The fast and the furiously packing: Tips for moving in a hurry

The prospect of buying a house around here remains daunting: The median price of a single-family home in Greater Boston spiked to $900,000 in mid-March. Mortgage rates have climbed above 7 percent. And the rental market is tough, too, even farther from the city: In fact, the Worcester metro area was recently named the third-most competitive rental market in the country.

But life happens: divorce, a new job, a parent who needs help. Sometimes you need to move, and fast. How can you make the process less painful? Here’s advice from the pros:

Work with the right realtor, because connections are everything. Mary Yazbeck-Saliba, with RE/Max Real Estate Center in Walpole, understands the need to move quickly: In 1991, she fled to the United States to escape civil unrest in Sierra Leone; now, she specializes in relocation. “In buying, choose a realtor who practices real estate full time, someone who you know networks with a diverse group of brokers and is well-liked and respected,” said Yazbeck-Saliba. “This is important because you can get leads before a listing goes public, and you’re likely to get an accepted offer faster. Agents on the other side [then] know the buyer’s agent will have a buyer who’s well-guided and able to close without any hiccups. You want an agent who safeguards you.”

Vet your realtor with the right questions. “Ask questions like: ‘How many properties did you put under contract for buyers in the last year?’ and ‘How do you help buyers get the winning bid in a multiple-offer situation?’” said Amy Weitzman, an agent with Commonwealth Standard Realty Advisors in Newton.

Also, ask them about lenders.

“Choose a lender that is reputable,” Yazbeck-Saliba said. “Go with your realtor’s list of recommendations. As realtors, we know who offers the best rates and service. Importantly, they will pick up your call on a Sunday night at 9 p.m. You want to hire a team who communicates and works well together. Rapport is very important, and that team will safeguard your escrow deposits at all costs. A reputable lender who can close quickly is a key player, too.”

Don’t wait for an open house. “Make sure to call your realtor right away once you see a matching home. Don’t wait for open houses to visit those homes. Private showings can be requested, and you can make offers before the open houses, giving you leverage for an accepted offer,” Yazbeck-Saliba said.

Search beyond the Multiple Listing Service and Zillow, and flex your network. “If you have a well-connected friend in the neighborhood you’re looking to buy or sell in, reach out and see if they know anyone who’s moving or looking to buy,” Weitzman said. Join town Facebook groups, too: Many towns have groups specifically for real estate listings; general town discussion groups, too, are a helpful source for insider knowledge.

Don’t let urgency override financial responsibility. “In order to buy or sell fast, buyers are waiving home inspections and their mortgage contingencies,” Yazbeck-Saliba said.

But that’s not always wise: “Waive the mortgage contingency only when you have the cash or liquidated assets for reserved funds. Losing five percent in escrow if you lose your job or get into a health crisis is too much of a gamble,” she added.

You can read the full article from Kara Baskin at The Boston Globe's website.