Property

Key considerations to make before moving house

By WS Residential:    28 March 2023

There are a whole host of considerations to take to ensure that you’re choosing a new home that’s best for your family. By doing so, you can ensure the process is an enjoyable one which runs as smoothly as it can.

If you’re looking to move, take these keys factors below into consideration to find your family’s happy place.

Getting your timings right

A key consideration when it comes to moving house is doing it at the right time. You may want to be in your new home for a specific time of year – think Christmas, your children’s exam period or the start of the summer – so timing is key to when you put that offer in

The sale process can take anywhere between 3-9 months, depending on how many property sales are in the chain. Be aware that a hold up further down the chain will impact everyone, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time if there is a specific time or date you have in mind for moving.

New or old

Are you looking for a house that’s ready-made for moving in, or something you’ll need to roll your sleeves up on and do a little bit of work on? This is definitely something to consider when moving house, as the outcome will impact what type of house you opt for.

If you’re looking for a longer-term project that requires refurbishment, it may be worth getting advice to ensure that any work undertaken will add value to property and increase the saleability.

Unforeseen costs can prove unwelcomed when you’re moving house, especially if you’ve spent your allocated budget. Mitigate these risks by having a homebuyer’s survey done once you’ve submitted an offer to find out any potential problems early.

Speak with local agents

When you’re looking to move to a house in a new area, it’s key to get an understanding of what it would be like to live there.

This is where local estate agents come in. If they’re listing a property in a specific location, they’ll have ‘boots on the ground’ knowledge of what’s going on it that area to give you support, guidance and advice you need to make an informed decision.

Whether it’s around how up and coming an area is, any local improvements planned to benefit the area in the future or how long it takes houses to sell there, your local agents are best placed to give you all the information you may need.

Plan for the future

If you see a property on the market which you think would be perfect for extending either upwards or outwards, always be sure to check you’d be able to before committing to a purchase.

A good place to start is checking the local planning portal and see if any homes in close proximity have been granted planning permission recently, as well as what sort of work has been undertaken. This will give you an idea of what size or shape of extension you might be able have.

If you’re still unsure, always speak to the local planning department to get clarity on what potential work could be done on the property.

Obviously, any extension work would come at a cost to you, so make sure you check the ceiling prices for the area. This will allow you to see whether any potential work would be worthwhile from a sell-on perspective.

Research local schools

Researching schools is another crucial consideration to make when moving house. If you’re moving areas, finding the right new school for your children is imperative so you need to do your research.

It’s important to look at catchment areas to determine if your child can attend a school based on where your potential new home will be. Visit the government website to search for the best local primary and secondary schools within an area, which includes exam results, Ofsted reports and financial information.

At WS Residential, our team is on hand to help you find your family’s happy place. To find out more about our homes for sale, visit our Property For Sale page.


Back To News
The Property Ombudsman logo Trading Standards logo Arla logo NAEA logo RICS logo