With just over 10 weeks to go until Christmas, it might look as though the end of the year is fast approaching and you will never be able to get all your ducks in a row in time to move. But we say that you can achieve your goal – you just need to be organised!
In the two months between the end of September and the end of November estate agents are kept busy with a high volume of new instructions. This provides you with a window of opportunity – one in which you can sell your house and find a new one to move into, too.
Let me provide you with an example: 2 weeks ago, our buying agent from our Oxfordshire & Cotswolds office was instructed by a new client to find them a property. They have since looked at 8 houses in that time, and they then made an offer on one within 10 days. Completion date is set for 30th November with the result that we have one happy client, so smiles all round!
So what do you need to do to move by Christmas?
You need to have funding in place before you sell your house
Ideally, you don’t want to be in a chain, or subject to the sale of another property
Instruct good solicitors/conveyancers
In short, you need to be a serious buyer and willing to be flexible.
If you want to ensure that you’re putting out mince pies for Father Christmas next to your new fireplace, then follow these helpful tips:
Prepare your house for sale
It’s an obvious one, but declutter and smarten up your home, making each room look as though it’s fit for the purpose it was designed. So if you’ve got an upstairs junk room, turn it back into a bedroom. See previous blog post for more advice on selling your home.
Prepare for making a purchase
Work out your maximum budget: this includes the cost of a property you want to buy, conveyancing and moving fees, stamp duty and a contingency for refurbishing your new property if necessary. Then write down your desired location, what you do and don’t like and your price limit and give this to reputable agents in the area. If you are too busy, though, then this is where a property finder can really help you out!
Choose a good conveyancer
An efficient conveyancer will handle contracts, provide you with legal advice, carry out local council searches, deal with the Land Registry and transfer the funds to pay for your property. It’s an important role, so it’s worth choosing wisely. Which? recommends hiring a conveyancer on a fixed-price ‘no sale, no fee’, which means that the more efficient they are, the more likely they are to make a profit.
Get your financing in place
It’s advisable to consult an independent mortgage broker to see how much you can borrow and discuss whether a fixed or variable rate is best. I’m sure you will have had these discussions long before you plan a move, but you may find that timescales just run away from you and it’ll be Christmas by the time you’ve blinked. Some lenders can experience severe backlogs in processing mortgage applications so get this sorted before you start property searching.
Book a removal service
You can save yourselves a lot of time and money by shopping around for a good deal on your furniture removal. Do bear in mind, though, that the closer to Christmas you get, the more likely it is that the good removal firms will be booked up and prices will be higher.
By following these tips, you can make moving house before Christmas not only achievable but as stress-free as possible.
If you would like any help and guidance with your next house move, for support with moving to Oxfordshire or The Cotswolds contact us or call 0330 223 6339.
