There are already a lot of things that you have to pay for when moving house. If you own your property you will have to pay for your next home and all of the legal work that comes with selling and buying a home. On top of this, there are mover’s fees, repair fees and even missed days at work. Wouldn’t it be nice to have to go through this process without having to spend so much money?
Fortunately, there are some ways you can still move while saving yourself some money. You just have to be clever about it.
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De-clutter
De-cluttering your home will give you peace of mind and make it so much easier to move around without so much junk in the way. We all have a cupboard or two that we dread going inside because of the mess within. However, a good de-clutter session can also help you save money when it is time to move.
Most moving companies will charge you more for making several trips to and from your new house. As such, you should aim to get rid of the things that you no longer need so there is no reason for so many extra trips in the van. De-cluttering your home can be difficult but you can make the process easier by asking yourself a few questions. For example, you can agree to throw away anything that you haven’t used in the last year. Alternatively, you can also get rid of the stuff you can’t picture using in your next address. Even if your next home is bigger than where you currently live, you are sure to have a few unnecessary items lying around that won’t fit in somewhere new.
Be Sensible With Repairs
While it is useful to repair anything in your home before you put it on the market, it can get expensive if you do not know how to do these repairs effectively. For example, there are some repairs that may prevent you from selling your home and others that are only aesthetically pleasing. A home survey will help you identify which is which. As such, you should prioritise the repairs that will help you sell your house.
You can also save some money by knowing how best to source the tradesmen for the job. For instance, hiring local roofers is going to be a lot cheaper than dragging someone from far away. Most local tradesmen are just as capable as anyone else. You may even get to save money if you happen to know the people whom you hire for such repairs in your local area. Try to be sensible with your repairs and you will find that they aren’t as expensive as you once thought. You aren’t the one benefitting the most from this work, after all. Fix what you have to, not what you are expected to and you should be fine.
Find Out What Is Being Left In Your Next House
If you are having trouble deciding what to bring with you to your new home, then chances are that the people moving on from your next house. White goods are one of the most complicated things to ship and fit into a new property. As such, many people choose to leave them behind to save themselves from this hassle.
As a result, you may end up inheriting a fridge, freezer, oven, tumble dryer or washing machine when you arrive at your new address, No one has a use for two of any of these items and ending up with more than you need could prove costly during the move. That is why you should check to see what may be left behind by the previous owners before you start sorting out hiring your movers. You don’t want to waste money shipping your own appliances unnecessarily. What’s more, you may end up making some extra cash if you are able to sell off some of your old kitchen appliances before you move. The moving company will also appreciate not having to lug your white goods around with no need.
Use Your Own Surveyors
Surveying a new property can be challenging and most people are just happy to get this part of the sales process out of the way just to get the legal paperwork moving again. As such, you may find that you are receiving a surveyor’s report from a seller that isn’t as genuine as it could be.
You don’t want to move into a new house and find that you have a lot of things to fix when it should have been picked up by a surveyor. Save yourself some money down the line and get your mortgage provider to provide their own surveyor. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, so having two professionals survey the property is going to ensure that no potential issues are going to fall through the cracks.
Don’t Forget Your Solicitor
Once you have put your home on the market and found a buyer, it is up to your solicitor to push the rest of the paperwork. This process can take up to three months or longer and you are paying these professionals during this time.
Remember that you are just one client going through the exact same process. As such, your solicitor may put your paperwork on the back burner for a moment. Sadly, this is going to cost you money, so it is worth giving your solicitor a call every now and again to make sure they have your case on track. You don’t have to call every day. There is a fine line between offering a gentle reminder and becoming a pest. However, a quick call or email when you haven’t heard any news for a while should be enough to get the job done and save you money in the long run.
Negotiate Your Fees With Your Estate Agent
Another professional you will need when selling your home is an estate agent. You will need to pay them for their services of arranging viewings of your property and putting it on the market. They will also take a commission out of the overall sale.
Most UK estate agents will take an average of 1.5% out of your sales fees. However, most of the estate agents on the market are open to negotiation. It is worth a try- especially when you consider that even knocking down the commission price by 0.5% could save you a couple of thousand.
Remember Your EPC Certificate
An EPC certificate is used to evaluate the energy efficiency of your property. It is a legal document that you will be required to provide when selling your house.
Getting this certificate sorted can cost most UK households up to £120. However, it is worth noting that these certificates are valid for ten years. As such, you can avoid this fee entirely if you have an EPC certificate that is in date. Remember to check this document before you put your house ono the market and you can avoid having to unnecessarily pay these fees.
Conclusion
While moving house inherently involves significant expenses, implementing these strategic approaches can lead to substantial cost savings. The article effectively demonstrates that through careful planning, informed decision-making and attention to detail, homeowners can significantly reduce their moving expenses while ensuring a smooth transition to their new property.
Summary
This article outlines effective strategies for reducing costs during the home-moving process. The key recommendations include systematic decluttering to minimize moving expenses, prioritizing essential repairs over cosmetic improvements and conducting thorough property surveys. The article emphasizes the importance of proactive communication with legal professionals and negotiating fees with estate agents. Additionally, it highlights practical considerations such as checking for included appliances in the new property and verifying EPC certificate validity.