How To Take The Hard Work Out Of Moving Home*

*This is a collaborative post*

'Fail To Prepare, Prepare To Fail'

If you would like to make the most out of your relocation, planning and knowing your new location, facilities, and the processes is crucial. If you just sit back and hope for the best, chances are that you are going to regret not paying attention to the small print and not checking your contracts before you would sign the dotted line. No matter if you are just moving across town, or to a new city, maybe state or country, you will need to be prepared for every eventuality and take precautions. Find out more below.

Plan Every Stage

It is important that - no matter if you have moved house before - you know the regulations and the legal side of buying and selling a property. You will need to get advice on every process, and ask the right people the right questions. There is no point choosing a new location or home until you know whether or not you would be able to afford the insurance, the mortgage, or if your credit score allows you to take on the extra finance you need. Of course, you should also sit down with your loved ones to get them on board before you start planning.

Choose Your Location Carefully

It is crucial that you choose the location and visit it at different times. In case you are planning on retiring or entering the life of semi-retired people, you will need to ensure that the home you chose is suitable all year round, and you will get the facilities that will make your life easier. In case you are ambitious enough to build your own home, you will have to compare deals on land for sale as well as the building costs, legal fees, and relocation expenses.

Choose Your Agent Carefully

No matter if you are buying a flat or a farm, you will want to work with an agent who is a specialist in the region and the market and can give you insider information you might not come across otherwise. You need to know as much as possible about the neighborhood, the road networks, the cost of living, and the different services available. If you have been dreaming of a country life, you will need to know where the closest farm shop and supermarket is, and ensure you can devote some time to your old hobbies without having to travel for hours.

Set Your Budget Limit

You might have seen TV programs that feature people looking for their dream location and end up spending over their budget. It is important that you set an ideal and a maximum budget for your house move, including relocation and removal, refurbishment, and legal costs. It is easy to say yes to a price that is within your budget, but what if you have to spend a couple of thousand on relocating your family, not to mention taking time off work and not getting paid for a while.

Create a Visual Board

To make the most out of your house move, it is important that you visualize your future life, and create a list of things you would like to achieve. There is  no point going through the process, unless it will improve your overall health, lifestyle, and well-being. You will need to be precise and specific about what you would like to achieve in your life short term or long term. It might be that you want to be closer to your kids or your elderly parents, or have a good walk every night without having to drive out of the city. No matter what your goal is, it has to be specific, so you can choose your location and your future home accordingly.

Set a Timeline

If you want to avoid panicking when moving home, you will need to create a timeline on your physical or online diary. You might not know this, but moving home can be stressful and have a negative impact on your mental health. It is always better to know how much free time you have for packing, viewing homes, sitting down with your financial advisor, and unpacking. There is no point trying to carry on work and skip sleeping; you will be exhausted for weeks and more likely to make mistakes or miss things that matter. You will, however, also need to be flexible when it comes to your moving date, as - in some cases - you will have little or no control over the process.

Be Prepared for Things Going Wrong

No matter how well you plan your move, there will be things that will not go according to plan. Deals might fall through last minute, you can be asked to pay extra fees, and you might find out something about the location that makes you change your mind. After all, you will need to know that there are plenty of professionals, agencies, and parties involved, and all of them have a huge impact on the timeline. What would you do if your mortgage company offered you a rate that is above what you expected? Would you start the application process, delay your move, or find another company?

Sort Out Your Finances

It is crucial that you start the process of moving home with a clear picture about your finances. It is recommended that you consolidate your debt, credit card, car, and personal loans before you make any larger application such as one for a new mortgage. You should check your credit score regularly, and keep an eye on your accounts, so late payments will not affect your creditworthiness. If you have a financial advisor, you might want to ask them to create an overview and help you combine your deals so your accounts look better by the time you are making an application for a home loan.

Make Wise Decisions

There are steps you can take when moving home that will make things safer and more convenient. One example is to have new locks fitted as soon as you move in. This will mean that any previous tenants who may still have spare sets to your property won't be able to access your property. You can use a professional locksmith to do this.

There are certain things that can go wrong when you move home. You can prevent loads of problems if you use due diligence and make sure that you ask for professional advice.



*Contributed by Sam Jones.
*Header image via Flickr. Content image via Flickr.

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