Hi, I'm Todd Kornack with Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services, and yes, one agent can handle both sides of a move across the river, as long as that agent is licensed in both states. I hold Kentucky license 271180 and Indiana license RB22002416. Here is why that matters and how a two state move usually goes.
Why the license matters
Real estate licenses are issued by each state. An agent licensed only in Kentucky cannot represent you on an Indiana purchase, and the reverse is true too. Without a dual license you end up with two agents, two sets of phone calls and two people trying to line up two closings that depend on each other. When I hold both licenses, one person sees the whole picture, and the timing of your sale and your purchase stays in one plan.
The most common moves I see
Some families sell in Louisville or Shelby County and buy in Jeffersonville, New Albany or Charlestown because the price or the commute fits better. Others go the other way, selling in Clark or Floyd County and moving to La Grange, Shelbyville or East Louisville for a job, schools or more land. I also help folks heading farther east along the river toward Madison. The steps are the same in each case.
How I set up a two state move
First, we figure out which comes first, the sale or the purchase. Most people need the money from their current home, so we talk with a lender early about options like making your offer contingent on your sale, or lining up closings on the same day or a few days apart.
Second, we price and prep your current home. A home priced right from day one sells faster, and a fast sale gives you leverage on the purchase side. I go over recent nearby sales with you and suggest the small fixes that matter most.
Third, we shop on the other side of the river with a clear list. Commute, school district, yard, and budget all go on paper before we tour.
Finally, I coordinate both closings. Kentucky and Indiana do some things differently. Kentucky charges a state transfer tax on the seller of $1 per $1,000 of value, while Indiana does not have a state transfer tax. Property tax schedules and income taxes differ too, so we review those before you sign anything.
A real example of why this helps
This year I helped buyers in Floyds Knobs and Patriot, Indiana while also working listings in Kentucky. Clients told me it helped to have one person who knew what was happening on both deals. That is the whole idea: fewer handoffs, fewer surprises.
If you are thinking about a move across the river, give me a call and we will map out the order of steps before you list or make an offer.
Todd Kornack, Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services. Your agent on both sides of the river. Call or text (502) 232 1915 or visit https://toddsellskentuckiana.huzi.site/
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