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Relocating & two mortgages
Relocating? Sell your Tulsa house on your timeline, not the market's.
A new job, a transfer, moving closer to family, or you already bought the next place and you're paying two mortgages. If you need to sell your house before relocating, or after you've already gone, we can help. For over 25 years we've bought Tulsa-area houses as-is, on a closing date that fits the move.
- Close before or after your move, your choice
- Sell from out of state, no trip back needed
- No repairs, showings or commissions
Congratulations on the new chapter. The old house didn't get the memo.
The new job starts in three weeks, the movers are booked, and the house still needs a buyer. Or you already moved, and now you're paying for a house you're not sleeping in. That's a great way to learn exactly how much it costs for a house to just sit there.
Our job is to take one big thing off your list. We'll explain your options in plain English and help you pick the one that's best for you. Sometimes that's selling to us. Sometimes it's listing or renting, and we'll tell you so. We help people, not just houses.
Paying two mortgages? Here's what the empty house really costs.
The mortgage payment is just the start. Every month an empty house sits, you're usually also paying for:
- Property taxes and insurance, whether or not anyone lives there.
- Utilities, because you can't let the pipes freeze or the yard turn into a jungle.
- Upkeep from a distance, like lawn care, someone to check on it, and the repair call you get from three states away.
- Insurance risk. Many homeowners policies limit coverage once a house has been vacant for 30 to 60 days, especially for vandalism, theft and water damage. Call your insurance agent before you move out.
Add it up, and a few extra months of waiting on a buyer can cost thousands. Selling to us means you know your closing date up front, so the double payments have an end date too.
Relocating for work? Check your relocation package first.
Some employers include help with selling your house in their relocation package, like covering closing costs, offering a guaranteed buyout, or paying for a few months of double housing. Ask HR exactly what's included before you decide anything. If your package covers the sale, great. If it doesn't, or the timeline doesn't work, we're a solid backup plan.
Either way, the hard part of a job relocation is usually timing. You can't control when a buyer shows up or when their financing comes through, but your start date isn't moving. With us, you pick the closing date, and it can line up with your last day in town or your first day at the new job.
Sell before you move, or after?
Both can work. Here's how they usually compare:
- Selling before you move. The money is ready for your next down payment and you never pay two mortgages. The catch is you may need a short stay somewhere in between. In some cases we may be able to let you stay a little while after closing. Just ask.
- Selling after you move. No rush to pack and only one move. But the house sits empty, the costs above keep coming, and you're managing everything from somewhere else.
- Should you sell before buying? If you can, selling first is usually less stressful because you know exactly what you have to spend. If the timing doesn't work, a bridge loan or a contingent offer on the new place can help, but both come with their own costs and risks.
Your options with the house, honestly
There's more than one right answer. Here's how they compare.
Fix it up and list it
The way to aim for full retail price. That usually means repairs, staging, keeping the house show-ready while you pack or after you've left, and waiting on a buyer's financing. A great fit if the house is in great shape and your timeline has room.
Rent it out
Rent can cover the payment and you keep the house. You also become a long-distance landlord, usually paying a property manager. A great fit if the rent comfortably covers everything. More on that on our page about rentals and tenants.
Bridge loan or buy-before-you-sell
Borrow against the old house to buy the new one, then sell later. It solves the timing, but you're carrying two homes and paying interest until the old one sells. A great fit if you have strong credit and a house that will sell quickly.
Sell it to us
As-is, no repairs, no showings, no waiting on a buyer's lender. You pick the closing date around the move, before or after, and leave behind anything you don't want to haul across the country.
Already moved? You can sell your house from out of state.
You don't need to fly back to sell your Tulsa house. Here's how it usually works:
- We handle the walkthrough. We'll coordinate access with you, a neighbor, a lockbox or a property manager.
- Your offer comes in writing. Review it from wherever you are, and take your time.
- Sign from anywhere. The title company can usually handle signing by mail or with a mobile notary near you.
- Leave what you don't want. The couch that wouldn't fit in the moving truck, the garage shelves, the paint cans. Leave them. We'll handle it.
Will you owe taxes when you sell?
Maybe less than you think. Many homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples, on a home they've owned and lived in for at least two of the last five years.
Moving sooner than that because of a new job? If your new workplace is at least 50 miles farther from the house than your old one, you may qualify for a partial exclusion, even if you haven't hit two years yet.
We're not CPAs and this isn't tax advice, but we're glad to talk through how your sale might play out, including timing and closing dates, so you go into your CPA's office with good questions and a clear picture.
How selling before or after your move works with us
Four steps, and no obligation at any point.
-
Tell us about the house and your move date
Call, text, or fill out the form, from Tulsa or from your new city.
About 5 minutes -
We look at the property
In person, around your packing schedule. If you've already moved, we'll coordinate access.
Usually within 24 hours -
You get a written offer
A fair cash offer, in writing, so you can plan the next move with a real number.
No obligation to accept -
You pick the closing date
We close through a licensed title company, before or after the move, and you can sign from anywhere.
As fast as 14 days
Relocation questions we get a lot
Can I sell my house before I move?
Yes. Selling before you move means the money is ready for your next place and you never pay two mortgages. You pick the closing date, so it can line up with your start date or your move-out day.
Can I sell my Tulsa house from out of state?
Yes. We handle the walkthrough and access locally, send your offer in writing, and the title company can usually handle signing by mail or with a mobile notary wherever you live. You don't need to fly back.
Should I sell my house before buying a new one?
If you can, selling first is usually less stressful. You know exactly what you have to spend and you avoid paying two mortgages. If the timing doesn't work, a bridge loan or a contingent offer on the new place can help, but they come with their own costs and risks.
How can I stop paying two mortgages?
Sell the old house, rent it out, or refinance. Renting can cover the payment but makes you a long-distance landlord. A quick, as-is sale is often the fastest way to stop the bleeding, since there are no repairs or showings to wait on.
Should I rent or sell my house when I move?
It depends on the numbers and how you feel about being a landlord from a distance. If rent comfortably covers the payment, repairs and a property manager, renting can work. If not, selling is usually cleaner.
Does homeowners insurance cover an empty house?
Not always. Many policies limit coverage once a house has been vacant for 30 to 60 days, especially for vandalism, theft and water damage. Call your insurance agent before you move out.
Will I owe taxes if I sell before I've lived there two years?
Maybe less than you think. If you're moving because of a new job that's at least 50 miles farther from the house than your old one, you may qualify for a partial home-sale exclusion. We're not CPAs and this isn't tax advice, but we're glad to talk through how yours might play out before you meet with yours.
Can you close on my relocation timeline?
Yes. You pick the date, as fast as 14 days or later if you need it. In some cases we may also be able to let you stay a little while after closing. Just ask.
Am I obligated if I ask for an offer?
Nope. Get our offer, compare it with your other options, sleep on it, or walk away. We won't chase you.
Let's talk it through
No obligation, no pressure. Just a real conversation with one of us about the house, the move, and what makes sense. Your call.