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In terms of life events, moving house rates high in the stress stakes. While a certain degree of hassle is inevitable, moveme.com can help to keep your blood pressure under control. Aim to get started on your ‘to do’ list as soon as your offer is accepted. Arranging a survey is one of the first things to tick off, although choosing which type presents many buyers with a dilemma. There are three main kinds of survey: a basic valuation (the cheapest), a homebuyer’s report (the most common) and a full structural survey (the most detailed). Which you choose is partly determined by the age and type of property you are buying. For example, a new build should be contractor guaranteed for a period of time. In this case a basic valuation may be adequate, whereas if you need a mortgage your lender is likely to insist, at the very minimum, on a homebuyer’s survey. As a rule of thumb the older the property, the more detailed the survey required. Don’t rely too heavily on advice from the estate agent involved, it’s not necessarily within their interest to recommend a full structural survey that could reveal problems and create delays – most just want a quick sale.

With moving costs from an average house worth £149,906, to £174,744, start at around £ 5,304 – excluding mortgage arrangement fee, survey and removals – it’s tempting to cut corners and expenses. When finances are stretched to the limit an independent survey may fall to the bottom of your priority list, but as a buyer it is essential that you know about any potential problems. This will then enable you to budget for remedial repairs and you may even find that a less-than-perfect survey provides some leverage in negotiating a price reduction. Try to secure the services of a good solicitor as early as possible. Although DIY conveyancing has become increasingly popular, the law society urges caution, with particular attention singled out for leasehold properties and those with questionable building and planning regulations – our current national obsession with home improvement seems to have spawned an endemic of these. Speak to friends and colleagues for personal recommendations and aim to get at least three quotes before instructing a solicitor. Payment varies from fixed rates to hourly billing so choose one to suit your own circumstances. For discounts on removals book with Moveme’s removals quote booking system to get the discounts we have negotiated on your behalf.

Researching a new area can be one of the more enjoyable tasks attached to moving house. If you can spend some time in the 6-8 weeks, leading up to the big day, mooching around on foot, it will give you more insight than driving through. Pop into the local eateries or bars, proprietors are renowned for their local knowledge and tips, especially if they’ve been around a while. Council websites and portals such as upmystreet.com are good first points of call for information on local amenities such as swimming pools, parks and recycling points. Building up some familiarity prior to moving into a new area makes it seem slightly less alien once you are in situ. Schools can be a deal breaker if you have (or are planning) a family. Make sure that you check out both schools and their individual allocation policies as far in advance as possible. Some education authorities in areas close to oversubscribed schools have recently introduced new catchment conditions that rely on factors other than proximity to the school. Also note that most catchment areas change from year-to-year, depending on intake. By contacting the local education authority and admissions directly you can source the most up-to-date information. Most schools will accept pupil registration once you have a local address, even if you don’t move in for another couple of months. Check out upmystreet.com for local schools in the area. With two months to go, it’s never too early to begin the great clutter clearout – you’d be surprised at just how many nooks and junk collecting crannies even the smallest property acquires. The good stuff can be either recycled or sold (see article on decluttering you home) the rest needs to go. Psychologically it’s a good way of coming to terms with your impending house move and focusing your mind on the end result: what you want in your new home.

Now is the time to book your removal company as they tend to get booked up early. It’s worth getting at least 3 quotes, moveme.com can provide all our users reviews on removal companies so you can choose based on price and users recomendations.