This time of year is typically busy for people relocating into the Boston area. In this month's “Get Smarter,” Nick discusses the tools BHHS Warren Residential has to help someone find a home or sell their existing property. He also offers tips for those new to Boston!

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Late summer and early fall are typically busy times for relocation in the Boston area. What tools does BHHS Warren Residential offer for people relocating into the area?

When I started the company back in 2008, I focused on building a website that was positioned to attract buyers looking to move to the Boston area. Most of these people were relocating from different areas around the country so I had to figure out ways to accommodate their needs. This involved gathering resources for neighborhood information, creating guides for purchasing a property in Boston and learning the right questions to ask in order to find out what they really needed.

Since those early times, we have added additional tools to our arsenal like RealScout, a collaborative home search tool that we give all of our buyer clients access to. This allows our clients and their agents to save their search preferences beyond simple criteria like beds and baths and highlight listings that meet their needs best. For example, our clients and add preferences like “Lots of Natural Light” or “Open Kitchen” and the system’s algorithm will prioritize those listings for them, saving tons of time and frustration.

And for those looking to sell?

When it comes to selling, determining our client’s goals is the first step we need to take. When it comes to relocating, some sellers need to sell quickly in order to buy a property in their new city. In other cases, they have more flexibility and only want to focus on getting the highest price. Once we figure that part out, we work together to craft a unique plan of action to achieve whatever their goal might be.

Another benefit to working with us when relocation out of Boston is our extensive network of over 50,000 agents across the country and internationally. We will take care of connecting a seller with a vetted agent in their new city who can help them find a new home to purchase or rent. This can help relieve a lot of stress in the relocation process.

What 3 pieces of advice would you give someone moving to the Boston area?

Moving to a new city can be a daunting process but these 3 tips should help make it a little less stressful:

1. Reach out to an agent as soon as possible - Even if you are months ahead of moving, I highly recommend reaching out to a local real estate agent, especially if you are not familiar with the city/town you are moving to. Boston is made up of 23 unique neighborhoods with their own pros and cons, price points, and look and feel. Your agent should be able to ask you the right questions to help you narrow down where you should be looking, even if you aren’t sure yourself!
2. Get ready for a little sticker shock - Unless you are coming from NYC or San Francisco, you are likely going to be a bit surprised with what you get for your money here in Boston. We have some of the most expensive real estate in the country so you should do as much research as possible ahead of time to figure out what your budget gets you. Going back to tip #1, a local real estate agent can save you a ton of time by guiding you to the right neighborhoods based on your needs and budget.
3. If possible, try not to move on September 1st! - Over 75% of Boston’s apartment inventory turns over on 9/1. This means the city is inundated with moving trucks and frustrated people trying to get settled into their new apartment. If at all possible, try to move into your new apartment or schedule your closing on a different date, even if this means staying in a hotel for a couple of days. You can thank me later for this piece of advice.