Relocating to or from the DC Area: A Guide for Buyers and Sellers

A relocation compresses months of decisions into a few weeks. You may need to sell one home, buy another, choose a neighborhood you have barely visited and coordinate it all around a start date. Whether you are coming to Maryland, Washington DC or Northern Virginia or leaving the region, the questions are similar. This guide covers the ones we hear most. Our relocation assistance services page explains how we support both directions of a move.

Should I sell first or buy first?

There is no single right answer. Selling first gives you a clear budget and avoids carrying two homes, but it may mean a short-term rental. Buying first lets you move once, but it depends on your ability to qualify for and carry two payments, or on financing tools such as a bridge loan. Talk with your lender about what you qualify for and your CPA or tax advisor about any tax effects of the sale. We can help you compare timelines, including asking for a rent-back after settlement, so you have a plan before you list.

How can I choose an area I have never lived in?

Start with the practical questions: your commute, transit access, the type of home you want and your budget. The region offers a wide range of settings. In Gaithersburg, the Kentlands has a walkable main street with shops and a neighborhood green. Columbia, in Howard County, is organized into villages, and the paths around Lake Kittamaqundi are a popular place to walk. Herndon and Reston sit along the Silver Line, and Reston Town Center is a draw for dining and events. Washington DC, offers everything from condominiums to rowhouses. Rockville and Bethesda add Red Line access and plenty of options in between.

We will send you listings, video tours and information about each area, but we will not tell you which neighborhood is "right." That choice belongs to you. If schools are part of your decision, review official school system resources directly. Buyers must verify school assignment for any address directly with the school system.

Can I buy a home without seeing it in person?

Many relocating buyers do. Live video tours let you ask questions in real time, and we can walk the street, check noise and note anything a listing photo misses. Contracts and disclosures are signed electronically. Most buyers still visit before settlement or attend the final walkthrough, but it is not always required. A thorough home inspection is especially important when you have not spent time in the house.

How do I sell the home I am leaving?

If your current home is in Maryland, DC or Virginia, we can list it, coordinate preparation through our vendor network and arrange a remote closing after you move. If you are moving away and want a sale handled from your new city, our out-of-state seller and remote closing services page explains the details.

What if my move is to another state?

Real Estate Search and Sale is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Florida, with offices in Rockville, Maryland, and Blacksburg, Virginia. Anywhere else, we can refer you to a licensed local professional through our out-of-area real estate referral services.

What about a military or employer-sponsored move?

Employer relocation packages often have their own rules about which agents and closing costs they cover, so read the policy or ask your relocation coordinator before you sign anything. Service members on permanent change of station orders face their own timing and housing questions, covered on our military relocation and PCS services page. For a step-by-step look at buying, selling or renting out a home on orders, see our guide to a military PCS move in the DC area.

How Real Estate Search and Sale can help

For more than 20 years, Real Estate Search and Sale has helped people move into and out of the Washington region, often on tight timelines. Broker Carolyn Thompson is a Military Relocation Professional (MRP), an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). She and agents affiliated with Real Estate Search and Sale coordinate the home search, the sale of your current home and a vast network of trusted service providers, from movers to cleaners to inspectors. Remote closings are a specialty. Most of our business comes from referrals. Start with our relocation assistance page.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should I start planning a relocation? As early as you can. Even a few extra weeks give you time to prepare your current home, get preapproved and review neighborhoods.

Can you help me sell my current home and buy a new one at the same time? Yes, if both are in our licensed areas. If one is elsewhere, we can refer you to a licensed agent there.

Will my employer's relocation policy affect which agent I use? Sometimes. Some policies require specific providers. Ask your relocation coordinator before signing an agreement.

Can I buy a home before I arrive? Many relocating buyers do, using live video tours and electronic signing, with a thorough inspection before they commit.

References are available on request. Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC · 24-Hour Appointment Desk: 202-630-5070 · Open 24 hours. Equal Housing Opportunity.