Looking to Relocate?

If you are thinking of relocating to North Idaho, we have some advice for you…

Know what you are getting into!

Having relocated from California 20 years ago, we know firsthand the sacrifices and struggles associated with the relocation process. We had to find the right area, the right home, news jobs, new schools, a new church and new friends.

We have lived here, worked here, served here, played here and raised our kids here. This is our home. We know from this side of the bridge, what the lifestyle of North Idaho is all about.

As Realtors here since 2014 (Bonnie) and 2016 (Kory), we have chauffeured clients tens of thousands of miles throughout North Idaho in all seasons, looking for homes. We have bought and sold homes in all of the communities of North Idaho and helped approximately 400 families make the relocation from other states to those communities.

When it comes to giving advice about relocating to North Idaho...we have a unique first-hand perspective and the experience as one of the top real estate teams in all of Idaho. 

So, whether you are years out or weeks out, here are the two things we suggest you do so you know what you are getting into:

Do your homework - on the web that is! This is the work you can do without a Realtor and without physically being in North Idaho. Google, Facebook and Youtube should be your BFFs. Research the different communities i.e. their population, their culture, their history, what they celebrate in their community events, google their politicians and what platforms they ran on, follow the weather, join FB groups for those areas, follow Realtor pages (like LiveBetterinNorthIdaho.com) to learn the overall market. Subscribe to different local periodicals i.e. the local newspaper, at least the Sunday edition. 

Do your groundwork - visit with the intent to learn the area. Come on vacation, but block out time to tour the area. This is not looking at homes, nor is it just driving around looking at communities. At The Martinelli Realty Team we recommend a “Recon-cation.” It is a combination of the words reconnaissance and vacation. It is a systematic tour comparing the different communities against each other for how they serve your lifestyle. How are the roads, the facilities, the neighborhoods, the wells (if rural), any HOAs or CCRs? How is the proximity to things important to your lifestyle i.e. access into the woods, horse riding, fishing, hunting, healthcare, shopping, dining, sporting events, church, schools, etc. Visit during different times of the year to see how weather and tourism affect the areas. Attend the local events and festivals, churches if applicable, and walk and shop the main streets. We also recommend you stay VRBO/Airbnb in the communities you are interested in, rather than staying in a hotel. The goal is to identify the community or communities where you will want to live and then search for a home.

It is best to get a systematic tour from a trusted Realtor who knows the areas intimately. Doing the tour with a Realtor allows you to get answers to your questions in real-time. It also allows you to vet the Realtor. Do they know the answers to your questions, are they patient, trustworthy and fun to work with? If a Realtor does not want to drive you around, and instead wants you to look at and buy homes...get another Realtor! And another insider tip...don’t sign any contracts with a Realtor until you decide to actually look at homes with them. If you have the time, have two or three Realtors give you a tour. Why not? You gain their cumulative knowledge and you can figure out who you really enjoy working with! 

So, we hope this gets you going in the right direction. If you are interested in a tour of the area or any of our resources you can reach us here. 

Written by Kory Martinelli - Owner/Realtor of Martinelli Realty Team | Silvercreek Realty Group