Do you need to move home, but have no time to think about it?

We know how busy life can be.

Weekends spent cleaning, washing, shopping, taxi service for the kids…it’s never ending! Where do you start when adding one of the most stressful things you will ever do into the mix?! Well, we are here to help and we want to make the process as stress free as possible for you.

We’ve prepared a bit of check list to help you along the way. Sometimes the obvious things can be the hardest to think of.

• Before doing any viewings, it is important to make a list of things that are essential for your new house. We believe no 1 on that list is the location. The style and layout of a property can often be changed, but the location and direction of the garden cannot. Have a look at school catchment areas and a list of nearby nurseries. Is there a bus/cycle route to the school if or when the children are older? Is it easy to get to and from your place of work in an emergency?
• Use the internet in your search – it gives you great insight, and saves loads of time. Not only can you see the photographs and floorplan of the house online, but you can use google maps to see an aerial and street view. This will show you exactly which house it is! You can also check out the nearest shops and amenities without even having to go out in the car!
• We regularly receive feedback that a house is too small, which is often exasperating for a seller as it is something they cannot change. Pay special attention to the sizes of the bedrooms before you visit, is the third bedroom a box room, do you need it to be a double for a teenager? Although it sounds basic, the best way if you are not sure is to dig out a tape measure and measure the rooms in your own home so that you have something to compare against. This may help both you and a seller in the long run, as it will save you both time, and often a vendor from tidying up! We appreciate sometimes it is hard to know until you have viewed, but once you have a benchmark, compare the sizes on the floor plan.
• Is there a park, or any clubs nearby for children? Are there any local walks? A lot of people realised during lockdown how much they appreciate being able to have some open space on their doorstep, and areas for the kids to be able to escape and run off some energy.
• How long is the commute to and from work? Try the commute at the usual times you would be doing it. You might be pleasantly surprised. Traveling from some of the surrounding York villages can be quicker than being within the ring road itself!
• If you need to sell your property, the first step is to arrange a valuation so that you know how much your house is worth. Our advice is to have a few, so that you can compare and choose the best agent for you. Take a look at their Google Reviews, and how recent they are to gauge their current service levels.
• Make sure that any little jobs are done before you go ahead with photographs for your property, as this will be the first impression for many of your potential viewers. Try and de-clutter as much as possible, so that viewers are able to get a good understanding and feeling for the space.
• Before marketing your property, make sure that you can proceed financially. Affordability has changed a lot over the last year for a number of reasons, and so has lenders criteria. The last thing you want to do is to spend time getting ready for viewings, setting your heart on a property and then later finding you might not be able to proceed with it. On the brighter side, you might be able to borrow more than you think! Our sister company MAPIO Financial offer you free initial advice, and would be delighted to help.
• Dig out any paperwork you have from when you bought the property as this will be needed once you have sold. If you’ve had any gas/electrical/alterations/extensions done, make sure you have all the relevant paperwork to ensure you avoid any delays down the line. If you are not sure, please check with your solicitor/conveyancer. If you don’t have a solicitor/conveyancer, make sure you get some quotes from local companies as they will have probably bought/sold on your road, making them more aware of the area any potential issues that could delay a sale/purchase. Another benefit of a local firm is that any documentation can be hand delivered to save time. Also, take a look at their recent reviews to check their service levels. Don’t leave it until you have already sold to get a solicitor, because there will be lots of paperwork to complete, and you can be ahead of the game! Once you have sold, you will be spending your time viewing houses, sorting your mortgage etc ready to move.

So, make a plan, be organised and let us help you make your move! Contact us today on 01904 621532, email us on york@your-move.co.uk or visit our website