I find moving house, uprooting my possessions and centre of my world and replanting somewhere else very stressful, but exciting at the same time. Last year when we moved, my husband was away sailing (professionally not for recreation and doing a father and son trip he’d planned for a year) and I’d just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, and has inflammation through my entire body. It was extremely hard. Below are some tip I discovered during the process. I’d also just lost my uncle, so I was in a big of a mess. It was blog posts with tips like this that really helped me. I hope this helps you when it comes time to move.
Moving house can be stressful, and extremely tiring. Everyone who is currently moving home is wishing that it was over in a second. You might make harsh decisions when choosing your next place to call home, and this will have long term consequences. If you are trying to make the most out of your new property, maximize the benefits of moving, and get settled quickly, you should avoid some of the common mistakes made by those who have been in your shoes before. Make sure you take moving seriously, plan ahead, and take your time, and you will succeed.
1. Don’t Rush Into Moving House
You can get a property for rent while you are searching. If you have to sell your home urgently, you are better off waiting until the right home comes on the market at the right price than jumping on the wrong property and regretting it. If you have to move due to an illness or work, and cannot find a suitable home, you can always stay with friends or family members, or rent a small place. This way, you will not have to stress yourself out house hunting all day, just to find that there is nothing in your price range you want.
If you come across a home that is priced unbelievably low, you should start asking questions. Instead of assuming that the owners are desperate for money, you need to talk to the realtor, and ask them about the reason behind the owner’s decision to sell. While the realtor is not likely to give you a straight or honest answer, you can get the hint. Make sure that all the checks and surveys are completed before you make an offer and commit to buy, Check out the neighborhood and search for pending planning permissions. The last thing you want is buying your dream house and having to put up with a new factory only a few hundred yards away.
2. Put off Decorating Until You Know Your House
You might think that you have found your dream home when moving house but in reality, you might need to wait until you turn it into the perfect house. You need to give the house to give out its secrets, instead of trying to embark on a huge remodeling project. Many people start decorating their new home as soon as they move in. They have a clear idea of how they want the home to look like, and are later disappointed in the results.
Allow yourself time to explore the opportunities provided by your house. If there are similar houses or flats in the neighborhood, feel free to ask neighbors to look around. The worst thing that can happen is them saying no, and the best is that you will get inspiration from other people and make friends in the process.
You might be tempted to put your DIY skills in use straight away and start your decoration, but it is not a good idea. You should first check how you can arrange your existing furniture, how much space you have left, and ask for help from a professional who can point out the strengths and weaknesses of your new home, so you can create a plan together.
3. Research the Location and Costs when moving house
Many people fall in love with properties without paying attention to details. Do you have to pay for parking in the street? How much will the insurance be for next year? These are the questions you should be asking yourself before you start the moving process. This way, you can avoid some of the simplest and most annoying mistakes of house moving.
Even if you are happy about leaving your old neighborhood behind, you are likely to face a huge change in lifestyle. Ask yourself if there is a large supermarket nearby that sells your favorite meals? What is parking like? Do you have to take the bus to work? How much will commute cost you a year? What is the best deal you can get on your home and car insurance in the area
The average cost of moving house in the United States is between $1,800 and $4,200, depending on the size of your house, and the items you want to take. Interstate moving costs can cost thousands. This means that by the time you are in your new home, you might be short of cash, and you don’t want to pay too much for your new services. Check the prices and the local facilities, before you make up your mind.
One thing that happened to me was that I used a cleaning company that did not do the job. I gave them the key, and the money, and came back 2 hours later and he had not even vacuumed. Check the references of your cleaning comp;any or get a recommendation. Don’t try to save money on cleaners.
4. Keep an Eye on Real Estate Trends when moving house
While practicality, location, and space comes first, you should also take into consideration the future value of your home if you are upgrading or downgrading. You might think now that you will live in this house for the rest of your life, but things can change. You might have to move, and you don’t want to get less money for the house ten years down the line than you paid for it.
You can ask your realtor before you commit to buy which improvements are planned in the area. If they are planning on building a new shopping center nearby, and a large office building for an international company, you are in luck. If there will be plenty of new houses with superb facilities and condos offering a better lifestyle, your property’s value might drop soon. You want to get the most out of your investment. Check out if there is a way you can improve your home to instantly increase its value further down the line.
5. Protect Your Credit Rating
It is important to think things through before you apply for additional credit when moving house. If you refinanced to get your new home, or applied for an extension on your mortgage, chances are your credit rating has been reduced. This means that if you apply for more money to renovate your house or do a complete remodelling you will need to get another credit check and will be offered higher rates. It is best to plan ahead and get all the finance you need.
If you keep on applying for credit every few weeks, due to not being prepared and not planning ahead, you will be struggling to get your finances back in shape after your move. Ask a professional to give you an estimated cost of all the work that needs to be carried out in your new house. If you take time off work while you move house, you will need to cover the lost income, as well. Planning ahead can save you money and hassle, and allow you to protect your credit rating.
With millions of people moving house every year, it is time to think your next decision through carefully. Learn from the mistakes others made, so you don’t suffer the same consequences. Plan long term, stay flexible, and consider all options. Avoid making harsh decisions, and ask for professional advice. Research the location you have chosen, and assess the cost of living. Calculate the cost of moving, renovation, and commuting. Protect your credit rating, your investment, and your family by choosing the right location. Look for alternative solutions if you struggle to find the right home first time, and wait for the perfect home to come along. Most finance deals are valid for a few months, so you don’t have to rush it.
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