We don’t need to tell you that it’s stressful – there are plenty of reports that prove this to be one of the most cortisol-driving effects of your life.
Unfortunately, in icing on the cake-like fashion, moving to a new house can also be extremely expensive.
No, we’re not talking about that monumental purchase price, which will unquestionably be the most expensive item that you ever buy. Instead, we’re referring to all of the hidden costs, which sneak up as a nasty surprise on so many occasions.
Some of these costs cannot be avoided and like it or not, they are here to stay. Others can be, and this is what today’s post is going to focus on.
First and foremost – get the most out of your sale
Before we dive into the finer details on how to slash costs, let’s talk about how you should be making the most out of your existing sale.
Far too many sellers leave money on the table in this regard, with some of the following examples being particularly common:
- They don’t stage. Check out this Avas Flowers page for more information on staging with flowers. As Avas Flowers show, simply decorating your rooms with small details can make the world of difference. There are some further ideas on this Avas Flowers page, although in truth the examples can stretch to a whole host of other items which we would advise you to research as well.
- They don’t research. Some real estate agents are notorious for pricing properties highly, and the same can work the other way. Make sure you get several valuations, and do your own research, to ensure you are getting a fair price for your home.
- They don’t negotiate. This doesn’t have to be with potential buyers, but it can be with everyone ranging from the real estate agent and the fee they are going to charge, right the way to the structural surveyor who is putting together a report for the property.
Plan your way out of trouble and avoid last minute changes
As the old saying goes, fail to plan, plan to fail.
Nowadays, there’s no excuses for not having a roadmap for your house move. There are umpteen moving checklists on the internet and the key is to be prepared.
For example, let’s talk about mail redirection. This is something that is commonly forgotten about but it’s also something which is very easy to prepare for. You can draw up a list of contacts and update your address when the time comes.
In reality, if you’re not expecting this, you’ll rush into a costly redirection service the day after you have moved home. These are the smaller types of costs that add up, and you act on impulse. Instead, plan your way out of trouble to avoid such eventualities.
There is a time and place for DIY
We’re huge fans of DIY when it comes to moving house, and this can sometimes relate to selling and marketing your property yourself without the assistance of a real estate agent.
However, there is a time and a place. For example, let’s look at the moving process. If you have a team of friends, hiring a van for the day will make obvious financial sense. If, on the other hand, you are doing most of the legwork yourself, you’re going to need a lot more than a day to move a typical home’s worth of belongings. Ultimately, hire costs go up, while your own time has a value as well.
There are all sorts of similar examples to above, but our advice is to pick and choose your battles wisely. Don’t bite off more than you can chew as it will cost you more in the long run.
