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How to Deal With Stress When Moving

July 3, 2019January 29, 2020 admin 1 Comment

Whatever the circumstances surrounding your upcoming move — good or bad, exciting or nerve-wracking — the process is going to be fast-paced, overwhelming, and potentially stressful. However, it doesn’t have to be this way! It is possible to go through with a house move and not turn your hair grey at the same time.

If this sounds appealing to you, here are our top five tips to deal with stress when moving.

1. Plan and then plan some more

We all procrastinate, especially when something as overwhelming as moving house is on the horizon. However, attempting to clear clutter, pack those boxes, organise your belongings, and vacate your old home all at the last minute is guaranteed to bring on unnecessary levels of stress. You need to start planning far earlier than you think!

However long you think it is going to take, double it. Seriously, things are going to crop up that you don’t expect and nothing will go entirely according to plan, so prepare yourself with a realistic timeline.

In order to remain calm, cool, and collected during this time, make a list of what needs to be done, and then break these tasks into weekly to-do’s. From this point, you can divide the weekly to-dos into more manageable daily tasks. This strategy is the best way to beat procrastination and help you feel as though you are in control of the situation. There is so much to remember that it helps to have a moving house checklist.

2. Schedule “me” time

Whether or not you want to be moving, there are still (probably) going to be feelings of grief about the upcoming transition. Don’t be afraid to experience these feelings – they are normal, and everyone has them!

That being said, it is essential to take care of your own well-being while you are dealing with this process. Ensure that you are regularly getting enough sleep and that you are eating a wholesome, balanced diet. Far too often, when you are busy, these things go out of the window. But being tired is only going to make the move feel a lot more overwhelming and stressful!

Additionally, schedule “me” time so that you don’t feel as though the move has taken over your entire life. Whether that means regular exercise (which you should be doing!), time to read, coffee with friends, or meeting up with your local knitting group, don’t forget about the things that make you happy.

3. Hire a professional removals company

There is a reason that people hire professional movers – they reduce so much of the stress! If your budget allows, hire a dependable removal company that can pack and move your furniture. On the day of the move, you will be thanking yourself for making this investment.

4. Reach out to your friends and family

In addition to hiring movers, you also should make use of your network. Friends and family will undoubtedly be willing to help you with anything you need before, during, and after the move. Relocating shouldn’t be a lonely process and having your loved ones by your side as much as possible can aid you in reducing the stress.

5. Shift your mindset

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, profoundly said “the only thing constant in life is change” and even all these centuries later, it remains true. Change is going to happen in your life, you can’t always resist it. However, change can be seen as exciting — a new adventure — you just have to shift your mindset.

When you find yourself getting sad, stressed, or nostalgic about what you are leaving behind, reflect on this quote and open yourself up to embracing what is to come.

There’s no question that moving is stressful, overwhelming, and often downright annoying. However, it has to happen. We all have to do it at certain points in our life. Don’t expect it to be a walk in the park.

When you feel stressed and crabby, sit with yourself and identify what exactly is making you feel this way. From this point, you can make a plan for dealing with it. By utilising these five tips, you can make the move a lot less stressful and maybe even bearable. Good luck with the move and remember, “home is where the heart is, even if you can’t remember which box you packed it in!”

AUTHOR BIO

John Pfeiffer has been the proud owner of Ashtons Removals for over 40 years. His attention to detail, a product of his accountancy background, and his emphasis on training and empowering his team members, has ensured the vast number of Gold Coast families who have been moved by Ashtons Removals, have had their furniture and effects moved undamaged and with minimum fuss.

Tips For Cheaply Moving Home As A Student

June 26, 2019July 1, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Students move home regularly, which is why it is important that every move is as cheap as possible. Here we have some great tips to help students move home cheaply and efficiently.

Moving home is expensive for everyone, especially for students. Students in London tend to move around a lot from home to halls, from halls to a shared house, then back home again. It’s a pretty changeable lifestyle when you’re a student which is why you have to become pretty great at moving your stuff or find someone else who can move or store stuff cheaply.

There are tons of ways you can save money when moving home as a student, here are just a few of them:

Mates Rates

Get everyone and anyone to help you. Don’t be afraid to trade cups of tea and favours for help moving, you need the help and this is when those closest to you should be available. Your family should be your first port of call as your parents probably have a bigger want and need to care for you than most of your mates, plus they like to help out however they can and may well be offended if you don’t ask them first. Then it’s time to call in the heavies – your mates. Plenty of them will be moving as well so simply call it ‘helping each other out’. You carry my box I’ll carry yours sort of thing! Everyone is in the same boat so hitch lifts and lifting help wherever you can, just don’t forget to say thank you and offer your services back, otherwise you won’t be getting much help next time!

Use What You Already Have

Where possible, try to avoid buying packing materials and use what you already have. Wrap clean kitchenware in scarves and clothes and ask friends to save up newspapers for you to wrap things in. Don’t bother buying packing boxes either, get down the local supermarket and ask them for spare boxes. Many shops have to pay to get their cardboard removed so will be more than happy to give you their spares. Top Tip – banana boxes are particularly strong and often come with lids so ask for those as a priority!

Have A Sale

Use moving as a chance to sell some of your unwanted items for extra money. Not only could this save you money on your move (saving fuel costs for car trips etc) it could make you money! Car boots are always an easy way to make a bit of spare cash on a Sunday morning (in some places pitches are just £5.00 for the whole morning!) or there are auction sites available to, not to mention recycling shops where you can weigh in old clothes.

Don’t Buy New

If you’re moving out for the first time, this is not the time for you to be buying loads of new and fancy items for your new home. You want clean and comfortable, not designer, so go mad on shabby chic! The best way to do this is by frequenting the car boots every Sunday in the lead up to your move. You can get plates for 20p, cool ornaments for £1.00, board games, clothes – anything you can think of! When you’re a student you can get away with being as wild and as out there as you want – so do it and grab yourself some second hand bargains!

Self-Storage

If you’re moving somewhere for a short time, try one of the many cheap self-storage units available to save money. The rates charged are very variable so compare prices of different self storage providers – but this is a great way to find secure space for your stuff if you need to stay in a friend’s room for a bit or at home for a bit while you save or look to find better digs.

Leave Time

Leave plenty of time to get yourself organised. Pack up your stuff for storing well in advance and try to label it so you know what is in every box. If you’re putting items in self-storage in Cambridge, Oxford, London (or wherever you are based at university) you need to make sure you lay out your self-storage unit well so nothing gets broken or damaged through collapsing stacks or dust infiltration. If you’re already studying then time management should be second nature to you, so there’s no excuse for being unorganised!

Apps You Need to Help With Your House Move

March 21, 2019September 1, 2020 admin Leave a comment

With the ability of mobile apps to streamline nearly every aspect of locating a new place, the process of moving has become significantly easier. Without taking advantage of these tools, you may find yourself overwhelmed with moving tasks and unable to finish everything in time for move-in day.

For example, it’s a good idea to research cheap renters insurance before you move so you can be sure your valuables will be protected in your new place. The same goes with searching for moving services and supplies – you don’t want to put these basic tasks off until the last minute. You can also check out the salary you’ll need to buy a home in the major towns and cities across the UK. Explore the data, compare cities and follow house price trends here.

You may be familiar with the vast array of real estate websites available to help facilitate the process of buying, selling, and renting properties, but there are also many lesser known programs for other tasks that come up while moving. These tools are must-haves for anyone planning an upcoming move, and having them downloaded may be just what you need to get your moving jobs done on schedule.

Zillow

Zillow may be the biggest name in the world of real estate websites and applications, and it’s easy to see why. The platform receives roughly 36 million unique visits every month from users around the world, and it’s a great starting point if you’re still looking for that perfect place.

If you’re interested in a more interactive experience, Zillow’s mobile app also contains a feature which allows you to look at local listings in real-time as you walk through target neighborhoods. This makes it easy to visualize your life in a new place and get a feel for each area you’re considering.

Wunderlist

Wunderlist isn’t actually a house move app, but its general suite of productivity tools make it a great way to stay on top of your progress and make sure you don’t push things off to the last minute. With Wunderlist, you’ll be able to put to-do lists together and set reminders for tasks that you want to finish at certain times.

One interesting feature of Wunderlist is the ability to share these lists and reminders, allowing you to delegate tasks to any roommates or friends that are helping you pack up your place. Syncing this information to the cloud turns Wunderlist into a centralized platform, making it that much easier to prepare for your move.

Facebook Marketplace

There’s a good chance that you’re among the 2 billion-plus people that use Facebook each month, but even regular Facebook users often aren’t aware of the platform’s robust marketplace features that facilitate the buying and selling of a variety of items. This is the perfect place to find people in your area and arrange a purchase.

Selling and giving away old items is one of the most commonly overlooked tasks involved in moving out, and these pieces can be tough to get rid of as your move-in date approaches. Put a few things on Facebook Marketplace well before you’re planning to move in order to give yourself time to field offers and find a convenient time and place to meet buyers.

TaskRabbit

Fixing up your current place is a great way to increase the sale value of a home or guarantee an apartment’s security deposit. Repairing any damage and performing routine maintenance may involve more tools and specialized skills than you’re comfortable taking care of yourself.

Fortunately, TaskRabbit makes it easy to find professional freelancers and contractors in your local area. It’s an especially useful tool if your moving date is rapidly approaching and you don’t have time to complete everything you need to before leaving. Anything from cleaning and painting to more in-depth projects can be found on TaskRabbit.

Moving out is an often overwhelming endeavor that requires careful preparation and planning well in advance. If you’re looking for ways to streamline the moving process, these house move apps will help you make a number of moving tasks easier, including everything from searching for a place to finding buyers for items you no longer need.

Top 5 Tips for Packing Your Most Valuable Possessions When Moving House

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 admin Leave a comment

The prospect of finally moving to your dream home is an exciting one.

After all, you’ve worked hard through the years, planned, and saved up. Now, finally, your very own place is right there, waiting for you.

Moving is more than just about finding a new space or a new neighbourhood; it’s also about new beginnings – and new beginnings are always good. Well, that is, except for one or two things: packing and moving.

Sorting through your possessions accumulated through the years is stressful enough; even more so when you have to go through and pack your most valuable possessions.

Seasoned home removals experts in Sydney share their top five tips below so you can efficiently pack and move your precious art, jewelry, china, family heirlooms and other must-take knick-knacks with you.

1. Make a list and take pictures

Let’s say you’re done identifying your most important possessions – items you can’t simply let go of and which you consider as priceless. Then the next step would be to make an inventory list. Your most important items may belong to the following categories:

Jewelry
Art collection (paintings, sculpture, etc.) and other special collections
Silverware and china
Family heirlooms and antiques
Important documents (title deeds, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, passports, etc.)
Personal electronic devices
Prescription medications

Keep your list detailed, and ensure the photos you take are clear. And granted it’s not the most exciting task to do, but this is an added precaution you need to take just in case something goes awry during your move.

Also, be sure to have the necessary packing supplies ready:

Cartons/boxes
Tape – packing and painter’s
Blank packing paper
Tissue paper
Bubble wrap
Silver cloth or other soft fabric
Moving blankets
Stretch wrap

It’s usually better to get these packing materials from a professional removal company as they will have specialized packing supplies ideal for securing valuable items.

2. Label each box for you

People are usually advised to label each box or piece of packaging clearly and conspicuously so the removalists know which item goes where. It also helps the owner identify which box to rummage through in case an item is needed urgently.

However, when it comes to smaller valuable items, it’s better to label the carton or packaging that, for example, your special gold ring collection comes in, “for your eyes only.” This means you should label these boxes in a code only you will understand.

For electronic items like your DSLR camera, it’s always better to keep them in their original packaging if you still have them stored somewhere.

3. Keep small but important items with you

After taking the above precautions, experts say that when it comes to relatively small but important possessions, the best thing to do is to keep them close at all times on moving day. These include items such as jewelry, electronic gadgets, important documents, and doctor’s prescriptions and medicine.

If you have a backpack, secure your most important belongings in it since you can carry it around even if you have to make brief stops along the way.

4. Let the pros handle large or extra special items for you

While you can probably take care of properly packing your precious china and silverware, large or specialist items like family heirloom furniture, a grand piano, crystal chandeliers and valuable pieces of art are usually best handled by professionals.

If your chosen removalist does not offer services specially intended for such items, you may need to partner with a professional packing and crating company as well. On top of this, you should also look into securing moving insurance or getting additional insurance for your most precious possessions – just in case.

5. Conduct a visual inspection before letting the removalists go

On moving day itself, once all of your worldly possessions have been safely unloaded in your new place, do a final walkthrough. Check the condition of the packed items, paying special attention to your precious possessions inventory list. This is where efficient labeling comes in handy.

At this stage, you will be able to see if any of your boxes (especially the ones containing your valuables) got damaged or torn in some places during the move. Again, take pictures and bring them to the attention of your removalist. Of course, it’s always a great thing to know that however mangled a carton may seem on the outside, that your items inside are still intact.

This is the time when you’ll be grateful that you took the time to purchase the necessary supplies, and packed and prepared well for everything.

Plan ahead and stress less

Moving to the house of your dreams is a wonderful thing, and something to really look forward to.

But weeks before your planned move, you need to take care of getting the right supplies, packing your things, ensuring you have a detailed moving inventory list, and getting your new home cleaned and ready.

Also, be sure to keep your most prized possessions safe and secure by preparing and planning for everything, and getting expert help in packing them if need be.

This way, you can be sure you’ll be off to a great start in your new home.

AUTHOR BIO

Robert Wise, Sales Administration Manager at Nuss Removals, has been a respected figure in the removals industry for over 20 years. His attention to detail and the ability to truly understand the needs of the customer have ensured the successful relocation of thousands of satisfied individuals and families. For moving and storage across Australia and around the world, Robert’s wealth of experience ensures his customers are in safe hands.

Think you’re ready to buy a house? Here’s 4 signs

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018 admin Leave a comment

“Am I ready to buy a house, or should I just keep renting?”

It’s one of the questions that we hear most often and something to which first-time homebuyers often spend months, if not years, trying to figure out the answer.

Below are a list of four tell-tale signs that you’re ready to bite the bullet and take the leap into home ownership:

Sign #1: You’re ready to settle down

The first sign that you’re in the right mindset to become a homeowner is that you’re ready to stay put — at least for a little while.

Conventional wisdom states that in order for your purchase to make financial sense, you’ll want to plan on staying put for at least the next five years. When you sit down to think about house hunting, you’ll want to use that timeframe as your reference point.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Can you see yourself staying at your job for that long, or will you be looking for new opportunities?
If the right position came along, would you be willing to move for it?
Do you like the area you’re living in, or would you like to explore other options?
Do you see your living situation changing soon?
Are you planning on moving in with a significant other or expanding your family?

If these questions make you squirmy, the idea of looking five years into the future still feels a little too far ahead for you to grasp, or you still want to see where life life takes you, you may want to consider renting for a bit longer or thinking about a for-a-few-years home vs. a forever home.

2. You’re done living paycheck-to-paycheck

Let’s face it, becoming a homeowner is expensive.

Not only is there a monthly mortgage mortgage payment to consider, which will likely be more than your current rent check, but prospective homebuyers need to be prepared to come up with a sizable down payment, shoulder a portion of the closing costs, and have the dough to take care of any necessary repairs.

Luckily, there is a way that you can prepare for the added financial pressure before the big day comes and understand how much house you can afford. Use a mortgage calculator to estimate what a monthly payment could based on the type of home you’re looking to buy. Then, subtract the amount you pay in rent each month, and aim to put the the remainder into savings.

Start by working towards a down payment that could be worth 3%-10% of a home’s sale price, and then move onto a seperate emergency fund.

3. You’re ready for more responsibility

Once you find a home and actually buy it, that’s really where all the fun begins.

Yes, owning a home means that you have a lot more freedom to improve the property as you see fit — whether that means putting in an entirely new kitchen or redoing the hardwood floors.

However, in addition to that creative freedom comes an added layer of responsibility. As the homeowner, you’re the one who is responsible for any necessary maintenance and upkeep on the property.

Think about what you’re like as a tenant now.

Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and help with small tasks or are you relieved to know that you have someone to call? If you’re less handy, you may want to take some time to familiarize yourself with common home maintenance tasks before committing to buying anything. It always helps to have a fair idea of what you’re getting into.

4. You know what you’re looking for

Last but not least, though it may sound self-explanatory, when you’re trying to determine whether or not you’re ready to buy a home, it’s useful to have an idea of what you’re looking for.

You don’t have to have every single detail set in stone. (In fact, it’s preferable if you leave some room to flexibility in your home search.) That said, though, having a basic set of parameters in mind will make the homebuying process go much easier.

Here, you’ll want to think about the most important factors that you absolutely must have in a home. These will be the things that you would not feel comfortable buying a home without. This may include details like your preferred location, an ideal number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a target sale price, or any specific must-have features like that perfect picture window view.

If you have a strong idea of your must-haves and can’t see that changing in the near future, and the above signs sound like you, you may just be ready to take the plunge into home ownership. If not, there’s no shame in the game waiting.

This article originally appeared on OpenListings.

8 Tips For Moving House In London

September 17, 2018April 24, 2020 admin 1 Comment

There is always an element of stress when moving house. But even more so if you are moving in London! The enormous population and broad cityscape make it one of the most interesting cities in the world – but also a logistical nightmare!

We’ve been helping Londoners move house for over thirty years now and it has been fascinating to see how the city has evolved over this period. The problems people face when moving house in London, however, have remained largely unchanged.

Our clients and friends often ask us advice on moving in the big smoke, so we thought it was about time we put our tips into writing.

Of course, no advice can guarantee a smooth move, but your odds will increase if you pay attention to the following.

1. Timing is everything

Move at the wrong time and you will spend hours in traffic. This is a common stress point. We tend to start the move from 8.00am to avoid the traffic everyday including weekends. Make sure to check big events happening locally that will bring in more traffic to a standstill– football games, concerts, conferences etc.

2. Consider parking

Parking in London is notoriously difficult and expensive. You wouldn’t believe the amount of times clients have called us having arrived at their new home in their removals van, only to find they can’t park it anywhere! If you have your own off-street parking, then great! If not, then you need to consider applying for a parking suspension from the local council. The best way to do this is to visit the website of your local council. If you are using a professional removals company they should be familiar with this process, so you can likely leave it to them.

3. Make us of local short term storage

Sometimes it’s impossible or impractical to move everything at once. This is a classic point of anxiety, especially if you have to move out before you’re allowed to move to the new home. These facilities offer vital flexibility at affordable rates.

4. Consider the Congestion Zone

If you are moving into, or out of, the centre of London, then see if you will be passing through the Congestion Zone. This is fairly expensive if you’re using multiple vehicles (£11.50 for each one, per day) and is also very busy. Avoid driving between 7am and 6pm if you want to get around the charge. If you decide to take the hit, make sure you pay online with 14 days to avoid a fine.

5.Ask your neighbours for help unloading

The stereotype of unfriendly Londoners is largely a myth in our experience. A well-timed knock-and-introduction can often lead to an offer to help with unloading the van. We’ve witnessed occasions where virtually the whole street has got involved! It’s also a great opportunity to get to know your new neighbours.

6. Plan out your route carefully

Some areas of traffic are notorious for heavy traffic. If you’re local knowledge isn’t great, try using the app Waze – we’ve found this to be the best at finding routes around traffic. But be careful to avoid narrow roads if you are driving a big van. We’ve had calls from clients who are quite literally stuck on a backroad.

7. Bring in professional help

Perhaps the easiest way to ensure a smooth move is to hire a local removals company and perhaps also a cheap self-storage unit, as they will probably have a well-oiled process that is tried and tested. Be sure to look at online reviews though, as a bad removals company may end up actually adding stress to the process.

8. Accept that it will be hectic!

The final top tip is pretty simple, but the hardest for many to actually do. Accept that you’re moving in the busiest city in the country and that things will never be simple. So embrace it and expect difficulties. After all, the traffic and the mayhem are all a part of the wonderful joy of living in London!

Author Bio:
Max Oldfield founded Ants Removals in 1985. Originally the company specialised in residential furniture deliveries and small removals. Under his guidance the company has gone from strength-to-strength, operating throughout the UK.

Removal Company - ask questions when moving house

Moving? Tips for a Cheaper and More Efficient Move

September 17, 2018April 24, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Your first move from London to a huge and expensive city in the U.S. like Chicago, Illinois might have been exciting because you were finally getting out of your parents’ house and into your own apartment.

You’re starting a new life in a new city!

Subsequent moves, however, turned out to be costly and taxing, so you’re now looking for ways to move cheaply and efficiently. We’ve got some great tips for you:

Get Rid of Stuff

Stuff. We all have a lot of it, and some of us never stop accumulating it. That very used but serviceable garden wheelbarrow you saw in someone’s trash on the side of the road now has a home in your cramped garage, because you just might need it someday.

Those 13 VGA cables that you have gathered after every monitor change fill an entire drawer in your dresser. That kiddie pool with a slight crack still holds enough water for a couple hours just in case your brother’s children come over, and that broken solid state guitar amp that you mistakenly think might someday become a valued antique claims a prominent place in your bedroom. All of this stuff has one thing in common—if you’re moving soon, that junk needs to belong to someone else. Or at the very least be stored away in a cheap self-storage.

Ways to Do It

Of course, the dumpster is a decent option, but that doesn’t bring in any money, nor does it help the planet. One way to try to turn that trash into cash is to have a garage or moving sale. There’s a Wall Street saying that the stock market operates on the “bigger fool” theory: there is always a bigger fool than you that will buy the stock you want to sell.

Same goes for your stuff and we’re not going to repeat that “one man’s treasure” cliché–although you get the point. Advertise on Craigslist and/or put signs up in your neighborhood, get up early and nicely arrange the things you to get rid of, price them reasonably, and see what sells. If that fails you can take a trip to Goodwill or the dumpster. And maybe Goodwill has a dumpster you can use so you can accomplish everything at once.

Be Organized

After you have downsized by getting rid of unneeded junk, you can start to pack. Think about this before you start, however, as Helter Skelter may have been your dad’s favorite Beatle song, but it’s no way to begin a move. Start with one room at a time—preferably the room you use least—and methodically pack your things.

Of course, you’ll find a lot of stuff you really don’t need, and then you may need to do another sale! When one room is completed, start the next. Mark all containers carefully, and neatly stack them in the now finished room. This way, you’ll see real progress being made. By packing yourself, you’ll know where everything is, and you’ll save the cost of a packing service.

Spend It Now

We know you’re looking to save money (perhaps to buy a home in the future), but we’re interested in saving your life, so be sure to consider professional movers for the big stuff.

Walking up the basement stairs attached to a heavy, bulky and hard-to-handle freezer can be the proverbial recipe for disaster. Pro movers usually have seen it all, have the proper equipment, and know how not to get hurt while moving big and heavy objects.

Get rid of extra stuff by selling it, disposing of it, or giving it away; organize your move, and get pro help when you need it. If you follow those suggestions, your move will be cheaper and accomplished more efficiently.

Moving House Indicates Buy New Home And Box

Things You Must Consider While Moving

March 9, 2018April 24, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Moving is never an easy process, and in order not to regret your decision to do so, make sure that you put the following into consideration:

Your finances

Your finances will play a major role in determining whether you move. You need to ensure that you are financially able to afford a move, and you also need to consider whether you will be able actually to survive in your new place. Most times, this factor is downplayed, especially if the move is due to a work order (in which case, the company will most probably still pay you and ensure that your move is as comfortable as possible). However, if you’ll be moving and the move is your personal choice, you need to ensure that you are financially stable enough to move without being affected (or at the very least, affected to a considerable degree)

A moving company

It very difficult to move by yourself. Regardless of whether you’ll be moving to a house on the next block or you’ll be moving to a new country entirely, a moving company will be required to help you transport your things and make the moving process much more comfortable for you.

Since there are so many moving companies out there, it is essential that you pick the one that is ideal for you. To help with this ensure that you ask some hard questions before choosing a moving company. You can select various companies and sift between them, and you can also ask for references.

All in all, ensure that your moving company is right for you, that they provide boxes for moving house , storage if you need it and that you are satisfied with their services and rates.

Moving insurance

You will also need to get moving insurance. Although it might be a precautionary procedure, it is also essential because there is always a possibility that your items get lost or damaged in the process of a move. To avoid having to start buying all your items again, your moving insurance will cover your losses and ensure that you get compensated.

Your tools

While you move, there are specific tools that you will definitely require. Things like tape, markers, moving boxes for your house, etc. must be top in your priority list, and you will definitely be in need of them if you are looking to have a seamless transit experience.

Also, you need to ensure that you get these tools at good prices to save as much cash as you can. Look for where to get things like cheap moving boxes, and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll be able to save.

Do you have everything?

Simply put, you don’t want to forget anything while you move. It’ll most probably be as good as gone, so ensure that you check and double check before you leave your old home.

Transitioning to your new home

The process of transitioning to your new home has to be in place. This means you need to inform people like the mailing company, your place of work, your bankers, etc. and notify them of the fact that you’ve moved, and to also provide them with a means of reaching you.

Getting Ready To Move House – Should I Be Decluttering?

November 1, 2017September 24, 2022 admin Leave a comment

After weeks (or is it months?) of limbo when nothing seemed to happen in the long chain I’m involved in with my house move suddenly it’s all systems go and panic has set in as everyone wants to exchange and move before the start of summer. At the beginning of the year we all knew when summer was but it seems to have been the effect of the Easter school break recently that has given everyone renewed impetus. I have spent all morning on the phone chivvying estate agents, mortgage providers, solicitors etc. and just generally keeping the lines of communication open. This is the 4^th house we have tried to buy in nearly 18 months (yes, 4^th, really) and after our “3^rd time lucky” house failed to be lucky I have given up keeping my fingers crossed – now I just want it to happen.

Moving After Many Years

I have lived in my current house for over 20 years and when we first decided to move it was with a mixture of excitement and sadness. We reminisced about the parties we’d had, the fun, the long hot summers in the garden (well maybe that’s an exaggeration) and the fact that our children have never known any other home. But as time has dragged on the sadness has waned and we are all just eager to get on with our new lives in our new home now.

I have started a bit of decluttering, bought packing boxes, had estimates for the removals people and even rented a cheap self-storage unit (btw I used this useful price comparison chart to decide which deal was best). I’ve even spoken to some builders about the work I want to do in the new house but I can’t make any commitments yet – I can’t even make a proper start with packing up my belongings as I haven’t yet signed the contracts.

The Uncertainty of Buying a House in England

For any of you living outside England you might be unfamiliar with the system where you can agree to sell your existing house and agree to buy a new house but it can be months before this agreement becomes legally binding for both you and all the other people involved in the chain of house sales and purchases.

This system has been the source of many a failed house move but I am consoling myself with the fact that during the time we have been waiting for all the legalities to be completed the mortgage interest rate with our chosen provider has fallen by 0.5%. Great news! But as my husband sagely pointed out we won’t be saving ourselves 0.5% worth of interest payments if the purchase falls through as we won’t be paying for that particular mortgage at all.

Realistically, I no longer have any hope of moving in before the warm weather arrives given that it is only a few weeks away and we haven’t yet exchanged contracts but after all the waiting I’m sure I can wait a little longer and it might just give me the chance to do some more decluttering so there is less to pack and less to unpack in the new house. If I can get into the decluttering habit now there’s a chance that we might all be able to live an organised, clutter-free life in our new abode (well, I can dream).

And Finally…

I’ve been reading some tips on clearing clutter and it seems the most important thing is to remember that a lot of the material possessions we own don’t have any sentimental value and no longer have any practical or decorative use – most possessions are just stuff filling up our homes. The decluttering tips also suggest that tackling the clutter gradually is more effective if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and give up before you make any progress. So I am determined to sort as much of my junk as possible in the coming weeks.

Can a Home Move Be Stress Free?

November 1, 2017April 24, 2020 admin Leave a comment

In the high-end property market in London many of the specialist mortgage broking firms are booming as a result of wealthy overseas buyers investing in the better London boroughs. So the multi-million pound property market might be recovering (in fact, it never suffered the same level of stagnation as the mainstream market after the credit crunch) but what about the rest of us?

How easily you can sell a home is dependent on so many factors such as area, location within that area, type of property, property condition, local demand etc. Some of these factors are outside your control but others are not so you can minimise the stress of a home move by doing something about the parts you can control; for instance make sure the inside and outside of your home are clean, tidy and clutter-free. Do all those niggling little repairs and if anything major needs repairing get it done before opening your home to viewings. If necessary, invest in some new accessories to dress your home: lamps, new bedding and towels will make a big improvement for minimal cost and you can take them with you to your new home.

Stress-Free Move Anyone?

Of course, you cannot remove stress entirely from a house move because, fundamentally, it is a stressful business because it affects both our finances and our emotions. You are leaving behind an old home but there may be an emotional wrench, depending on your personal circumstances, if you don’t want to leave. Then you have to find a new home and we all have our own image of the perfect home but often we cannot afford it, or even find it. When some people find a home that ticks all their personal boxes they do not actually want it because there is no emotional draw to the home. Conversely some people fall in love with a home that ticks none, or only a few, boxes. And once you make an emotional attachment to a home by embarking on the buying process those emotions can just make the stress build up.

If you are buying a new home, whether it is your first or one in a long string of many, it is a complicated process. We often don’t understand all the financial and legal jargon involved and have to rely on others to deal with the process but if you don’t understand something then just ask for a simple explanation. Questions you have that remain unanswered will just fuel an already stressful situation.

Making an Offer on a Property

Once you are ready to make an offer you need to be prepared for various outcomes if you are to avoid an emotional rollercoaster. House sales and purchases can be unpredictable: your buyer may pull out, your best offer may be turned down, you could be dragged into a bidding war, you could be gazumped (yes it still happens), the seller could pull out of the deal after accepting your offer, serious defects may be revealed by the survey, you lose your job and can no longer afford to move. The list really is endless…

But providing you are aware of such possibilities then you should be able to handle them calmly if they do happen. Have a contingency plan – for instance, if the seller pulls out but you have a good buyer then consider putting your belongings in self-storage (it’s relatively easy to find cheap self storage units outside of the major cities) and moving into rented accommodation rather than lose the house sale in a tough market. This could put you in a better position as a chain-free buyer; just remember that others might be doing the same.