Moving home involves juggling a lot of different tasks and there’s often a risk that the sale could fall through. So, it’s unsurprising that many people find it a stressful experience.
According to a Mortgage Strategy report, almost two-thirds of people who apply for a mortgage said they found it stressful. The figure increased to 80% among first-time buyers.
It’s not just the mortgage you might be worried about either, from the results of a survey to the upheaval of your personal life, there are plenty of reasons why moving home can be anxiety-inducing. While some of the factors are outside of your control, there are steps you can take to make the move as smooth as possible.
Here are 10 tips that could make moving home less stressful.
1. Start decluttering early
You don’t need to pack right away and live out of boxes while you wait for the sale to go through. However, moving home is the perfect opportunity to declutter and get rid of unwanted items. Some people find that being proactive can ease stress and having less to pack when the moving date finally arrives will be a bonus.
2. Research your new location
It’s not just the tasks you need to complete that can be stressful, you might also be worried about moving your life to a new location.
If you can, spending some time getting to know your new home and the local area could be useful. For example, you might check how long the commute to work is, what the school run will entail, or where the nearest GP is. These simple steps could help you gain a better idea of the changes to your life.
3. Make a moving checklist
Moving home can feel overwhelming – there’s a lot to do after all.
Some people find that having a moving checklist not only helps them keep on top of everything but also reduces stress as you can see the progress you’re making and what’s left to do. A handy list written down or on your phone that you can add to as new tasks arise could reduce the chance of you missing something important too.
4. Book a removal company early
If you’ll be using the services of a moving company, book it as soon as you can. This gives you plenty of time to compare quotes and means you’re not scrabbling to book it last minute when you have other things to do.
Where possible, try avoiding the busiest periods, such as weekends and school holidays.
5. Pack an essentials box
The moving day can be exciting, but that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. So, packing a box that has your essential items in it and keeping this with you may be useful.
Think about the items you want on hand right away. If the first thing you want to do in your new home is have a cup of tea, you might include your kettle and a pack of biscuits. You might also include important paperwork, some cleaning items, and personal items like a toothbrush and change of clothes so you don’t need to unpack everything right away.
6. Take measurements of your new home
Once your offer has been accepted, you might want to ask the seller if you can revisit the property and take measurements. This could help you plan the layout of different rooms, so on moving day you already know where everything is going.
7. Hold off ordering items that aren’t essentials
While you’re thinking about how you’ll set up your new home, it can be easy to get excited and start ordering new furniture or home décor items to turn it into your dream home. However, managing packages and picking up parcels could add to the stress, so you might want to avoid ordering anything that isn’t essential.
Once you’re in your new home, you might find your interior design plans change too.
8. Arrange an overlap
If you can, arranging an overlap between when you need to move out of your current home and into your new one can be valuable. Even an extra few days could ease the stress of moving. It might mean you have time to thoroughly clean your new property before you start moving items in and provides a chance to make it feel like home.
9. Redirect your mail
Reduce worries about missing important mail or forgetting to update your address by setting up a redirect. Royal Mail’s redirection service comes at a cost, but it could be well worth it, and you can set it up for three, six, or 12 months. Not only does it mean you won’t miss important documents or appointment reminders, but it could reduce the risk of falling victim to ID fraud too.
10. Work with a mortgage broker
If you’ll be taking out a mortgage to buy your new property, the mortgage process can seem stressful. From finding the right deal for you to getting the necessary paperwork in order, you might worry about a delay or being rejected, which could lead to the sale falling through.
A mortgage broker could lend you support here. We’ll work with you to search for a mortgage deal that suits your needs and be on hand throughout the process to minimise delays. If you’d like to speak to one of our team, please get in touch.
Please note:
This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loans secured on it.