Moving house can be an exciting experience; it opens up new opportunities and a change of environment. However, the process can also be incredibly stressful with several daunting challenges to overcome first.
Here we would like to provide you with some helpful tips to overcome the seven most common challenges when moving house.
1. Finding a new home
Okay, this one is an obvious part of the process, but unless you are incredibly lucky, finding a home that meets your needs, budget, and preferences can be a challenge, especially in the current housing climate with rising mortgage rates.
It can take months to research different locations, find a property that meets your requirements and arrange visits.
To start off, you could sign up with all the local estate agents in the areas you are interested in, but a new concept is to employ the services of a property consultant. Although generally a paid service, they will take on board your preferences, needs, and budget, and do the groundwork for you. With their network of contacts, they will be able to find properties (some of which may not have even been listed yet) and save you hours of online searching and telephone calls.
2. Preparing your property for sale
Not only have you got to find a new home, but for a lot of people, you also need to try and sell your current property. This can become even more depressing when it seems most other houses on selling sites such as Zoopla and Rightmove seems to have been given an Instagram-ready makeover!
Fear not. Most buyers want a house that they can envisage themselves living in. To achieve this feel, simply remove all the unnecessary clutter from the surfaces, and consider moving items of furniture or possessions, not immediately needed, into temporary storage.
It’s also a great time to declutter things that you don’t want to move with you, so these can be sorted into piles for donating, recycling or selling.
At Casey’s we provide a secure storage facility with fantastic fees on short or long-term packages, making it the perfect place to store items you don’t want cluttering up your house until you move. Give us a call to find out more on 020 8659 6677.
3. Packing & Unpacking
It can be overwhelming to sort through your belongings, figure out what to keep and what to get rid of, and then pack everything up. Once you arrive at your new home, you then have to unpack everything, which can be equally daunting, as you try to find a place for everything in your new home. Who wants to be surrounded by boxes for weeks after the move?
Packing & unpacking is often a service that can be supplied by a reputable removal company, and one that we offer at Casey’s Removals.
Instead of spending weeks packing, and often falling down the rabbit hole of nostalgia, hiring a removal company to do this process for you, will give you more time to sort out the other important issues surrounding your move.
A removal company will often arrive the day before your move (or early in the morning on the day) and pack your belongings into boxes. Our fully trained staff have a system they work to, which is very fast and ensures your items are wrapped carefully and safely for transportation.
You can also opt for an unpacking service too, which means you won’t be surrounded by removal boxes once you are moved in,
4. Changing your address
Updating your address with various institutions, such as banks, credit card companies, and government agencies, can be a tedious and time-consuming process. It’s times like this that you wished you had a folder full of all this information already, but you’re not alone. Most people don’t.
We have created a simple checklist for you to download, which lists all the types of institutions and government agencies that need contacting. It may also be worth setting up a mail redirection with Royal Mail to ensure that any missed items will get to you.
Then once you’ve completed your list, create your own ‘house file’ to store it in for next time.
5. Saying goodbye to friends and family
Moving house can be a very bittersweet experience. On the one hand, you are opening yourself up to new opportunities for growth and new experiences, but on the other hand having to say goodbye to close friends and loved ones. It can be the most emotional part of the whole process.
Here are some tips to help make the transition a little easier:
• Plan a farewell gathering: This is a great way to say goodbye to a number of people at once and give you an opportunity to express your appreciation for their friendship and support.
• Stay connected: With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with people far away. Make sure to exchange contact information and plan to regularly check-ins with each other,
• Take time to process your emotions: Moving houses is a big change, and it’s okay to feel sad or anxious about it. Give yourself time to process your emotions and don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and family for extra support.
6. Unforeseen expenses
Moving house is an expense process, and can be made even more so when unforeseen expenses arise, such as repairs and cleaning. One expense that people try to save on is the actual moving process. If you have a small property, strong arms, and a team of willing helpers, then moving your furniture and belongings yourself may seem simple, and could save you money.
However, based on our experience, we have noticed that customers often feel overwhelmed when it comes to this part of the move. Firstly, you have to make sure that you have a vehicle large enough to transport all of your belongings in one trip, especially important if it is a long-distance move.
Additionally, you have to factor in the heavy lifting and the time constraints associated with emptying your old home for its new occupants within the timeframe of your truck rental agreement. All of these tasks can quickly become overwhelming.
And then once you arrive at your new home, you still have to unload everything as well.
When Casey’s Removals quote for a house move, we are very upfront with our prices and do not hide any fees. We recommend you book a Home Removal Survey, where one of our estimators will visit your property to assess the items needing removal, and give you a breakdown of costs*.
*We can provide this quote in advance of your move, and it will be valid until your move.
7. Adjusting to a new environment
And then finally when you have moved, you need to adjust to a new neighbourhood, community, and environment, which can be difficult at first, especially if you are moving to a completely new area.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you adjust to your new environment:
• Take some time to explore: Familiarize yourself with the area by taking walks or drives around the local area. This will help you get a sense of the geography, local landmarks, and available services.
• Meet your neighbours: Introducing yourself to your neighbors is a great way to start building relationships in your new community. You can also ask them for recommendations on local restaurants, shops, and services.
• Get involved: Joining local groups, clubs, or organizations can help you meet new people who share your interests. This can also be a great way to learn more about the area and get involved in local events.
• Stay connected: Make an effort to stay in touch with friends and family back home. This can help you feel less isolated as you adjust to your new home.
Moving can be a difficult and nerve-wracking experience. But, by taking the time to plan and prepare, you can reduce the stress and ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible.