Sometimes there's no avoiding it. A new job offer or promotion demands you be in a new city in two weeks. Or maybe your new house is ready and you want your kids to be able to start the school year in their new school. Whatever the case, sometimes you have to move before your house is sold.

If you've already sold your house, the process will be much easier -- you'll just have the closing and paperwork to tend to once you move.

But if your house is on the market, or perhaps isn't even listed yet, then trying to sell it while you're in a new town -- or even in the same town in a new house -- can be more of a challenge. If it's a new-job situation, sometimes it makes sense for the spouse with the new position to go on ahead while the other stays behind to tend to house-selling matters.

If that's not possible, there are a number of things you should do to ensure your house remains secure, retains its curb appeal and sells as quickly as possible, including:

Published: November 17, 2003

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