This document provides a comprehensive guide for individuals relocating to Southern California, covering essential tips such as tracking relocation expenses, obtaining pre-approval for home purchases, and the importance of hiring a knowledgeable realtor. It also outlines considerations for renting versus buying, questions to ask movers, and preparation tips for moving with pets. Additionally, resources for researching schools and local crime, as well as effective house-hunting strategies, are included.

2. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
GETTING STARTED
Once you decide to relocate you have important decisions to make
depending on your personal situation – selling your current home (or renting
it), buying a new home (vs. renting), tracking expenses, packing, hiring
movers, moving the pets, house hunting trips, and so much more
This presentation will guide you through some of the major decision points.
Visit the website listed below (not a link) for my Relocation Tips and Advice
Video Series on my YouTube Channel Playlist
Relocation Video Series – www.RelocationTipsAndAdvice.com
©JeffDowler 2014 All Rights Reserved

3. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #1 RELOCATION EXPENSES
1. Track all of your expenses – travel, food, hotel, mileage, etc.
2. Keep a file of all receipts
3. Check with your Accountant on what is tax deductible and what is not
4. If using a Corporate Relocation Package find out what is reimbursed and
what is not, what is billed directly, what expenses are covered (if any), and
how to handle receipts

4. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #2 GET PRE-APPROVED
What You Need to Know About Getting Pre-Approved:
1. Get pre-approved for your new home purchase as quickly as possible so
you know your budget (unless you can pay cash)
2. An up-to-date written pre-approval will be required with any offer
3. Be prepared to provide Proof of Funds for Your Down-Payment and
Closing Costs

5. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #3 RELOCATION PACKAGES
If you are using a Corporate Relocation Package:
1. Review this in detail right away and understand the key components
2. Find out who your contact person is and discuss any questions
3. Find out if you can select your real estate professional for selling and/or
buying or if that is the Relocation Company’s decision
4. Find out how reimbursements are handled and what receipts are needed

6. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #4 FIND A REALTOR® TO HELP
Important Issues to Consider When Hiring the Right REALTOR to Help Buy
Your New Home:
1. Knowledge of relocation
2. Uses Technology
3. Chemistry and Trust
4. Services and Knowledge

7. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #5 BUYING VS. RENTING
Important Issues to Consider When Choosing to Rent vs. Buy a New Home:
1. Your personal situation
2. Your financial situation, i.e., are you qualified to buy another home
3. Schools (if you have kids)
4. Moving twice
5. Your knowledge of the new area

8. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #6 QUESTIONS FOR MOVERS
Some Important Questions to Ask Potential Movers:
1. When can you pack and move us?
2. What are the standard and extra charges?
3. What does insurance cover?
4. How do you handle boxes I pack myself?
5. How long will you take to get my stuff to my new home?

9. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #7 RELOCATION CHECKLIST
Here are Some Key Items to Have on Your Relocation Checklist:
1. Be sure to keep a list of To Do’s and Questions to be answered –
Evernote, Hard Copy, Your iPad
2. Keep a timeline or calendar of key dates – packing, moving, travel, move-
in, closing dates on current/new home
3. List services to be opened/discontinued
4. Ask me for a copy of my Relocation Checklist to help plan your move

10. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #8 PACKING FOR YOUR MOVE
Here are Some Tips on Packing for Your Relocation:
1. Decide if you want to pack it yourself or pay to have it packed
2. Find out if boxes you pack (PBO or Packed by Owner) are insured or not
3. Find out if the moving company can provide moving boxes and deliver
them
4. Labeling your boxes is key – include the ROOM and the CONTENTS

11. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #9 SCHOOLS, CRIME, ETC.
How to Find out About Schools. Crime and Other Issues:
1. Research schools using local school district websites and sites like
GreatSchools.org
2. Contact local police departments, check city websites, and visit
CrimeMapping.com
3. Ask your REALTOR® for resources you can use

12. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #10 HELP YOUR REALTOR®
Here’s How You Can Help Your REALTOR® Help You:
1. Respond quickly and thoroughly
2. Be clear about what you want and need in your new home, and can afford
3. Learn as much as you can about the new area
4. Be flexible

13. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #11 HOUSE HUNTING TRIPS
How to Make the Most of House Hunting Trips:
1. Do your research beforehand – be thorough
2. Assemble a careful list of all the homes you wish to see
3. Take lots of notes when touring homes and communities
4. Use your camera and/or take videos of homes and the neighborhoods

14. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #12 RELOCATING WITH PETS
Things to Think About When Relocating with Pets:
1. Talk with your vet and have your pet(s) examined
2. Get copies of all vet records
3. Plan for how you are moving your pets – car? plane?
4. Make sure you have suitable carriers if traveling by plane and check
airline requirements and costs

15. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #13 PREPARING FOR THE MOVE
How to Prepare for your Move:
1. Determine when you have to be out of your house
2. Hire your movers and determine packing/moving dates
3. Plan your travel (Plane? Car?) based on when your household goods will
arrive at your new home and you will have access
4. Verify coverage for travel, etc. if using a Corporate Relocation Package

16. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #14 SEARCHING ONLINE
How to Make the Most of Searching Online for Your Home:
1. Sign up for automated listings with your REALTOR®
2. Do research on communities
3. Use Google Earth or Google Maps to see the area
4. Realize that not everything you see/read online is accurate
5. Have your REALTOR ® help screen in/out homes that work for you

17. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #15 MAKING AN OFFER
Important Things to Know About Making an Offer:
1. Be pre-approved with a current written pre-approval
2. Have your proof of funds ready
3. Review the offer paperwork beforehand and ask any questions so you
understand the process
4. Discuss an offer strategy/offer amount with your agent

18. Relocation Tips
and Advice!
”The Southern California Relocation Dude”
Tip #16 GET ANSWERS TO YOUR
QUESTIONS AND HELP WITH YOUR
RELOCATION TO CARLSBAD AND
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Call or text me at (760) 840-1360 or
Email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com
www.RelocationTipsAndAdvice.com
©Jeff Dowler 2014 All Rights Reserved