ERA Real Estate tapped HGTV enthusiasts for their attitudes toward relocation and found 1 in 3 Americans would consider moving to another state in the next one to two years. The main motivators for such a major move include financial as well as lifestyle considerations. Find 4 under-the-radar relocation markets: http://www.slideshare.net/ERARealEstate/2013-relocation-market-spotlight-final "While U.S. unemployment has declined and real estate values have been on the rise, many Americans who met with financial challenges during the last five years may be looking to make a change by moving to a new job market," said Charlie Young, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate. "That not only makes good financial sense, but would likely increase their quality of life." For those who would consider relocation, the primary financial drivers are better job opportunities and a lower cost of living, while curiosity about new places and better weather were equally important in the lifestyle consideration set. For those who were not interested in a major move, (72%) of respondents reported it was because they were happy living in their current local market. With U.S. Census data pointing to increased "migration" -- the number of people who moved out of state or region in 2012 increased 6 percent over 2011 -- and ERA brokers citing an increased interest in self-directed relocation, ERA Real Estate partnered with HGTV to dig deeper into the American appetite for relocation. "As the overall economy and job market improves, people are more likely to consider a major life change that is on their terms, not because they have to," said Dr. Leslie Reiser, a behavioral expert who worked with ERA Real Estate to understand consumer psychology, attitudes and behavior surrounding relocation. Moving to a market with better job prospects, a lower cost of living and better weather appears to be favorable, even if it means leaving family and friends behind. Additionally, ERA Real Estate also conducted a national survey of its real estate brokers, who cited an improving economy and real estate market as the main reasons that their clients find relocating more attractive than it was 2 to 3 years ago. Other findings include: :: 63% of ERA brokers reported that homebuyers and sellers are more open to the idea of moving to a new area, outside of their current local market :: 48% of the brokers said that they are seeing an increase in the number of people in their market relocating, driven equally by financial reasons (lower cost of living, better job opportunities, increased equity position and lower home prices) as they are motivated by lifestyle reasons (better weather, closer to family/friends, retiring, curious about new places) :: The 2 most important selling points in finding a home for a client who is relocating are home prices (29% of respondents) and schools (28%). Proximity to work was important for 17%

1. RETHINKING RELOCATION
2013 DRIVERS: OUT OF MARKET MOVES

2. RETHINKING RELOCATION
ARE PEOPLE MORE APT TO MAKE A BIG
MOVE NOW?

3. RETHINKING RELOCATION
ARE PEOPLE MORE APT TO MAKE A BIG
MOVE NOW?
YES!
ERA Real Estate / HGTV survey reveals an appetite for exciting
opportunities and experiences.

4. RETHINKING RELOCATION
RENEWED INTEREST IN RELOCATING
 U.S. unemployment is declining .
 Real estate values are improving.
 According to U.S. Census data, “migration” is on the rise. The
number of people who moved out of state or region in 2012
increased 6% over 2011.
 ERA Real Estate brokers are citing an increased interest in selfdirected relocation.

5. RETHINKING RELOCATION
WILLING TO MAKE THE MOVE
Would you consider relocating to a
new state in the next 1-2 years?
37%
63%
Yes
No.
Source: ERA Real Estate / HGTV.com Consumer Survey, 2013

6. RETHINKING RELOCATION
NOW THAT HOMEOWNERS MAY BE IN A POSITION TO
MOVE, WHAT ARE THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE
CONSIDER RELOCATING?
Majority Said
 Financial drivers
 lower cost of living
 better job opportunities
Close Second
 Lifestyle enhancers
 good weather
 exploring new areas
Source: ERA Real Estate / HGTV.com Consumer Survey, 2013

7. RETHINKING RELOCATION
DEMOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING, SURVEY SAYS:
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People in their early 20s and 30s are the most likely
to have recently relocated and the most likely to
make a major move in the next 1-2 years.
People in their 30s and 40s are the most likely to
relocate to experience a new place.
People in the Northeast and the West are more
interested in a lower cost of living.
People in the South and Midwest are looking for
better job opportunities.
People in the Northeast and Midwest are more likely
to be looking for better weather.
People from the West are more likely to move
because they are curious about new places.
Source: ERA Real Estate / HGTV.com Consumer Survey, 2013
Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

8. RETHINKING RELOCATION
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION:

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Living near the beach is a huge draw for 42% of
respondents. Living near the mountains was a close
second at 28%. A place with cultural offerings was
also attractive.
People considering a move are primarily looking at
states in the South Atlantic –
Delaware, Maryland, DC, Virginia, West Virginia and
North Carolina.
The Pacific states of California, Washington and
Oregon are also popular as are Western states:
Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and
New Mexico.
States in the South and Midwest were not on the
radar screen:
Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Te
Source: ERA Real Estate / HGTV.com Consumer Survey, 2013
nnessee, Iowa, etc. courtesy of Sura Nulapradid at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image

9. RETHINKING RELOCATION
®
AND THE ERA BROKERS’ SURVEY SAYS . . .
ERA brokers from around the country reported
conditions in their local markets:
 63% say home buyers and sellers are
more open to the idea of moving to a new area.
ERA Real Estate clients find
relocating out of their local
market today more
attractive than it was 2-3
years ago.
 48% say they are seeing an increase in
the number of people in their market relocating.
 Driven equally by financial and lifestyle
reasons.
Source: ERA Real Estate National Broker Survey, 2013
Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

10. RETHINKING RELOCATION
FINANCIAL & LIFESTYLE MOTIVATORS
Brokers agreed with our consumer survey findings;
reasons for moving, according to ERA® brokers are:
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Lower cost of living
Better job opportunities
Increased equity position in their home
Lower home prices
Better weather
Closer to family / friends
Curious about new places
“Many Americans who met financial challenges during the last 5 years may be looking to
make a change by moving to a new job market. That not only makes good financial
sense, but would likely increase their quality of life.” – Charlie Young, president and CEO of
ERA Real Estate
Source: ERA Real Estate National Broker Survey, 2013
Image courtesy of ddpavumba at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

11. RETHINKING RELOCATION
FOR BUYERS RELOCATING, WHAT IS TYPICALLY
THE SELLING POINT WHEN CHOOSING AN AREA?
Major selling points for a
relocating client:
• Home prices
• Quality of schools.
Least important for relocating:
• Real estate taxes
Source: ERA Real Estate National Broker Survey, 2013

12. RETHINKING RELOCATION
WHEN RELOCATING, ON AVERAGE, WHAT DO BUYERS
LOOK FOR IN A HOME? HOME FEATURES
1st – Luxury upgrades
2nd – Smaller home size
3rd – Larger home size
Source: ERA Real Estate National Broker Survey, 2013

13. RETHINKING RELOCATION
OUR BROKERS’ ADVICE CONSIDERING RELOCATION AND
HOW TO KEEP COSTS DOWN:
®
Source: ERA Real Estate National Broker Survey, 2013

14. RETHINKING RELOCATION
DR. LESLIE WEIGHS IN
“As the overall economy and job market
improves, people are more likely to consider a
major life change that is on their terms, not
because they have to.”
- Leslie Reisner, Ph.D, clinical psychologist and a national expert
on behavioral change

15. RETHINKING RELOCATION
WHY WOULD SOMEONE CONSIDER A BIG MOVE?
 To better understand current attitudes toward relocation, we
collected insight from:
 Acclaimed clinical psychologist Leslie Reisner, Ph.D
 HGTV enthusiasts – consumer survey
 ERA Real Estate brokers – broker survey

16. RETHINKING RELOCATION
ERA REAL ESTATE’S 2013 RELOCATION FINDINGS HAVE
BEEN FEATURED IN THE NEWS RECENTLY, INCLUDING:
• MARKET WATCH
• REAL ESTATE ECONOMY WATCH
• HOUSING WIRE
• LOCAL NBC AFFILIATES

17. RETHINKING RELOCATION
READ MORE RELOCATION INSIGHTS FROM ERA REAL ESTATE:
• VIEW OUR RELOCATION REAL ESTATE– 4 UNDER-THERADAR MARKETS TO CONSIDER DECK ON SLIDE SHARE
• REVIEW OUR RELOCATION INFOGRAPHIC, CLICK HERE