Moving to a new home can be quite a demanding and stressful time. This is mainly down to two reasons:
- There is a lot to consider, and it can be overwhelming jumping through all of the necessary hoops,
- People don’t allow themselves enough time to plan ahead and look into all of their options before biting the bullet.
According to research published in the Express back in 2015, “…moving house is more stressful than a relationship breakdown, divorce or even a new job.”
But does it have to be so stressful? Well, in our opinion, a little planning goes a long way to reducing that stress and opening up opportunities based on what you need: how quickly you want to move, what you hope to gain from your house sale, and whether or not you need to plan for variables to the process.
We spoke to Andy Tanner of Excalibur Removals, a Local Bristol removal company, and he offers his top five tips for moving home.
Tip 1: Plan for the unexpected
No matter how prepared you are, something is always bound to crop up during a house move that you didn’t initially anticipate.
So, spend a little time considering the ‘unexpected’. For example, it’s good to research ‘plan B’ options if anything were to change or go wrong. Look into temporary accommodation options and how much they might cost. Speak to friends and family in advance and ask if they might be willing to accommodate you for a few days should you be in between homes or should anything fall through in the process.
Look into the various insurance you could benefit from, such as transporting your goods, accidental damage and loss, etc. It’s best to cover yourself as much as is needed with a move – even if it adds a moderate amount to your budget. As well as accommodation, look into storage facilities that offer great rates on temporary storage of furniture and belongings. You never know, you may just be glad you got some quotes in advance.
Tip 2: Use a trusted moving company
If you are planning on taking your furniture with you to your new home, take the time to find a reputable removals company. Yes, it is tempting to go with the closest, cheapest and most readily available option but, do the maths.
If the removals company is cheaper than the rest, and they have more dates available in their diary, chances are it’s because they aren’t as experienced or as trusted as those who have been working in the industry for years.
Do a little digging and compare prices, by all means, but add testimonials and/or reviews to your checklist when you’re doing your comparisons. What’s more, ask about insurance. The more reputable and reliable companies will have insurance already in place, without any hefty additional charges.
Tip 3: Make your house ‘market ready’
This is where we encourage you to take a step back and give yourself the time you need before you start shopping around for a move. You will get the most out of moving if your property is in a position to stand out from the crowd. Being ‘market ready’ means that your property is likely to attract potential buyers faster, making the selling process easier than having your home on the market for months on end.
So, what exactly is involved in being ‘market ready’? There are a number of ways you can improve your chances of a faster sale and an increased market value. For example, if you have the budget to convert an unused space, or to add an extension, allow yourself the time to do this.
It will add value to the property, and it will attract more interest than the competition. Redecorate, or ‘neutralise’ your décor. Buyers will likely want to put their own stamp on the property, so keeping the tones neutral allows them to envision their own unique style more easily.
Tidy, clean, and prepare to make your sales photographs look just like a show home. With photographs and ads online being one of the most dominant ways for people to browse properties these days, your pictures should pop from the page in order to grab attention.
Tip 4: Have a little extra in the budget
What we mean by this is, put some money aside to go the extra mile. For example, if your property could use a little TLC; sanding down a door, re-plastering the walls, upgrading the blinds, windows or doors, take the time to get this done in advance of the move.
The little extras go a long way towards making a quicker sale, and you will earn the money back through the profit you make on the newly refreshed property updates you have made. Similarly, be prepared to find a few DIY projects lurking in the property you are choosing to move into.
Even if you’re moving into a new build, it doesn’t hurt to keep some money aside for slight modifications or fixes in the future.
Tip 5: Know your options, and explore them thoroughly
Before you put your house on the market, take into consideration your current needs and circumstances. For example, what is your budget and when would you ideally like to be out of your property and into your new one? With this in mind, research the different advertising options available to you.
For example, you could choose to go with a traditional highs street agency who will likely do most of the work for you but will charge an associated fee or, you could opt for an online agency, where you have greater control over how your house is seen and advertised and likely at a lower, more affordable cost.
Whatever your circumstances, the key is to allow yourself time to plan. If you take into consideration all of the factors mentioned above and plan out stages and options for each, as well as quotes and a budget. You will be putting in place a moving itinerary that will reduce the stress of your move, and make for a much smoother process overall.
