home

If you’re relocating to your new home within the next 3 months, you may want to submit an offer quickly. It can take 30 to 60 days to close on a new home, so the sooner you start the process, the better. Delaying the process can possibly lead to a situation where you must move to a new town for your new job but without a stable housing situation. A mortgage preapproval can help expedite the timeline for buying your new home.

7. Reserve a moving company

The summer months are the busiest season for moving and the most expensive months to move. Movers may be booked well in advance, so it’s good to consider this as you decide when to hire a moving truck. If you’re looking to save some money, booking a mid-month and mid-week move may allow you to get the best price. You’ll also want to check with your employer if you have any moving benefits, as these expenses may be covered under the terms of your relocation agreement.

8. Update your tax information

As soon as you know you’re going to relocate to another state, it’s important to learn and understand the tax laws in your new jurisdiction as soon as possible. For example, you could be moving from a state with no income tax to a state with an income tax, which could affect your take-home pay.

You’ll also want to update your address with the IRS to ensure you don’t miss important communication. You may owe state income taxes to two different states for the year that you move, so make sure to file in both locations to avoid potential penalties or interest.

The bottom line: Relocation teams make life easier

Relocating for work can feel like a double whammy for some. The stress of a significant life change and the routine challenges of buying and selling a home can be overwhelming. To help minimize that stress, prioritize preparation. That means developing a realistic timeline, creating a budget you’ve padded for contingencies, and collecting all the necessary documentation you’ll need to provide real estate professionals, from agents to lenders.

If they offer it, make the most of your employer’s relocation management program. Take advantage of their consultants, additional resources, contacts, and any financial aid or loan options.

If you’re ready to relocate with Rocket Mortgage^® by your side, start an application today.