How do we do this? (relocation, jobs, renting, schools)

[*~Kim~*]

Ok, so we aren't planning on moving for a few years still (have to pay off the credit card and save some money), but I am lost as to how we will go about it!
We are a family of 5 (kids are 6, 4 and 1.5 now) and we rent in northern MA and want to move to Central NY (about 5.5 hours away). We want to buy a home there. My husband is a chef and works for a big corporation (he works at a private high school now, but can work in nursing homes, hospitals, corporate cafeterias, colleges or country clubs....he prefers not to work in restaurants b/c of the hours). I babysit in our home. Hopefully when the time comes, his company will transfer him, but I know we can't count on that, so I am wondering how we will do this if he has to look for work outside of his company. And obviously no one will hire me as their babysitter from this far away.

SO, we will be relying on his income only to get approved for a mortgage, and I know that you have to have a job near where you want to buy the house before they will approve you for a mortgage....so how will it work? Should he move there first (alone) and just stay in some sort of extended stay hotel and secure a job? How long does he have to be at that job before we can get approved (I thought I heard 2 weeks somewhere)? And then do we start looking for a home?

I would really appreciate some advice from someone who has been in this position! Thanks.

[Charles]

Look for jobs which offer relocation assistance.

[*~Kim~*]

I wonder if a lot of jobs are even offering that these days? Especially since he's definitely NOT in a high-paying industry. I would associate that kind of assistance with higher salaried jobs....but I most certainly could be wrong...I'm just trying to learn all I can.

[SVTLightning]

I had to stay in an extended stay when we were in the process of moving to NC and buying a house. I had to provide my first pay stub that showed my income here in NC. Everything else was in place and the only thing the lender was waiting on was the pay stuff. I provided that on a thursday and closed on friday.

[stacylee926]

The main issue will be that he has to be employed to get the mortgage and you would have to qualify on his income.

However, of course this is just my opinion , I think trying to buy a house right off the bat in another location (especially one so far away) is not a great idea. Unless you are already 100 percent familiar with schools and neighborhoods etc, it is pretty risky to invest in a home when you are so unfamiliar with the area. Then there is the stress and hassle of moving AND buying paperwork with children etc.

Personally, I would plan on renting for a year (or even 6 months) while you get settled into the area and have time to explore neighborhoods and look at homes without the pressure.

The economy is still in a state of flux so anything can happen with the housing market and job opportunities in the next year or 2.

My plan is to start weeding out and selling on EBAY to get ready.

[MaryleeII]

Have you considered renting a home with option to buy? Usually the option is good for 2 years, gives you some flexibility. Just a suggestion..........