Moving house can be really exciting, but it’s always stressful. In some cases you only have a day to essentially move your entire life from one place to another. It’s also a very expensive process, especially if this is your first property purchase.
By being prepared, you can mitigate some of this stress and, hopefully, be able to settle in sooner rather than later.
Getting a Mortgage
If you have a lot of cash on hand, you might be able to buy a property outright. However, the vast majority of people who are buying a property are either taking out a mortgage or buying using the proceeds of their old home, which may or may not have been bought with a mortgage.
In short, buying a property involves banks and, more often than not, mortgages. While a mortgage isn’t the same as your typical loan, it does have some of the same characteristics. Your home is collateral, which means that if you don’t pay your mortgage, you could lose it.
Like other loans, getting a mortgage also involves a credit check. If you have a bad credit score, it will be much more difficult to get a good mortgage. As well as being able to borrow less, a bad credit also means that you might be paying much more interest on your mortgage, so it costs more over time.
If you want to get a better mortgage, do what you can to boost your credit score. It’s also a good idea to save up for a deposit. Generally, you want to save at least 10% of the value of the home you’re hoping to buy for a deposit and other expenses.
Finding a New Home
As well as trying to get your finances in a good place to buy a new home, you should try to find a new property. A bank needs to know the value of the new property to give you a mortgage in the first place, but you can get an estimate before you find a house to buy. This gives you a good idea for a budget, so you don’t end up looking at houses that you can’t afford.
Focus on your budget, your preferred location, and any needs from the property. It’s a good idea to create a list of needs and wants, so you know what you’re looking for. An online estate agent can help you find relevant property listings, especially if you already have an idea of what kind of property you’re looking for.
Once you’ve found a potential property or a few, it’s a good idea to get a survey done of the property. This will cost some money, but it will be far cheaper than having to do a damp proofing course on your new house just after you’ve moved in. The sooner you discover these issues, the better.
Making the Move
So, you’ve found a home and managed to pay for it. What comes next?
Your solicitors will help you get all of the legal documents out of the way, which just leaves the moving day itself. You will generally agree on a moving day, which gives you time to get everything from one place to another and settle in as soon as possible.
If you can start packing in advance, you will give yourself a great headstart. Invest in moving boxes and packing materials to help you pack everything safely. Start with ornaments and other items you won’t need for the next couple of weeks or so. Make sure to use packing materials to make sure they’re safe and label your boxes with the room and the contents.
If your children are old enough, encourage them to start packing sooner as well. You might have to give them a hand, however, as even older children might not know where to start. Younger children might get confused during this time, but keep them involved so they have fun.
A moving company can help you to move everything safely, including large furniture and heavier items. Trying it yourself might be a shortcut to a bad back and a broken piece of furniture, so don’t be afraid to hire someone to provide a helping hand.
As for children and pets, consider finding a way to get them out of the way. This way, they won’t get stressed or hurt. This might be school, daycare, or a friend or relative who is willing to help.
