I am thinking of moving out of state and wondering if anyone else has done so? What were your biggest challenges? Any tips or advice you can share with me?

I've done a few of those moves . . . . always make friends with the Registry of Motor Vehicles early, even if you have to hold your nose. See if they will recognize your current driving experience and grant you a new Drivers License without Examination(s), and find out how quickly you have to obtain that License.

What US State or Commonwealth are you currently residing in . . . . and what is the destination State ?

If you're using a moving company, watch them like a hawk! Make sure you have a good inventory of your stuff and that it matches their inventory. (I had renters who worked for a nationwide mover who were ripping people off like crazy.) Also, watch for damages - make sure pre-existing damage is noted on the inventory forms & take pictures of any new damage for making claims when you receive your belongings on the other end of the trip.

If you're moving straight into your new home when you arrive, arrange for the utilities to be on when you get there. Nothing like spending a cold night in January, huddled under all the blankets and comforters you could locate, haha. (Been there - we burned up most of the wiring in the house the day we moved in; it wasn't ready for a microwave, electric skillet, electric stove, and a tv to all run at the same time. Thank God to this day that the house didn't catch fire!)

Those were the biggies . . . Good luck with the move if you do it!

Currently in Michigan, and thinking of going to Raleigh North Carolina. I make a good living here, but the values have dropped so much that it's not even worth my time to sell REO or show buyers any houses. The whole area hasn't completely gone down the crapper, but the majority of my sales are $50,000 or less. I also do quite a bit of BPO's here as well. In all honesty I make a good living here, but I feel like i'm being held back by the prices in our market.

The good news is I have my brokers license in Michigan, so all I need to do is fill out an application, and pass the NC state exam. The bad news is I have to fly there to take it. Talk about a big waste of money if I didn't pass it, and I know it usually takes a couple weeks to reschedule. I passed my brokers exam my first try in Michigan, so I should be okay. My plan is to take a test prep class one day, and schedule the test within a couple days from that. That's what I did here and it worked well for me.

It's just a strange feeling to pick up and move. I have lived in Michigan for 29 years (my whole life) and I know the market so well. I could go into almost any neighborhood within a 30 mile radius and determine a value of a home on the spot. I know the area and market like the back of my hand. After visiting Raleigh a few weeks ago I fell in love with the place. It's a beautiful city, and the best part is the market seems like it's a lot better. The values are much higher, which is what i'm looking for.

As far as moving I think my fiancee and I would do it ourselves. I think hiring the pros would cost too much. We don't have a ton of stuff like furniture or anything. Most of it is smaller stuff like clothes or electronics. The furniture we have is light, and if it were damaged it wouldn't be that bad.

Did you hook up with "broker" in Cary, NC ?

I have a Brother in Apex, NC and other Friends in Asheville and around the Research Triangle, where I seriously considered Graduate School at Duke . . . . but went elsewhere.

I don't think the NC Summers are as pleasant as what you experienced in the Fall.

You'll fair well; but I don't think you'll encounter a shortage of competition.

I've only spoken to a couple brokers in Raleigh. One was coldwell banker, and the other is Remax (who I work for now). I can stand a hot humid summer if it means I get a warmer winter

I'm in my second week of real estate in a new market. From Ohio to NW Florida. I was an agent in Ohio for 10 years. Starting over is tough! I know very few people here and this area is a tight community. I didn't get to where I am today by not working, but I sure did take for granted some of the basics that I "get" to do again... If anyone else has any tips, please share!

Holy Cow. $50,000 per deal? Wow I don't blame you for moving. You would have to do a ton of deals to make a good living. I'm from Michigan. Been in Utah about 20 years now. Still miss it and have thought of moving back but felt I wouldn't be able to make a living so never did.

I wish you all the best in your move.

Why did you move from Ohio? I am still planning another trip to NC after the holidays so I can take some time and view the area. Last time I went I didn't get to do as much as I wanted. I want to make sure I really like the area before I start prepping for the test.

within a week
I will have different ppc campaigns
using free classified sites
target market super stealth direct mail direct response campaign to your high end renters..

then within 2 weeks
im going to make it rain on every fsbo and expireds
with super stealth direct mail campaigns-direct response..

and I will be..GASP..calling them

within week 3
im going to identify in the market the most active kinds of sellers..then im going to target market super stealth direct mail campaign them as well

week 4 im going to start building a center of influence..
well who has influence in your market..I know..
Im going to find joint venture partners..
with every cpa, financial planner, dentist, doctor, chiropractor
bankruptcy attorney, estate attorney, divorce attorney in your town

Then I will rinse wash, repeat, rinse wash repeat..

starting over might be easier than ramping a current biz..

it forces the proactive approach..
in a new market..
you cant rely on seo,social media or referrals..

this is a good thing..back to basics..

http://www.youtube.com/imsdesignation#p/u/6/ZG7XkR6Q2Cw

I thought I would bump this up and see if anyone else has made a move to a new market. I am taking Lendenmoe's advice and also the advice of others.

I moved to Washington from Texas in August - entered real estate in October.

It's been a challenge, obviously, I knew no one. But after a few weeks of "laziness" (yes, I've been a bit complacent perhaps), things are finally staring to come together for me.

I will say that one thing which has jump started getting to know people for me, was volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce - which was in desperate need of help in my area. With my specific skills, it put me in direct, one on one communication with members - mostly local business owners. My goal then, was simply to meet and get to know people - and I've accomplished that. I've been studying the market at the same time, and now I feel I'm ready to get busy.

I like what Lindenmoe had to say too - definitely an action plan there. I'm about to launch a PPC campain of over 1200 very geo-targeted keywords (and growing). But, I have experience doing that professionally, so that's an edge, and probably not normal (or manageable) for most circumstances.

And Lindenmoe - if you see this... can you define what you mean by "Super Stealth direct mail campaign." And if you don't mind sharing, what calls to action to you include in the mailers? I assume you do something different for each type of mailer?