New Year, New Home: Moving Tips from our Conveyancing Team

Here at John Fowlers Solicitors, we’ve been trusted to provide conveyancing services for more than 90 years. During this time, we’ve overseen the exchange of thousands of properties in Essex and have gained invaluable knowledge about the moving process. To ensure that the process is as straightforward and stress-free as possible, we’ve compiled some of our top moving tips… 

We understand that the Christmas period can be a busy one. With family, friends and neighbours popping round for festive drinks, exchanging gifts and the all-important Christmas dinner, it can feel like you haven’t got a minute spare. If you do manage to find some free time, it’s a good idea to spend some time decluttering, cleaning and even doing a spot of decorating. Not only is this a great way of starting the new year afresh, it’s also good to be prepared for marketing photos. You should also consider having your home valued to ensure that it’s marketed at an accurate price. By spending time getting your home in top condition, you might find that you increase the interest from prospective buyers. 

Found a property that you love? It’s a good idea to book your surveyors early to avoid disappointment. It’s likely that many people will have the same idea as you and will want to achieve their property dreams in the upcoming year. So, you might find that there are certain points of the year where surveyors are more in demand. We’d encourage you to invest in the relevant surveys to ensure that your dream house is all it appears to be. If you find that there’s an issue with the property, you may be able to negotiate on price or it could change your mind altogether. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

By choosing trusted and experienced conveyancers, you can rest assured that your transaction will be in safe and reliable hands. If you’re a first time buyer, you’re buying and selling a property for the first time, or it’s been a while since you went through the process, it’s likely that you’ll need some guidance. Choosing to work with a reputable and experienced conveyancing firm can take away the stress as they’ll guide you through the entire process. Here at John Fowlers Solicitors, our conveyancing team pride themselves on going above and beyond to support our clients. Our experienced team has the knowledge you need for a stress-free purchase and sale, from enquiry through to completion. If you’re interested in finding out more about the conveyancing process, then check out our blog post on Conveyancing: The Legal Side of Selling Your Home. 

Once you have exchanged contracts and you have decided on the completion date, you’ll need to look into removals. This is another aspect of the moving process that requires being super organised and thorough research. It’s important to read reviews on removal companies and check their terms and conditions for any hidden fees. When moving day arrives, it’s key to make sure that you’re packed up and ready to go. Leaving your packing to the last minute can cause chaos and a lot of stress! It’s worth being surrounded by boxes for a little while to ensure that the move goes as smoothly as possible. If for whatever reason you need to look into storage facilities, it’s a good idea to shop around and ensure that you are fully aware of their terms and conditions and grab the best price possible. 

Once you have exchanged, you’ll be in a legal binding contract and you’ll be financially responsible for the property. This means that you’ll need buildings insurance that protects the property as soon as you exchange. It’s important to ensure that you’re prepared and have fully looked into this. In some cases, your mortgage may require you to take out mortgage life insurance or another form of insurance. If you’re unsure about any of the insurance that you’re legally required to take out, speak to your conveyancing team. Your conveyancing solicitor will be able to talk you through the process and explain anything that you feel unsure about. It’s also a good idea to consider utilities. Remember to take meter readings and ensure that all old accounts are closed and new ones have been opened. 

Once you’ve moved in, you can let out a deep sigh of relief and enjoy the feeling of being in your new home. Whether you’re planning on spending your first evening in the new home decorating, popping open the bubbly, or curling up with a soothing cup of tea, it’s important to take the time to congratulate yourself! Congratulations on your new home.