Get Ready to Move
The property market is earmarked as one of the first to reopen after lockdown.This will be welcome news for many homeowners who had their home moves halted as the country locked down in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
In practice though, with lockdown set to continue, homeowners won’t be moving for at least the next three weeks. So while you stay home and stay safe, what can you realistically do for the next few weeks to ensure you’re ready to move when the lockdown is lifted? Take a look at some ideas from the Home Owners Alliance (www.hoa.org.uk) to get you prepared to hit the ground running once the lockdown is over.
Getting yourself ready to move Get house hunting from home. Zoopla say that people have kept their homes on the market with only 1% fewer homes for sale on the portal today than there were on 7 March. So take a well-earned break from home schooling and get house hunting instead.
Find an estate agent If you’re keen to sell, then use the time now to find an estate agent with HOA’s online Estate Agent for Me tool or make some calls and speak to some agents. Find out how quickly they typically sell, what they anticipate the value of your house is and how often they achieve asking price. Get a copy of the contract along with their fees and read it carefully, ready to sign up once the government lifts restrictions Sort out your finances It’s not a great time for anyone to be making a big financial outlay at the moment. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look at your options. If you’re planning to move to a more expensive property or your mortgage deal is coming to an end, this is the perfect time to remortgage onto a better deal. Speak to a fee-free mortgage broker to see how much you can save, borrow in future and which lender will offer you the best deal. Get your paperwork in order If you’re applying for a mortgage, you’ll need at least three months’ worth of bank statements and pay slips, your name on at least one utility bill at your current address, and need to be on the Electoral Roll. Use the time to check your credit rating as well. Prepare your home for sale According to our 2019 Annual HomeOwners Survey, more than 68% of homeowners say kerb appeal was important in their choice of home. The most important factors were windows being in good condition, a well maintained roof and a tidy front garden and driveway/path. We’ve teamed up with Checkatrade to help you find local tradesmen near you and get those jobs done fast. Get a legal firm lined up You need to choose a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal work involved in buying and selling a property. Compare quotes to find the cheapest, nearest and best rated conveyancers and compile a list of questions to ask your conveyancer. Get removals quotes If you have a house move on hold, then you might be surprised to learn you can still get removals quotes as many firms are doing virtual valuations. Using Facetime or WhatsApp video, you can walk your removals firm around your home to enable them to give you a quote. Check out how to find the right removals company for your move and get removals quotes today.
Article taken in part from www.hoa.org.uk – to read the article in full why not visit their website where you will also find for handy guides and additional information.
Important Information All property sales and the financial advice that surrounds them are as unique as the people engaging in the transaction. It is important to not make a decision without seeking professional advice. If you want to sell your home and are considering redecorating before marketing, speak to one of our Property Professionals to get the best advice for presenting your home for sale before making any investment. This article is for the purpose of information only and should not be seen as financial advice.