MOVING HOME? BE PREPARED
Moving house is often classified as one of life’s most stressful events, with a recent poll (Yopa, 2019) voting a move to be more nerve-wracking than getting a divorce, with 60% of people admitting they were put off moving to avoid the potential strain.
However, there are things you can do to mitigate the stress of moving home. David Blackmore, Partner in Residential Conveyancing at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, draws on his experience as an Estate Agent and experienced Conveyancer, to offer some tips for homeowners considering a move.
- Be Prepared
Firstly, you don’t have to do everything at once. There are several things you can do in advance of “moving day”, which will help hugely in creating a smoother process. These are:
- Make a folder for your house documents.
Bought new windows since 2002? Installed a new boiler since 2005? If you’re not sure, these could slow the process of moving, so it’s best to be prepared.
Collate all the information on your home into one place, like a folder or wallet, including things like your house deeds, FENSA and Gas Safe certification, along with any other information that might be useful.
- Speak to your insurance company.
Make calls to your home insurance company and draw up an initial plan and quote, which can later be amended and purchased much more efficiently. This will give you a good idea of costs, and reduce the need to be waiting around on hold nearer the time you move.
Not loyal to a particular insurer? Companies like Compare The Market offer a simple way to shop the market, not forgetting the 2-4-1 cinema discount you get if you choose your home insurance via their site – Simples!
- Sort out your removal company
Several removal companies offer a “provisional booking date” which can be changed or cancelled free of charge, should the worst happen, and your sale or purchase fall through. Check out the BAR (British Association of Removers), who provide a list of qualified removal companies you can trust.
- Check the School Catchments
Looking for a new nest to support your growing family? There are several ways to check catchment areas. Both Dorset Council and Dorsetforyou have interactive maps of our local county. There is also a website called Admissions Day, which allows you to select a school based on a range of factors, such as Ofsted Rating, Admission Criteria. It even has a Popularity filter, although there is a small charge for this.
Rightmove itself has a tab when checking for a home called “School Checker” which is now available on every home listed on their website.
- Get a Quote for your Conveyancing early
This takes a few minutes to gather, and can make all the difference to your moving schedule.
Choose a Conveyancer as early as possible - for example, when you choose your estate agent. This reduces the time it takes for them to complete the relevant checks (such as ID verification), and could speed up your completion date.
Above all, it’s important to look after yourself, and have regular breaks if you start to feel overwhelmed. Make a check list and stick to it, which will help you feel more in control of the process of moving, and don’t forget to look forward to the end result, your new home!
