Your new job starts in 6 weeks, 1,000 miles away. Here's how to sell your house quickly without leaving money on the table—or carrying two mortgages.
HouseQuick is NOT a financial advisor, relocation specialist, or licensed real estate broker. This guide is for educational purposes. Consult with your employer's HR department, a CPA, and/or a real estate professional for personalized advice on your relocation.
When your employer says "start in 4-6 weeks," traditional home selling math doesn't add up. Here's the reality check:
If your house doesn't sell before you move, you're paying mortgage, insurance, utilities, and maintenance on an empty house—plus rent or a new mortgage at your destination. Average cost: $4,200/month.
Managing showings, repairs, and negotiations from 1,000+ miles away is stressful and expensive. Every issue requires hiring someone locally or flying back—neither is ideal.
Each option has different trade-offs for speed, price, and hassle. Here's how they compare:
How it works: Request an offer → receive cash offer within 24-48 hours → choose your closing date → done. No repairs, no showings, no uncertainty. Ideal when your start date is non-negotiable.
Limitation: Only available in select markets, strict property requirements (no major issues, typically built after 1960, within certain price ranges). May adjust offer after inspection.
How it works: Your employer (or their relocation company) purchases your home at appraised value, then resells it. Best financial outcome—but only 15% of employers offer this benefit.
Strategy: Price 3-5% below market to attract multiple offers quickly. Works in seller's markets, but buyer financing can still delay closing 30-45 days. Risk: buyer's financing falls through at the last minute.
Consideration: If you can qualify for a second mortgage and the rental income covers (most of) your existing payment, you can sell on your timeline. But: property management from afar is challenging, and you'll owe capital gains tax if you sell after 3+ years of renting.
Before deciding how to sell, find out exactly what your employer offers. Many employees leave thousands of dollars on the table by not asking. Here's what might be available:
| Benefit Type | % Offering | Typical Value | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Sale Assistance | 62% | $15,000-$50,000 | Agent fees, closing costs, or buyout |
| Guaranteed Buyout (GBO) | 15% | Full appraised value | Company buys at appraised price |
| Loss-on-Sale Protection | 28% | Varies by loss | Covers losses if sold below purchase price |
| Duplicate Housing Expense | 45% | $3,000-$15,000 | Pays costs while carrying two homes |
| Temporary Housing | 71% | 30-90 days | Corporate housing at destination |
| Moving Expense Reimbursement | 86% | $5,000-$25,000 | Full or partial move costs |
Even if your employer doesn't have a formal relocation policy, you can often negotiate assistance as part of your offer package—especially for senior roles. Ask: "Is there flexibility on relocation support?" Many companies will add $10,000-$25,000 to help with home sale costs if you ask.
If traditional selling is your only option and you've already moved, here's how to manage it from afar:
Choose an agent experienced with remote sellers. They should handle staging coordination, be present for inspections, and manage all showing logistics.
A limited POA lets someone sign closing documents on your behalf. Essential if you can't fly back for closing.
Ask your agent to video-call you during inspections and walkthroughs. Don't rely on written summaries alone.
Before you leave, get quotes from handymen, cleaners, and landscapers. You'll need trusted contacts for last-minute repairs.
Carrying two homes simultaneously is the relocation nightmare scenario. Here's the real cost—and why speed often beats price:
Example: Your home is worth $400,000. Should you sell fast for 90% of value, or wait for full market price?
The Gap: In this example, the traditional sale nets $8,650 more—but requires 83 extra days and comes with significant risk. If the sale falls through and takes 6 months total, the cash sale would have been the better choice.
Don't let your house hold you back. HouseQuick can close in as little as 7 days—before your start date, before you leave, before the stress begins.
Close the day before you leave, or after you're settled. Your timeline, not ours.
No financing contingencies. No appraisal issues. When we say we'll close, we close.
No managing showings from 1,000 miles away. No flying back for repairs or closings.
Relocation statistics from Worldwide ERC and Atlas Van Lines corporate relocation surveys. Analysis by the HouseQuick editorial team.