Before you agree to relocate for a new job, do the math on the cost of living change. Flickr/MoneyBlogNewz/CC-BY-SA
Finally, businesses are starting to hire again. Many people will be faced with the choice of whether they should move in order to take on a new job. Before you accept a job and a salary offer, be sure to take into consideration the cost of living in the location you’re moving to. Also, if you must sell your home, be smart about home-staging — getting your home ready to sell for the best price.
Small businesses making new hires
Thanks in large part to small businesses, unemployment is receding and people are finding jobs. For those who have been unemployed for a long time, taking the first job and salary offer that comes along is tempting. However, when that job offer comes with the caveat that you must relocate, take careful consideration. First, check the cost of living comparison. Second, if you own a home, consider what it will cost and how long it will take to prepare it for sale.
Cost of living comparison
A great salary in Spokane, Wash., might be only enough for Ramen Noodles and a studio apartment in Portland, Ore. Any time you receive a salary offer in another area, make sure that salary will be enough to maintain your lifestyle. CNN Money has a cost of living comparison calculator (linked below) that calculates what salary you’d need to make in a different area to maintain your current expenses. It also breaks down where the extra money goes. For example, housing in Portland is 53 percent more expensive than housing in Spokane.
Selling a home in a down housing market
If you are looking to sell your home, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to spruce up the place. Replacing bathroom and kitchen hardware and new paint are common ways to make an old home look new. However, many of the most important aspects of making a home attractive are free — but easy to overlook. HGTV provides a comprehensive that covers everything from clutter cleanup to furniture arrangement. Follow the link below to a solid checklist of ways to improve your chances of selling your home.
Sources
CNN Money Cost of Living Comparison
