Moving House

It’s an exciting time, buying a new home. But don’t let your heart rule your head. Use our top 10 tips to make buying a house a pleasure

1) Understanding terminology

Sometimes, estate agents and lawyers can use odd terminology. They are not trying to catch you out, but it is worth knowing what it all means to give you some peace of mind.

  • "Offers in the region of" - This is used when describing the asking price for a property. It can be difficult to gage how low or how high to make your offer. Always seek independent advice from your estate agents, as they know the market better than anyone.
  • "Part Buy, Part Rent" - As part of the governments Help to Buy scheme, there are now opportunities to buy 50% of the value of the property. You will still require a deposit and mortgage approval to do this. The remaining 50% of the property is owned by the current owner or landlord. You are required to then pay an agree rental amount to the landlord, as you would normally in a rented property. Always seek advice from an independent financial advisor before considering this option.
  • "Disbursements" - These are the costs that are required to be made through your solicitor. These fees are non-negotiable, and do not go towards paying for your solicitor. Examples of these are Stamp Duty, Land Registry or Search fees.
  • "Freehold" - Freehold refers to when the property you are purchasing includes the ownership of the land it is built on. Most sales of residential property are on a freehold basis.
  • "Leasehold" - This refers to when the property you are purchasing does not include ownership of the land. In these cases, you are often required to pay ground-rent to the landlord.

2) Selling - the first hurdle

The first hurdle to get through is actually finding a buyer for your home. Your estate agent could be working around the clock to get people through the door, and make sure your house gets viewed, but if you don't ensure your house looks the part, that elusive sale might never come.

It is said that there are two main rooms which "sell" the house. The kitchen and the bathroom. Of course, every buyer is different, and this might not always be their priority. But never the less, it is still important to make sure your main rooms are looking tip top.

You don't need to do any drastic re-decorating, but simple tricks such as de-cluttering, keeping things clean and putting out fresh flowers can make all the difference.

When potential buyers come to view your house, it is said first impressions can make or break it. Make sure your front garden/entrance area looks clean, tidy and inviting. A bit of weeding could make all the difference.

3) Finding your dream home - listen to your head!

It is often too easy to get over-excited at the prospect of moving house, and when you view something that you instantly fall in love with, it can be difficult to make a fair judgement on the state of the property.

It is always advised to make a second viewing on a property that you are considering. You may not have noticed in the first viewing, that there is some damp in the bedroom. Whilst not always a deal-breaker for buying a house, it is important to consider all the pro's and con's for the property that you want to buy.

It might be worth taking a friend along who could offer impartial judgement. Once you have made an offer on the property, it is always recommended to get an independent survey performed. Once this has been done, you will have a better understanding of the potential hidden problems with the property such as:

  • Is the building structurally sound?
  • Is there damp or mould?
  • Do the window frames have cracking paint? Is the double-glazing intact?
  • How old is the roof?
  • Are there electrical points and what condition are they in?
  • Is the plumbing adequate and without problems?

4) Explore your new neighbourhood

It’s very easy to find out about your new home, without going to see it every day. Using online tools such Rightmove, What’s On Guides, Chamber of Commerce Events and of course the odd day out shopping or going for a long work, can work wonders on helping you get to know your new neighbourhood before you move.

You could even ask your solicitor if they know much about the area. The chances are he or she will have helped with legal work for other clients moving to that area, and they might be able to tell you the best place to get a take-away on your moving day!

5) Plan the day on paper - what will you do?

It's always worth planning out a step-by-step guide of the moving day. Plan what you will do, and what others will do. Will you have friends or family to help? Will you hire a removal van? Are there valuables that you would want to transport yourself?

As conveyancers, we have a fantastic group of reliable removal companies which we can signpost you to. It's always good to get a recommended firm. You can also check that the company you choose is approved by the British Association of Removers.

If you plan to do the work yourself, make sure you know the best route to your new pad, and plan out which of your belongings will be "moving house" first. Check with your estate agents what time it is likely you will be able to pick up the keys. Some-times there can be a bit of waiting around once you have handed your keys in, so why not find a nice place for brunch or a coffee to pass the time.

6) Informing your suppliers

It is important to make sure all of your suppliers and contractors know that you are on the move. We recommend contacting your gas, water and electric suppliers as soon as you know that you are moving, to check what the best procedure is for them. They will most likely advise that you call them on moving day with your meter readings and new address.

Make a list of people or companies you will need to contact. It may be worth asking your suppliers to confirm by email or in writing that they have acknowledged your departure from the property.

Don't forget you might want to let friends and relatives know as well.

7) Get clued up on the legal procedures

A lot of the time, moving house can be a bit scary. Issues can arise when there is miscommunication between you, your buyer/seller, solicitor and your buyer/seller's solicitor. It is always wise to get clued up about what legal documents and procedures take place when a house is being bought or sold.

The clearer you are about what goes on the better. Visit out News pages to find your legal guide to moving house.

8) Communicate!

Whatever you do, do not disappear on holiday, or turn your phone off for week. Your solicitors are working around the clock to get the sale completed, and sometimes they might need to contact you to confirm agreements with the buyers of your property.

Try to get round to answering voicemails, emails or letters as soon as you can. The faster you respond, the faster you solicitor or estate agents can get things moving forward. Make sure you raise any queries that are a bit confusing, as issues can easily arise when important information is missed or not communicated.

9) Use your calendar EVERY DAY

Your calendar is your friend. Once you know that you are definitely moving house, the earlier you can start planning, the better. Set yourself realistic dates for when things will be done. Use your calendar every day. The best way to keep up to date is either keep a calendar on your fridge, or set reminders on your phone or computer. The sky is the limit when it comes to technology, and it is there to be utilised!

Make sure you time-scales are realistic. There is no point packing all your clothes par a couple of t-shirts with still at least 4 weeks to go to moving date. You will only end up un-packing again!

10) The joys of Moving Day

So, you’ve picked up your keys, your removal van is on the new drive-way and you have made your first cup of tea.

When you move in, it is often easy to make snap decisions such as "the picture should go there". Our top tip is to take your time over these decisions. The joy and excitement of moving in can sometimes cloud your judgement, and you may come to regret decisions made.

Plan in your head or on paper where everything will go. Prop pictures against walls before putting any hooks or nails into the walls, and take things at a steady pace.

You will enjoy your new home if you have done it your way, and that means making the right decisions for you.

Outstanding service!


Mrs Pillay

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-01-31T10:41:51+00:00

Mrs Pillay

Attention to detail

Impressed with the attention that was given to any problems that arose during my property transaction. Thank you for all your help!

Ms Wadsworth & Mr Wragg

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-08-14T10:06:29+01:00

Ms Wadsworth & Mr Wragg

Impressed with the attention that was given to any problems that arose during my property transaction. Thank you for all your help!

Very Good Service

Very good service

Mr Akram

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T10:26:31+01:00

Mr Akram

Very good service

Very Professional

Perfect service and very professional. Each member of staff I dealt with was compassionate and understanding.

Mrs Hadfield

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-10-10T10:26:05+01:00

Mrs Hadfield

Perfect service and very professional. Each member of staff I dealt with was compassionate and understanding.

Considerate, concerned manner

I really felt at ease with leaving Sue Painting to sort everything and being confident she had by best interests at heart in whatever I did. Her considerate, concerned manner whilst I was under a lot of stress never made me feel rushed with anything.

Mrs Woffenden

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-01-22T12:49:37+00:00

Mrs Woffenden

A considerate, concerned manner whilst I was under a lot of stress never made me feel rushed with anything.

Impressed with communication

I was impressed with communication, letters, phonecalls and meeting deadlines.

Mr Lindley

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-01-22T12:45:13+00:00

Mr Lindley

I was impressed with communication, letters, phonecalls and meeting deadlines.

Supportive and Helpful

I was impressed with the help and advice throughout the process, supportive at all times. The service was perfect for me and I would happily recommend your firm to all.

Mr Senior

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-10-11T10:46:43+01:00

Mr Senior

I was impressed with the help and advice throughout the process, supportive at all times. The service was perfect for me and I would happily recommend your firm to all.

Impressive Experience

Impressed with the whole experience, couldn't fault anything

Mr & Mrs Shirtcliffe

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T11:01:33+01:00

Mr & Mrs Shirtcliffe

Impressed with the whole experience, couldn't fault anything 

Very Friendly and Efficient Staff


Mr Wilson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-07-01T13:17:59+01:00

Mr Wilson

Friendly and Professional


Mrs Cook

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-01-22T09:38:51+00:00

Mrs Cook

Always There

Someone always there at the other end of the phone

 

Mr & Mrs Fenwick

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-11-26T10:43:02+00:00

Mr & Mrs Fenwick

Someone always there at the other end of the phone  

Very Helpful & Communicative

Impressed with very helpful, communicative and professional manner - Top work!

Mr Fox

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-24T11:59:04+01:00

Mr Fox

Impressed with very helpful, communicative and professional manner - Top work!

Recommended

I have already recommended to a few people!

Miss Parker

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-01-15T13:52:18+00:00

Miss Parker

I have already recommended to a few people!

Excellent Service from Beginning to End

Excellent service from beginning to end; the friendly welcome, pleasant atmosphere whilst being dealt with. It is without hesitation that  we would recommend Wosskow Brown Solicitors.

Mr & Mrs Sampson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T12:01:12+01:00

Mr & Mrs Sampson

Excellent service from beginning to end; the friendly welcome, pleasant atmosphere whilst being dealt with. It is without hesitation that  we would recommend Wosskow Brown Solicitors. 

Clear and Understanding

The file handler was very understanding and explained everything clearly!

Mrs Yoxall

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-20T15:43:13+01:00

Mrs Yoxall

The file handler was very understanding and explained everything clearly!

Great Service


Mr Shaw

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-06-25T12:06:31+01:00

Mr Shaw

Prompt and Professional

The speed of service was very prompt and professional

Mrs Kang

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T12:20:07+01:00

Mrs Kang

The speed of service was very prompt and professional 

Would Recommend

Excellent service would recommend and use you again! The help we received to sort out our issue was excellent.

Mrs Thompson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-09-27T10:12:05+01:00

Mrs Thompson

Excellent service would recommend and use you again! The help we received to sort out our issue was excellent.

Pleasant and Patient Staff


Mrs Howarth

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-07-01T13:16:53+01:00

Mrs Howarth

Excellent Support and Advice

I'm so very grateful to Wosskow Brown, and Claire, for the excellent support and advice.

Ms Walsh

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-11-11T10:47:23+00:00

Ms Walsh

I'm so very grateful to Wosskow Brown, and Claire, for the excellent support and advice.

Kept Informed

Always kept me informed, very professional

Ms Pinder

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-08-22T10:46:14+01:00

Ms Pinder

Always kept me informed, very professional

Efficient

The service received was very efficient, thorough and professional

Ms Proud

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-02-25T09:53:15+00:00

Ms Proud

The service received was very efficient, thorough and professional

Thank you

We would recommend without hesitation. Thank you for all your support and hard work over he last 3 months! You made my house sale straight forward!

Ms Rippon

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-01-13T16:12:22+00:00

Ms Rippon

We would recommend without hesitation. Thank you for all your support and hard work over he last 3 months! You made my house sale straight forward!

Quick, Polite and Professional

Particularly impressed with the quick responses received; as well as polite and professional staff

Mr & Mrs Shah

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-06-25T11:58:45+01:00

Mr & Mrs Shah

Particularly impressed with the quick responses received; as well as polite and professional staff

Friendly and Professional


Ms Proud

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-02-25T09:51:53+00:00

Ms Proud

The Work was Fantsastic

The work was fantastic and I would recommend to other people!

Mrs Horsfield

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-22T12:03:13+01:00

Mrs Horsfield

The work was fantastic and I would recommend to other people!

Very Helpful

We were kept up to date at all times. Very helpful and professional, we would recommend to anyone.

Mr & Mrs Sagar

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-11-21T11:13:24+00:00

Mr & Mrs Sagar

We were kept up to date at all times. Very helpful and professional, we would recommend to anyone.

My first port of call for all legal work


Mrs Richardson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-07-04T11:45:24+01:00

Mrs Richardson

Impressed by the Professioanlism


Mrs Pidd

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-23T10:21:57+01:00

Mrs Pidd

Impressive Customer Service

Impressed with overall service and customer service, very assertive

Mrs Rhodes

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T10:46:49+01:00

Mrs Rhodes

Impressed with overall service and customer service, very assertive 

Perfection

The service received couldn't have been any better, it was excellent. I was impressed with how smooth it all went and am completely satisfied, thank you very much!

Mr Banks

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-07-04T11:42:13+01:00

Mr Banks

The service received couldn't have been any better, it was excellent. I was impressed with how smooth it all went and am completely satisfied, thank you very much!

Extremely Helpful

Extremely helpful information provided at each step of the purchasing process
Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2020-03-02T10:07:40+00:00
Extremely helpful information provided at each step of the purchasing process

Highly Satisfied

Impressed with the wonderful friendliness and professionalism. I was highly satisfied.

 

Ms Monney

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-11-26T10:41:33+00:00

Ms Monney

Impressed with the wonderful friendliness and professionalism. I was highly satisfied.  

Made things easy

We will always praise you as you made things so easy for us, thank you.

Mr Koc

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-11-26T10:38:53+00:00

Mr Koc

We will always praise you as you made things so easy for us, thank you.

Exceptional from start to finish

Kimberley Cooke was exceptional from start to finish. Very very impressed with her.

Mr Clayton

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2018-11-12T14:22:21+00:00

Mr Clayton

Exceptional from start to finish.

Could not have had nicer people dealing with my case

The whole team were very helpful, all questions were answered quickly which gave me peace of mind! I could not have had nicer people dealing with my case.

Mrs Johnstone

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T12:30:18+01:00

Mrs Johnstone

The whole team were very helpful, all questions were answered quickly which gave me peace of mind! I could not have had nicer people dealing with my case. 

Dedicated, Committed & Professional

Impressed with the dedication, commitment and professionalism;  I will be using you again in the near future

Mr Hazel

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-28T11:56:37+01:00

Mr Hazel

Impressed with the dedication, commitment and professionalism;  I will be using you again in the near future

Definitely Recommend

Friendly expertise, made us feel very comfortable through the whole transaction. Would Definitely recommend.

Mr & Mrs Hawley

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T12:25:02+01:00

Mr & Mrs Hawley

Friendly expertise, made us feel very comfortable through the whole transaction. Would Definitely recommend. 

Great Communication

Communication was great between myself and the office, I was always kept informed during the process

Miss Handley

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T11:26:30+01:00

Miss Handley

Communication was great between myself and the office, I was always kept informed during the process

Above and Beyond

Service was above and beyond expected; impressed with the sheer determination to help us in every way!

Mr Martin

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-29T12:14:25+01:00

Mr Martin

Service was above and beyond expected; impressed with the sheer determination to help us in every way!

Helpful and Professional

Very pleased with the service provided - everyone was helpful and professional.

Mr Keyworth

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2018-11-12T14:07:26+00:00

Mr Keyworth

Everyone was helpful and professional.

High Level of Service

We didn't expect such a high level of service, well done!

Mrs Holloway

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-28T12:02:29+01:00

Mrs Holloway

We didn't expect such a high level of service, well done!

Absolutely Amazing

Absolutely amazing, don’t change anything!

Mrs Atkinson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2018-12-21T11:17:04+00:00

Mrs Atkinson

Absolutely amazing, don’t change anything!

Committed Staff

Impressed with the commitment of the file handler to get the work done

Mr & Mrs Denton

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T11:19:30+01:00

Mr & Mrs Denton

Impressed with the commitment of the file handler to get the work done

Very Efficient and Quick

Work was very efficient and quick! The file handler was brilliant, informative and very helpful! Will recommend

Mr Hobson

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-06-25T12:15:13+01:00

Mr Hobson

Work was very efficient and quick! The file handler was brilliant, informative and very helpful! Will recommend

Consistently Professional

Always very satisfied with the service provided, consistently professional

Miss Laver

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-09-13T11:01:17+01:00

Miss Laver

Always very satisfied with the service provided, consistently professional

Very Pleased, Would Recommend

I was highly satisfied with the work carried out. Every time I called there was someone there to help and advise me. I was very pleased and would recommend you.

Mr Barton

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-05-16T10:41:20+01:00

Mr Barton

I was highly satisfied with the work carried out. Every time I called there was someone there to help and advise me. I was very pleased and would recommend you. 

Most satisfied, and will use again

All staff were very informative, and dealt with any problems quickly! I was most satisfied, and will use you again

Ms Spence

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2019-06-25T12:01:21+01:00

Ms Spence

All staff were very informative, and dealt with any problems quickly! I was most satisfied, and will use you again

Fantastic Service

Thanks for all your help with buying our house and being so quick with it all, I think the service from start to finish has been fantastic and would definitely recommend you.

Mr Whitaker

Wosskow Brown Solicitors
2018-12-19T16:33:51+00:00

Mr Whitaker

The service from start to finish has been fantastic.
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Wosskow Brown Solicitors