Talk To Your Agent About These Topics When Dealing With A Short Occupancy Date

Upon selling your home, you'll often have a period of several weeks or even multiple months to pack and vacate the residence before the agreed-upon occupancy date. This is the date on which the house keys are turned over to the new owner. Occasionally, however, you'll end up dealing with a short occupancy date—perhaps a buyer has submitted a higher offer but needs the home sooner. A short occupancy date can involve a bit of scrambling on your part, but your real estate agent can help you with the necessary arrangements. Here are some things to discuss when you're facing a short occupancy date.

Short-Term Rental Accommodations

One of the challenges that a short occupancy date causes is that you may have to move out of your home before the closing date on the home you're buying. This can leave you without a home for a period of time. While you may simply be able to live with family members, you can also talk to your agent about helping you secure short-term rental accommodations. You won't want a 12-month lease; you'll need somewhere that you can live for a significantly shorter period of time. In some cases, your agent may be able to secure you a spot in an apartment or condo for just a few weeks.

Rental Facility For Possessions

In many cases, you'll need to store your possessions if you end up moving into an apartment or condo, or move into a relative's house. Ask your agent for help with securing a short-term rental of a unit at a self-storage facility. You'll need to make sure that the unit is large enough to hold the majority of your possessions, and the agent can help with making this size estimate. Many real estate agents also have box trucks that you can use to transport your possessions, thus saving the cost of renting a moving truck.

Renegotiation Of Your Move-In Date

You can also rely on your real estate agent to see if your move-in date for your new home might be negotiable. For example, if it's a month away and your current home's occupancy date is two weeks away, your agent may be able to negotiate with the selling agent to see if your move-in date can be brought forward a bit. Even bringing it forward a few days can be enticing when you'll be living in a rental unit or with family.