Making Plans to Relocate to Temecula, California?
People from all over the U.S. call us through our website and YouTube channel to ask about moving to Temecula or moving to the area around Temecula. We thought it would be a great idea to produce an article and video to help people plan their move to Temecula, California.
Regardless of where you relocate in the United States, there are going to be differences in each state or city. Temecula, California, is no different. In our opinion, Temecula is one of the best cities in all of America to live in, but there are some things that you need to know before getting up and moving your whole life.
Two of the most important things that you need to figure out before your actual move to Temecula are housing and employment. As of right now, housing is going to be the most difficult obstacle by far. Whether you’re buying or renting, you need to have the facts and understand the local real estate market. I’m not here to sugarcoat things or make you feel better; I’m here to help you be successful in your move. Here are a few things you have to understand before you move out here.
Housing
Housing is the single most important thing that you need to figure out and understand before you move to Temecula. Whether you are renting or purchasing a home, there are steps that you need to take to successfully purchase or rent a home.
Renting
- Make sure you pull your credit and have a score above 650 with no lates if you plan to rent. Renting a home in this market is almost as tough as buying. Landlords are going to want to pull credit, verify employment, and see assets. Usually, landlords will want to see anywhere from 3–4 times the rent on monthly paystubs or income. Also, be aware that there will be multiple applicants for each property. Even though I do not personally do rentals, I have heard that there have been up to 70 applicants for one single home in Temecula.
- There are nice cities around Temecula like Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, and Winchester. If school ratings are not important to you, these other cities can be a little easier in regards to getting your application or offer accepted. If you are struggling to find housing in Temecula, check out these other cities.
- Don’t overextend yourself just to be here. Even if you qualify but don’t feel comfortable spending $2,800 a month for a rental, find another area or place to live. Yes, this area is beautiful and lots of fun, but if you’re stressed out about your house payment each month, sunshine will not cure this issue.
Buying
The housing market is changing all the time, but as I write this article, home prices are going through the roof in Temecula. Expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 over the list price for a home. It’s not impossible, but it can get frustrating.
My advice? Make sure that you have a very hard-working, knowledgeable agent that puts your offer in the mix on every single transaction. Simple things like calling the listing agent and trying to figure out what the seller is looking for go a long way in this market. In my opinion, the real estate profession has become very impersonal. Too many text messages and emails don’t build a relationship of trust with anybody in the transaction. That’s my side rant, but make sure you are doing your research on who to hire when purchasing a home in this type of market.
Savings
Savings correspond directly with what I was saying above. If you are adamant about buying a home before moving to Temecula, make sure you save money for the extras. Closing costs, paying above appraised value, and settling on a home that needs some work are all very reasonable expectations in this market.
No, just in general, moving is expensive. Furniture, moving trucks, stocking up on food, start-up business costs, etc. I could go on and on, but my wife and I have moved many times in the last 10 years, and it’s always been a huge expense. I would want at least a $20,000 cushion if you plan on moving to Temecula. Even some rentals are asking for the first, last, and security deposits. Be prepared to slap down $8,000 to $12,000 just for a rental.
Employment
Employment is going to be important, of course; everybody needs to pay their bills. If you plan on moving to Temecula without a job opportunity lined up, I would seriously consider holding off.
In my opinion, you can find a job here in Temecula within the first week or two of moving, but will that pay the expenses that come along with living here? A $20-an-hour job is unlikely to suffice. Unless you find an amazing deal on a room for rent or split the cost of an apartment, it’s going to be very difficult. These two things can happen, but often take a little bit of time because you have to meet people and find people you’re compatible with and wouldn’t mind living with. I think today is Diana’s day off, and I have not received a copy of the purchase contract yet. Sounds good. I think this is Diana’s day off, and I have not received a copy.
Facebook MarketPlace
Instead of moving massive amounts of furniture and belongings, Facebook Marketplace is very popular in the Southern California area. You will be able to find pretty much anything you need for your home. Because of the weather, garage sales are also popular in Southern California, and we’ve found some nice furniture for a fraction of the price if you’re willing to take your time. Bottom line? Think twice about renting a huge U-Haul and transporting junk from one place to the next.
Meetup.com
If you are coming to Temecula and don’t know anyone, meetup.com is a great place to meet some great people while doing activities you enjoy. Hiking, wine groups, happy hour groups, and farmer’s markets are just a couple of things that many of these groups routinely do. I am sure you can find pretty much any type of pastime or hobby, though.
Thank you for reading our blog. If you have any interest in moving to Temecula or the surrounding area, please read the Google reviews here for Greenleaf Real Estate & Appraisal.
We are licensed as both real estate brokers and certified residential appraisers. We love what we do and will bring a great deal of passion, experience, and expertise to the table for you.
