Planning on moving home? It doesn't need to be stressful! Here's a simple breakdown of everything you'll need to consider along the way... 

Decide Your Budget

Your first step! It's important to know how much you can afford before you start looking at houses. There's nothing more disappointing than falling in love with a property, only to discover it's out of your price range.

Prepare Your Finances

At this stage it's a great idea to get a clear picture of all the costs involved in moving and where the money will be coming from. 

How much deposit will you have?

Will you be getting help from parents or grandparents?

Get a Mortgage in Principle

Now you're ready to start looking at mortgages. You know roughly how much you'd like to borrow and how much of a deposit you have.

Your best bet here is to speak with a mortgage broker to discover what type of mortgage will be best for your circumstances. They'll also be able to help you to get a 'Mortgage in Principle'. This isn't a guarantee of a mortgage, but will put you in a stronger position when it comes to finding your new home.

Research a Location

If you're planning on moving somewhere new you should definitely take some time to do your research. You'll want to check out things like local public transport, schools, green spaces and other amenities such as shops, gyms and restaurants.

Choose a Property

Ok, now for the fun part! Time to go house hunting...

Remember, stick to your budget (don't tease yourself with homes that are out of your price range!) and make sure you ​ask all the right questions​ so there are no nasty surprises after moving day...

Make an Offer

Once you've found your dream home you can make an offer to the Estate Agent. The Home Owners Alliance have some great advice on how to make sure you're not paying too much.

Arrange a Mortgage

Hurrah! Your offer has been accepted and now you're going to need that mortgage...

If you've already been working with a Mortgage Broker then this part should be easy-peasy. If not, then we recommend that you speak to one sooner rather than later.

This is a big decision and it's definitely best to speak to an expert before taking the leap.

Find a Property Solicitor

At this stage you'll need to engage a property solicitor to help you with the legal side of buying (and selling) a home. Your Estate Agent may suggest a firm, but it's important to do some research of your own to ensure that you find a company that you trust and feel comfortable with.

Arrange a Property Survey

Your mortgage company will arrange a valuation survey but it's a great idea to pay a little extra for a professional property survey. This will give you an in depth report on the structural condition of your new home - and highlight any issues before you buy.

Find a Removal Company

Things are getting exciting now! Time to think about the move itself.

You may choose to manage your own packing and moving - but it's worth considering paying the professionals to do it for you. It will save you a lot of stress and doesn't need to be too expensive. Make sure you speak with several companies first and get a few quotes before making a decision.

Arrange a Deposit

Time to pay your deposit. This will usually be at least 10% of the sale price. If you've followed the first couple of steps in this post then you should be all ready to go!

Exchange Contracts

Once your deposit is paid you'll be able to exchange contracts. Once you've signed your contract you'll be legally committed to purchase the property. If you pull out after this point then your deposit may become forfeit.

Arrange Completion Date

Nearly there! Once the paperwork is out of the way you can agree a completion date. This is the day on which the seller must have moved out by. It tends to be around 4 weeks after the contracts have been exchanged.

Pick up Your Keys!

You've done it! You've successfully bought your new home and now it's time to pick up your keys and pour yourself a celebratory glass of bubbly...