Stress free guide to moving house

Now you know the process – how can you do it with the least stress and upheaval? Here are our top 10 tips to ensure that you and your family enjoy selling your home and look forward to a new life with excitement rather than trepidation wherever possible:

1. Decide not to get stressed right at the beginning

Easy to say, but take a deep breath: selling a home is a complicated process and often has a whole load of emotions slapped on top for good measure. Do a deal with yourself. Decide you will not get wound up and no matter what happens, you will try to find logical solutions that get you what you want.

2. Involve the family

If you’re moving with children, make sure the kids are part of the process. Give them tasks to do, get them excited about where you are going if you can, dwell on the positive and don’t involve them in any of the worries if you can avoid it. If you have a partner, try to get them to share the moving tasks, but be clear about who is doing what so you don’t end up in conflict.

3. Be realistic about time frames

It does take a fair amount of time to sell a home (usually three to six months.) Have sensible expectations and it will be less frustrating.

4. Try to enjoy viewings

Be proud of your home and make sure it looks its best for viewings. If you don’t really want to move, stay away and let the estate agent do the selling.

5. Keep a note of timescales

If a solicitor, mortgage company or buyer agrees to do something by a particular date, make a diary note. If you haven’t heard, make a polite enquiry reminding them that was the agreed timeline. Try to keep a healthy balance of being in their mind without being a nuisance.

6. Prepare in advance

If you are using a removals company, make sure that you obtain a few quotes to get an idea of cost and the notice period required to make your booking. Some removal companies will add an additional charge for last minute booking so its worth thinking about removals sooner rather than later. You might also make a note of the items you don't want to take with you. Is it time to put lots of stuff on an auction site?

7. After Exchange of Contracts

It’s really happening so get organised. You are now legally responsible for the building and contents insurance on your new home (with the exception of leasehold properties as it is usually the responsibility of the leaseholder to purchase building insurance). Get your home insurance quote now.

Change of address needs to be sorted with banks, utilities, friends and relatives. You can also set up a mail redirection at the Post Office to redirect any letters that arrive at your old home.

8. Approaching Completion date

Have you emptied the attic and the old shed at the bottom of the garden? Have you got lots of strong boxes? If you’re using a removal firm, is it clear whether they are packing and unpacking and are they aware of the agreed times to vacate the premises?

9. On the big day

Make a note of meter readings and take a photo. Get children out of the way – or involved – whichever seems most appropriate. Leave spare keys and notes about appliances as necessary. Be good to your removal people and keep them well supplied with tea and snacks – don’t forget they are temporarily in charge of all your most precious things!

10. Take a moment

Give yourself a moment to say goodbye to the old place. Remember the good times or say goodbye to the bad. Shut the door and step forward to your new life with a sense of excitement.

*INTERESTING FACT: Moving home now costs nearly £9,500.

*Propertyfinder cited on the BBC website 26 March 2007