Photo via Pexels

Pew Research Center notes that America is the top destination for many immigrants because of the availability of job opportunities, diversity, and safety. Due to the high rate of immigration in the country, officials want to ensure that everyone coming to live in the country has the best intentions for America. Below, Top Orlando Realty has listed 10 things to consider when relocating to the US. 

Preparing for relocation

Once everything is confirmed for the move, it’s time that you put everything you need together and make necessary adjustments for your move to the US. Use this checklist for an effective transition:

• Collect all necessary documents and have them translated if need be.
• Practice your English skills.
• Beware of any scams.
• Look for loans and financial aid to help reduce your expenses.
• Organize housing. 

If you want to purchase a home, it’s a good idea to spend time assessing what’s available in your area. Look for homes that meet your requirements for rooms, size, and budget.

Important documents that you need

Here are the documents you must have for moving.

• Identification card and passport
• International birth certificate
• A copy of marriage or divorce certificates
• Important bank documents
• Job application documents
• Medical and international vaccine records
• Tax records

What you’ll need after you arrive

There are several documents that are required at one time or another after you get settled.

• Local driver’s license
• Local bank account
• Health insurance 
• Pension plan
• Housing 
• Social security card

Finding health insurance can be tricky if you do not receive it from your employer. Fortunately, there are options such as the ACA exchange, from which you can shop various plans to find one that suits your needs.

Getting citizenship in the US 

Once you arrive in America, file citizenship immediately the law lets you. Citizenship protects you from deportation and will also help when your family wants to relocate to America. For someone who migrated using a green card, you can file for citizenship after 5 or 3 years. If you obtained legality through marriage, it could be less than three years.

Visa renewal delays

The immigration service (USCIS) always has delays and is constantly behind schedule. If your immigration documents have expired, you can be deported even if you have already applied for renewal.

Immigration and visa provision laws

You must abide by every law in America, most notably the immigration and visa provision laws. Be informed of what’s required of you and abide accordingly. As an immigrant, going against any law can be dire for you. Figueroa-Contreras Law Group explains that a minor violation can lead to visa cancellation, deportation, or worse, being banned from the US.  

Visa status

It’s advisable that you are always on track with your visa status and always have a copy of your document. Immigration officials have a habit of losing paperwork.

Research from reliable resources

Everyone’s legal situation is different and unique from a friend’s or family’s situation. There are many misconceptions, myths, and hearsay about immigration that are far from the truth. Do your due diligence and research from reliable sources, consult an immigration lawyer when necessary. 

Summary removals

Summary removals are when border officials prohibit you from entering the US. This can be done if they feel like you are a threat to the country or lie about your intentions to come into America. 

Visa petitions

It’s wise to file for multiple petitions if you have many family members in the US. This will increase your chances of getting a green card.

Conclusion

Before moving to America, ensure that you have done proper research on what to expect. Being prepared is key when moving to a foreign place, even if you have family and friends in the area. Hopefully, this article has given you an idea of what to expect once in the country. 
Top Orlando Realty has been in the real estate services business for many successful years thanks to a great many buyers and sellers, and their recommendations to others. Connect with us today by calling 407-284-1213!

Moving to a new city is bittersweet. You have a job to look forward to and a city to explore, but your friends and family are many miles away. It’s exciting and overwhelming all at once, and you can’t wait to start feeling at home in your new town. But first, there’s work to do.

These five steps will take you from a house full of boxes to a place you’re proud to call home.

Don’t put off unpacking

Decorating a new space is one of the best parts of moving. But unpacking box after box of dishes, linens, and office supplies? Not as fun. As tempting as it is to put off unpacking, deal with it while you still have momentum from moving. This is easiest if you labeled your boxes and packed according to priority level — if you’re reading this before moving, take note!

Unpack these high-priority items first:

• Pots and pans, dishes, and other kitchenwares.
• Bedding, dish towels, and bath towels.
• Toiletries and cleaning supplies.
• Tools.
• Electronics and chargers.
• Pet supplies.
• Clothing.

With the essentials unpacked, you can stop living out of suitcases and subsisting on take-out. But don’t stop yet: With the important stuff in its place, start deciding where to put low-priority items like seasonal decorations and recreational equipment.

Make it your own

On to the fun stuff: arranging and decorating your blank slate of a home. Start with the basics, like placing furniture to create traffic flow and hanging your favorite art. After you’ve gotten to know your home’s quirks, you’ll have a clearer vision for how you’d like to change it, whether buying new furniture, repainting, adding shelves and lighting, or a little bit of everything.

Get to know your neighborhood

Now that you’ve made your new house a home, it’s time to venture outside your four walls and explore the neighborhood. Say hello to neighbors you see (or knock on their doors if you’re feeling brave), scope out the local green spaces, and find the closest coffee shop and grocery store.

If you have kids, include them in the introductions. A new neighborhood is a big, scary place for small kids, but you can ease the transition by venturing outdoors with your children and connecting them with local activities and play groups.

Help pets settle in

It’s not only humans who feel a little nervous in a new town. Your dog or cat is likely to exhibit post-move anxiety too, but you can help pets settle in by maintaining routines and spending extra time with them. Pets may be extra clingy after a move, but with care and attention, they’ll accept the new place as home. Start exploring the neighborhood with your pup right away and look for local dog parks where he can exercise. Once he’s in the park, keep a close eye on him and how he’s interacting with other dogs. If you notice signs of anxiousness or other dogs being aggressive, it may be time to take him home.

Contact these services ASAP

You’re almost done, but first, make these essential connections in your new town:

1. Your car insurance company: Most states give 30 days to update your car’s registration, but in order to register, you’ll need proof of in-state insurance. If you’re new to the state, familiarize yourself with its minimum coverage requirements, then shop for a policy — obviously, there are a lot of car insurance options, so shop around to find what works for your lifestyle and budget. Depending on where you’re moving from, you may pay less for the same level of coverage.
2. A primary care physician: Instead of waiting until someone gets sick, find a doctor in your health insurance network, and schedule new patient visits ASAP.
3. A veterinarian: The same advice applies if your pet needs a doctor. The AVMA explains how to find a new veterinarian.
4. A babysitter: A good babysitter is worth their weight in gold. Give yourself plenty of time to find a sitter you trust by starting your search now.
5. A handyman or handywoman: You can count on discovering at least a few minor problems when moving into a new house. Ask your new neighbors for recommendations — it’s a great way to break the ice!

There’s no shortage of things to do when you move to a new town, and it’s not over once you’ve taken these steps. Expect to spend a year settling into the new location before it starts feeling like home. That may sound like a lot of time, but in a new city, you’ll have no trouble finding things to do!

Image via Rawpixel

If you came across this article before you moved, or if you rented first but now ready to buy a home, give Alex Galitsky a call 407-284-1213 and he can help you every step of the way. From getting pre-approved and finding a mortgage with best rates and terms , to finding that perfect home and negotiating a great deal. To Learn more about Alex, visit http://TopOrlandoRealty.com

NEW YORK – March 25, 2019 – Here are five reasons to list a home this spring:

1.Demand is strong
The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase … and are in the market right now! More often than not, in many areas of the country, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy the same home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2.There is less competition now
Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in the majority of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. Historically, the average number of years a homeowner stayed in his or her home was six, but that number has hovered between nine and 10 years since 2011. There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years due to a negative equity situation. As home values continue to appreciate, more and more homeowners will be given the freedom to move. Many homeowners were reluctant to list their home over the last couple years, for fear that they would not find a home to move in to. That is all changing now as more homes come to market at the higher end. The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until this other inventory comes to market before you decide to sell.

3.The process will be quicker
Today’s competitive environment has forced buyers to do all they can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved for their mortgage financing. This makes the entire selling process much faster and much simpler as buyers know exactly what they can afford before home shopping. According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the time needed to close a loan is 49 days.

4.There will never be a better time to move up
If your next move will be into a premium or luxury home, now is the time to move up! The inventory of homes for sale at these higher price ranges has forced these markets into a buyer’s market. This means that if you are planning on selling a starter or trade-up home, your home will sell quickly and you’ll be able to find a premium home to call your own! Prices are projected to appreciate by 4.6 percent over the next year according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

5.It’s time to move on with your life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should? Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

Copyright © 2019 Rockville Centre Herald, Richner Communications Inc. dba Herald Community Newspapers; Rich McQuillan. All rights reserved.

What to do next…

To get a free Home Evaluation, to connect with an experienced and Top Realtor, or to just download a FREE Report titled “How to sell your house for Top Dollar Fast” visit https://toporlandorealty.com/sellers

Recently I was working with a buyer who was looking for a piece of property at an absolute auction. After doing some due diligence and research we discovered that there used to be a gas station previously and tanks leaked. The land and water supply is now contaminated and clean up efforts are being made. The cleanup is estimated to cost around $400k. A deal quickly turned into a dud.

Use this map below to locate contaminated land. You can choose one or more search criteria:

Http iframes are not shown in https pages in many major browsers. Please read this post for details.

WASHINGTON – Thirty years ago, a NASA study found that certain houseplants can help clean the air inside space stations, and since that time, studies have confirmed that the same houseplants may be able to do that for a home or office too.

Beyond air quality, other studies have linked certain houseplants to an increase in productivity, calmness, creativity and even a better night’s sleep.

NASA recommends placing up to 18 plants in an 1,800-square-foot house to help purify the air. The best plants to use? Studies highlight these:

• Philodendron
• Aloe
• Snake plant
• Peace lily
• English Ivy
• Spider plant
• Gerbera Daisy
• Dragon tree
• Bamboo

Source: “NASA’s Top Houseplants for Improving Your Wellbeing and Removing Air Pollution,” inhabitat.com (Nov. 15, 2016)

Do you need to prepare a document that needs to be notarized? Well, here is a little blurb you can add for the notrary, so that they can quickly and easily notarize your signature. I’ve used in in Florida.

___________________________          ___________________________

                                                                                    Seal

State of _______________________

County of _____________________

        I Hereby Certify that on this day, before me, an officer duly authorized in the State  aforesaid to  take acknowledgments, personally appeared_________________________________________________________ 

to me known as the person(s) described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and Acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same.

            Witness my hand and official seal in the county and State last aforesaid this _____day of      ________________ ,20 _____ A. D.,

                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                Notary Public

                                                                                                My commission expires__________