To make this process as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together seven key steps to guide you through, from selling your home to getting settled in your new place. Without further ado, let's dive into the journey of transforming your homemoving dreams into a reality!
1. Prepare to sell your home
You’ll want to ensure a quick, straightforward sale, and you can help boost your chances of this by showing off your property in the best possible light. If you have any unfinished DIY projects or things that need fixing, like a broken door handle or a dripping tap, repair them ahead of any viewings. This demonstrates that your property has been well-maintained, and that buyers won’t have any additional work to do on top of the stress of moving house.
You should also consider giving your home a lick of paint to freshen up the interior. Choosing a neutral colour scheme will help buyers imagine how they would put their own stamp on the property. Furthermore, if you’ve overlooked your garden in recent months, be sure to invest some time into getting it tidy.
2. Boost your kerb appeal
Remember, first impressions count, and improving the property’s exterior is a crucial part of selling your home. The best thing to do is go outside and give the property a critical look for ways you can improve it and potentially add value. Does the drive need weeding, or could the gutters do with clearing? Whether big or small, now’s the ideal time to get these types of jobs done.
3. Work out what you can afford
Selling your current home (and moving house in general) takes a great deal of planning, especially from a financial perspective. You may need to get a mortgage to fund your new home, and if so, you’ll need to find out how much you can borrow before you start hunting around. By speaking to a mortgage adviser, you can get a more accurate idea of what you can afford to buy.
Finding out this information early on means you won’t waste time looking at houses in the wrong price bracket. It also means you can get an Agreement in Principle (AIP). This is a document provided by your chosen mortgage lender to show they could, in principle, give you a mortgage up to a certain amount. Most estate agents will request this before you start the buying process, so having this sorted ahead of time could boost your chances of having an offer accepted when you find your dream home.
4. Sort your paperwork
When it comes to getting a mortgage, you’ll need to supply a range of paperwork to support your application. This includes things such as three months’ worth of bank statements, three months’ payslips, and proof of address and identity. You should get all of your documents in order before you attend your mortgage appointment with an adviser, as this could be beneficial in speeding up your application - and, subsequently, moving house.
5. Investigate your credit score
Lenders will look at your credit report when you apply for a mortgage. They’ll use it to help determine whether they'll lend you money, how much they'll loan to you, and sometimes how much interest to charge you.
If moving house is at the top of your agenda, it’s important to check it as one of your first steps. If your score is lower than you had hoped, there are things you can do to improve it. If you think your credit report contains mistakes, then it’s essential you get them corrected before applying for a mortgage.
6. Find an estate agent to sell your current home
You’ll need to hire an estate agent if you’re planning on selling your home, so be sure to do your research to find the right one. It’s important to speak to a number of agents, finding out how much they charge in fees, and how much they'll list your property for. You should also check customer reviews wherever possible to see how others rated their experience.
7. Sort the legalities of moving house
You’ll also need a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal work involved in buying and selling a house. Instead of waiting until you’ve had an offer accepted on a property to find one, why not do your research now? Getting everything in place now will speed up the process further down the line.
Whether you’re set on moving house as soon as possible, or are thinking about selling your home later this year, make sure you’ve got everything in place so you can kickstart your homebuying journey as soon as the time’s right.
Our team of mortgage advisers will work closely with you to find a mortgage deal that will suit your financial circumstances, putting you in the best possible position for your impending house move. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation conversation about your mortgage.
Important information
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend on your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage early.
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