Moving House Part 3 – Introduction
Welcome to Moving House Part 3, and thank you for joining me on this journey!
So, we’ve covered house hunting, and we covered getting all your ducks in a row with your finances. What next? Well, at some point, with a bit of luck, some patience, and a great Estate Agent who really gets to know you well, you find your dream home.
There’s nothing quite like that moment when you step through the door of a property and feel it. I can remember when my wife and I walked into our new home, we both knew, immediately, ‘this is the one.’ After countless hours of scrolling through Rightmove and Zoopla, weekend viewings, and a few disappointments along the way, we’d finally found our dream home. It’s exciting, emotional, and even a little overwhelming.
But after that initial wave of excitement, the practical voice in your head kicks in. ‘What happens next? How do I actually secure this property?‘
As a mortgage advisor at Harbour Mortgage Solutions, I’ve helped many clients navigate this stage of their home-buying journey, and because I have recently moved myself, I know how important it is to balance excitement with preparation. That’s why in Moving House Part 3, I’ll walk you through the next steps: putting in an offer, dealing with chains, organising surveys, and starting to prepare for moving day. Think of this as your friendly guide to turning your dream home into your new address.
Step 1: Making an Offer – Securing the Property You Love
Once you’ve found the right property, the very first step is to make an offer through the estate agent. This is normally done verbally at first, then confirmed in writing. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Be Prepared with a Mortgage Agreement in Principle
One of the best ways to strengthen your offer is to have your Agreement in Principle (AIP) ready. This shows the seller that you’ve spoken to a mortgage advisor, know how much you can borrow, and are financially prepared to move forward. In the competitive market we are currently experiencing, this can make all the difference.
As an independent Mortgage Broker, I can get you the very best deals on the market because I am not tied to any one financial institution, so why not contact me for an informal chat? You could get your AIP in place sooner than you think.
Be Strategic About Your Offer
Don’t automatically assume you need to offer the full asking price. An article in The Negotiator recently highlighted that UK properties are selling, on average, at 17.4% below their asking price. Research recent sales in the area, consider the property’s condition, and factor in how long it’s been on the market. On the other hand, if it’s a highly desirable property with multiple interested buyers, you may need to act quickly and put forward a strong offer to avoid any disappointment.
Make Your Conditions Clear
You can make your offer subject to certain conditions, such as “subject to survey” or with a preferred timescale for completion. These details help set expectations early and can prevent misunderstandings later on in the process.
From my own experience, I found that being upfront and clear helped establish a good relationship with both the estate agent and the seller, which made negotiations much smoother.
Step 2: Dealing with Property Chains
One of the trickiest parts of buying in the UK can be the infamous property chain. This is where your purchase is dependent on you selling your property, or the seller buying another property, and possibly their seller too. It creates a domino effect that can be frustrating and daunting.
Stay Patient but Proactive
One of my biggest tips in ‘Moving House Part 3’ is that whilst chains can slow things down, the key is to remain calm while staying proactive. Ask your solicitor and estate agent for regular updates, and don’t be afraid to chase politely if things seem to stall.
Have a Contingency Plan
Unfortunately, chains do sometimes collapse. While it’s frustrating, being prepared for this possibility, both emotionally and financially, helps reduce stress. You may even want to keep an eye on alternative properties, just in case.
Work with the Right Professionals
This is where having a good solicitor and mortgage advisor pays off. Coordinated communication between professionals can make a world of difference in keeping the chain moving smoothly.
During my own move, I experienced the anxiety that comes with waiting on other parties in the chain. What helped me most was having professionals I trusted who kept me informed and gave me realistic timelines, rather than vague reassurances. Communication is key.
Step 3: Surveys and Valuations – Don’t Skip This Step
Once your offer has been accepted, it’s time to arrange surveys and valuations. This stage is crucial; it protects both you and your lender.
The Mortgage Valuation
This is carried out on behalf of your mortgage lender to confirm the property is worth the amount you’re borrowing. It’s important to note this is not a full survey; it’s simply to reassure the bank that they’re making a sound investment. As your independent Mortgage Advisor, I will guide you through this process seamlessly.
Homebuyer’s Report
This is the most popular choice in the UK. A Homebuyer’s Report highlights key issues like damp, subsidence, or structural problems. It’s a worthwhile investment that can help you avoid nasty surprises later on.
Full Structural Survey
If you’re buying an older property, or one that looks unusual or has been heavily altered, a full structural survey provides a deep dive into the property’s condition. While it costs more, it can save you a lot in the long run.
I must stress here that I’d never recommend skipping a survey. Even if the property looks immaculate, a survey can reveal hidden issues that could affect your decision or at least give you some leverage to renegotiate the price. The last thing you want is to invest your hard-earned finances into a home that becomes The Money-Pit (great early Tom Hanks Film, by the way).
However, my wife and I decided not to follow this step! I know, I know, I should practice what I preach, but we already knew the property we had fallen in love with needed considerable TLC to bring it up to modern-day living standards. So, we skipped it. As I said earlier, not something I would recommend to any of my clients!
Step 4: Preparing for Moving Day Early
Now, this is another of my top tips in Moving House part 3. It may feel a little premature, but once your offer has been accepted, it’s wise to start preparing for moving day. Trust me, despite what people say, and any ‘delays’ you may experience along the way with paperwork and homeowner chains, time flies. Being organised now will save you stress later.
Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is the perfect opportunity to streamline your belongings. If you haven’t used something in a year, do you really need to pay to move it? Sell, donate, or recycle wherever possible. There’s a great blog about decluttering your home for a house move on the Good Housekeeping website here.
Start Researching Removal Firms
Even without a confirmed completion date, get quotes from reputable removal companies early. The good ones book up fast, especially towards the month-end when completions are most common. (I’ll cover this in more detail in Part 4 of the series).
Organise Your Paperwork
Keep everything in one place: mortgage documents, solicitor letters, survey results, and identification. A dedicated folder, physical or digital, makes life much easier. Yes, I speak from experience! When you are busy packing and sorting, it is easy to lose essential information!
Budget for Extras
As I covered in the previous blog, remember to factor in more than just the property price. Solicitor fees, surveys, stamp duty, moving costs, and even new furniture or appliances add up quickly.
During my move, I underestimated the number of little expenses that cropped up, from buying extra boxes to needing an extra removal van on the day of the house move! Building in a buffer for these costs will save you a lot of stress.
Moving House Part 3 – Practical Tips for a Smoother Process
In this stage of the journey, a few extra tips can make all the difference:
- Stay in Regular Contact – Check in with your solicitor, estate agent, and mortgage advisor regularly to keep things moving.
- Be Honest About Timescales – If you need to move by a certain date, communicate this early so everyone is aware.
- Arrange Buildings Insurance Early – Your mortgage lender will require this, and it’s best to have it in place as soon as contracts are exchanged. (This is something we can arrange for you.)
- Prepare an “Essentials Box” – Start planning what you’ll need for your first night in your new home. I’d recommend the kettle, mugs, toiletries, phone chargers, bedding, and snacks.
- Plan for Children or Pets – If you have kids or pets, moving day can be overwhelming for them, too. Consider childcare or pet care to make the day less stressful. As you’ll know, if you’ve been following this series, we have two dogs, so we arranged for them to stay with family on moving day.
Moving House Part 3 – From Dream to Reality
Finding your dream home is a huge milestone, but making it yours takes careful planning. In Moving House Part 3, we’ve explored how to make a strong offer, what to expect if there’s a chain, why surveys matter, and how to get ahead with moving-day prep.
My biggest piece of advice? Surround yourself with professionals you trust and keep your communication lines open. There will be stressful moments, but with the right support, the process is manageable, and the reward is absolutely worth it.
So, that concludes ‘moving House Part 3’. In part 4 of this series, I’ll cover one of my biggest lessons from my own move: the importance of choosing a great removal firm and how they can completely transform your moving experience.
Until then, good luck with your journey, and remember, every step brings you closer to unlocking the front door of your dream home.