Moving house can be incredibly stressful during normal times and, more particularly, when there are huge fluctuations in mortgage rates and when we are staring at an energy crisis in the UK. In the UK, normally, the housing market begins to get busier from Boxing Day and extends into spring, after a quieter December when people are more focused on enjoying the festivities. Home search activities tend to ramp up from Boxing Day as people plan a New Year move. Some promising activity in the housing market during the festive period indicates a good sign for the rest of 2023.
According to many housing websites, on Boxing Day 2022, a record number of people chose to put their homes up for sale. They have a head start and will benefit from more viewings over the next few weeks as people return to their routines. To make moving homes less stressful you need to have a solid plan in place. Undoubtedly, the scale of the task is enormous, and many elements of uncertainty are involved. This checklist will help you plan every step of the move better and smoothly.
Check what is A Good Time to Move
Most people want to start their new year afresh, and that is why we see families planning their moving close to Christmas and before the new year sets in. Every year there is a marked increase in searches and moves from Boxing Day to the middle of January. Boxing Day Bounce is the term used by the industry for this development.
Needless to say, if you are planning to move home during this period, you will have to compete with many others for various services related to the move. You may end up using the service of an inexperienced moving company due to high demand. Perhaps it is better to avoid the end-of-the-year moving crowd and plan it for another time of the year if your needs are not too pressing.
Evaluate the Cost of Moving
Cost is the biggest deterrent in moving home right now as interest rates are rising steadily. There are many financial factors, such as mortgage prices, surveyor costs, solicitor fees, stamp duty, removal costs, and many others. Get an estimate of these charges to know what you have in hand to spend on the property. Use a mortgage calculator to determine monthly repayments. Knowing these costs will help you set up a budget accordingly. An unplanned and unbudgeted move can likely put you in a financial hole.
Make A List Of Things You Want To Move
Nearly all homes are cluttered with items that are no longer needed. Taking clutter to a new home can make the removal process more time-consuming and cost you extra. It is a good step to declutter your existing home and dispose of the things you no longer need. It will help you move into a clean and uncluttered home.
Use The Services of Experienced Moving Professionals
Hire the services of a moving company to experience a smooth, secure, and hassle-free move. Do not try to do it all yourself. Moving is a complex task involving multiple steps, some of which are critical. An expert will know how to handle these steps and complete the process smoothly. Hiring a moving expert is guaranteed to reduce the stress associated with home moving.
The moving process doesn’t end with shifting to a new home. There are many other things to do even after the moving day. Settling down in a new home comes with its own set of challenges. Planning for everything in advance and minute details are important to ensure a less stressful move and a relatively smooth settling into the new home
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