A move across state lines has more moving parts than a move across town, and Coronado adds a few of its own. This checklist is meant to keep the big items from slipping.
Three to six months out
- Get pre-approved. Sellers on the island expect buyers who can show real financing, and it tells you what you can actually afford here.
- Choose your area. Decide which of the Village, the Shores, the Cays or Country Club Estates fits how you live, so your visits are focused.
- Ask about insurance early. Homeowners and flood quotes vary by address, and they are worth knowing before you fall for a house.
One to three months out
- Plan one focused trip. Line up several showings in a day or two, and add a commute test at the hours you would travel.
- Read the paperwork remotely. Disclosures, HOA documents and inspection reports can be reviewed from anywhere, so ask for them as soon as you have an accepted offer.
- Check permits and status. Confirm that remodels were permitted, and ask whether the home has any historic designation.
During escrow
- Order the inspections. If you cannot attend, ask for a full written report and photos, and have the inspector walk you through it by phone or video.
- Line up utilities and a mover. Island streets and parking can be tight, so tell your mover the address early.
- Do a final walkthrough. If you cannot be there in person, a video walkthrough can stand in.
After you arrive
Register your vehicles, find your local services and take a first walk down Orange Avenue. Most newcomers say the pace of the place is what they were buying, and it is worth giving yourself a few slow weeks to settle into it.
If you would like help building a timeline around your own dates, Rudy and the Patti & Jeff McKelvey Team can walk through it with you.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Related reading
- Relocating to Coronado Island: Checklists by Where You Are Coming From — Relocating to Coronado Island: separate checklists for moves from another California county, another state or…
- Moving to Country Club Estates — For movers who want a calm residential street and a settled feel.
- Relocating to ZIP 92118: A Practical Guide to Coronado — How you get on and off the island, what kinds of homes are here, and what to check before you buy. A…
- Home Guides: Practical Know-How for San Diego Buyers and Sellers — Practical guides, printable checklists and market insight for people buying, selling or moving in San Diego…