Moving into a new home can be a great and exciting opportunity for a new life. However, the process can be very daunting and takes a great deal of time and planning. From finding a new property to applying for a mortgage, there is a lot to consider. A common question many house hunters might ask themselves is when exactly the best time to move house is.
This is why we have produced this guide in order to help answer this very important question.
Common Factors to Consider
A range of common factors that might dictate when you will move into your new home may include:
- The weather
- Current house rent contracts
- The availability of removal companies
What is the Most Popular Time of Year to Move House?
For many, a popular time to move house tends to be within the summer months. It’s easy to understand why as the warm weather does make for a much more pleasant transition. Additionally, unpredictable weather in colder months with rain and snow can complicate certain aspects of the moving process.
However, just because the summer is the most popular time to move house that does not necessarily mean that it is the best time. One issue that you may face when moving house in the summer is that removal companies are often very busy due to increased demand. This problem may be intensified too if you find yourself in a hurry to relocate.
A work around here might be to wait for the main summer holiday period to come to an end. If you have kids who will need to enroll at a new school or if you have to start a new job, temporary accommodation may be required while your new property is unavailable. However, this can be an undesirable solution for many so it may be preferable to just try and book as far in advance as possible.
The Issue of Major Holidays
We have already mentioned that summer can be a troubling time for moving house due to the increased demand of people moving house in the summer holiday months. Additionally though, the christmas period may also not be ideal for a few reasons.
Firstly, the unpredictability of the weather with rain and snow can make for harsh driving conditions thus making the journey a lot more stressful. However, if you do decide to brace these conditions there are some benefits of moving in the christmas season. The latter part of the year does come with some time off work in the form of bank holidays and other public holidays. For some, this might be ideal as it allows for you to move house without having to use valuable vacation time.
Moving House with a Job
If you have been in your current position prior to your move date for a long period of time you should have some understanding of when the busier times of year are. Using this as a factor to gage when you move house might be helpful in assuring you don’t leave your job short staffed (which they will greatly appreciate!). Additionally, if you are needing to find a new role in your new location, you should try and organise this as quickly as you can.
Weather
As previously touched on before, winter weather can cause several complications to moving house. Not necessarily so much for you though but for your chosen removal company. Transporting large belongings can be hazardous and can result in injury and possible damage to your possessions. Conversely, travelling in extremely hot summer months can increase fatigue, especially if you have to make several journeys between homes to pick up belongings.
Children
Moving house as a child can be a stressful experience. It can often mean having to start at a new school and saying goodbye to old friends. Plenty of time prior might be needed for them to adjust to the idea of moving. Parents may wish to consider the structure of their school year and may opt to move in the summer in order to allow them to make time to say goodbye to their friends and settle into their new home before starting a new school year. Additionally, parents may also wish to take advantage of other school holidays such as autumn and spring if the summer time is not ideal.
When Should You Put a Property on the Market? – Advice from a Kingston Estate Agent
Moving into your new home is only half the journey. You will also need to consider when the best time of year will be to put your current property on the market. The spring and summer months are usually more popular for people looking for new properties to buy or rent so they might be your best bet. During other seasons such as winter, there is less demand and this may impact your moving date if you cannot find any potential buyers.
Estate agents can help guide you throughout this process. By working with an estate agent, you can receive support in having your property advertised where they can be easily seen. However you go about it, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time and perhaps consider hiring a cleaner or photographer so your current property can be shown off at its best and increase interest from potential buyers.
For more information and advice regarding moving or selling a property, get in touch with a Kingston Estate Agent today!
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