10 Remarkably Simple Ways to a Stress-Free Home Move.

Let’s face it, moving home can be an anxious time.

The world can seem to be moving very slowly while you’re waiting for this or that to happen and fall into place.

You market your home and agree a sale. You find a suitable property to buy. You keep your fingers crossed the building survey will be okay. You hope your Bank or Lender’s computer says yes to any mortgage request.

And then, you endure the Conveyancing process until you finally exchange contracts and agree a completion day to move.

The problem is you’re not really in control.

But, you can do a few things to help yourself.

Do as much as you can early on and ensure that you do everything in the correct order.

We’ve collated a simple, straight-forward list of all the ways you can make your home move as stress-free as possible!

1. You can’t find time, but make sure you can make time.

You should allow yourself plenty of time to make your house look presentable. Put yourself in the shoes of your potential buyer; begin to de-clutter, touch-up, redecorate and carry out any minor repairs to increase the value of your home. 

For example, it’s a good idea to de-personalize the space so that buyers can see your house as their potential home. To make your home more welcoming this winter, follow these quick-fixes from JDG Estate Agents.

If you need some more home-improvement advice, see our post  Ship, Shape and Bristol Fashion.

2.  Get at least 3 valuations or market appraisals from Estate Agents.

This is crucial to give you a clearer idea as to how much your house is worth. Don’t be flattered by the highest price.

If your house is too high you may need to lower the price later, thus wasting valuable time. Here is a blog by Howce Estate Agents which will prove useful when deciding on your asking price.

For more advice on what you should consider when choosing an estate agent, click here.

 3.  Know what to look for in choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor.

Choosing your Conveyancer is an important decision.

Don’t be tempted to take the easy route and go with the Conveyancing service that your estate agent refers you to.

Some estate agents are owned by corporates who also own Convenveyancing firms. Some are paid referral fees by third party intermediaries or Conveyancing Law Firms to refer conveyancing for them.

Some Estate Agents may choose your Conveyancer on the basis of who pays the most and not the most efficient.

Be your own boss – a little bit of research will pay dividends for you in the long run.

For further information on choosing your conveyancer, click here.

4.  Sort Your Mortgage.

Once you have decided to move home, it is important to speak to mortgage lenders or mortgage brokers as soon as possible.

The mortgage climate has changed: just because you have a mortgage now doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to get one as easily the next time round.

And, with all finances in place, you will be a more appealing to an Estate Agent to recommend your offer to his or her Seller.

5.  Be Realistic.

Once you have agreed a price on your sale you will be in a better position to negotiate on the price for the property you are buying.

If you accept £10,000 less on your property and negotiate a reduction of £10,000 on your purchase, you have not lost any money.

6.  Organise your paperwork.

Keep important paperwork for your house in a file so you always know where to find everything when you need it.

Ensure that certificates or guarantees for any work that has taken place on your property are kept safe. Easy access will help speed the conveyancing process up.

For some further advice on organising your paperwork for your move, check out this useful blog.

7.  Don’t Skimp on the Survey.

A lot of home-buyers believe that a survey isn’t necessary for a number of reasons, but mainly financial.

However, we cannot stress enough how important it is to carry out a survey. You could go through the whole process and sign the contracts, only to discover that the house is riddled with damp and rot- but by then it’s too late to do anything.

So our advice is: Pay for the best and avoid regrets. You’ll be surprised; even new houses can have faults. Save your cash and time and invest in a good surveyor.

For more information on why it is so important to carry out a survey, click here.

8.  Avoid same day exchange and completion.

See our slideshare: How to get all your Ducks in a Row Between Exchange and Completion and find out why the greatest possible stress is guaranteed if you seek to exchange and complete on the same day.

9.  Visit in Rain and Shine.

View your new house at different times of the day to ensure you’ve made the right decison. For example, if you like your afternoon barbecues in the summer, ensure that the sun shines on the garden from midday onwards.

It’s also a good idea to bring someone along with you who has different tastes to yourself; they may pick out something that you wouldn’t normally notice.

Don’t be afraid to ask blunt questions, after all, this is one of the biggest investments you will ever make, so cold hard facts are crucial at this stage.

10. Communication, Communication, Communication.

Keep in touch. Report anything to your Conveyancer or Estate Agent, no matter how minor you think it is. You need to build trusting relationships; they are on your side after all.

Your Conveyancing Solicitor and Estate Agent working together can manage your expectations and ease you towards your exchange and moving date.

Would you like some more home-moving advice? Download your free Property Bootcamp PDF now.

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