Dream Believers

Tag: moving

  • Property viewing tips

    Whether you are looking to buy or rent, the property viewing stage is crucial. So, to make sure you make the right decision and say yes to a property that will work for you, here are some tips from me:

    Where to start

    The main way you’ll be searching for properties will probably be through online sites including Zoopla, Rightmove and Prime Location. Or you may receive recommendations from estate agents you connect with. Either way, take the images ‘with a pinch of salt’, more as a guideline of what you will truly see.

    Often photos make the property look bigger/smaller. They may not be up to date images, many will keep using images that were taken for a previous advert. Viewing a property is the only way to get really clear about it in your mind. However, this can be a very long process. Stay strong. If there are certain features on your ‘must have’ list or locations you want to stick to, make sure you are not wasting your own time by viewing properties outside of these. When it’s been a while since your search started, it can be disheartening that you’ve not found a great place yet but stick it out, the right place is waiting for you.

    Preparing for a property viewing

    When you’ve found somewhere in the right area, has all you’re looking for and you set up a viewing, the next stage is research. Look at the immediate area, do a Google Earth search. Check how close the property is to the shops and services you want close by. Is there a rating online? Is it easy to get to? Work out how you will get to the viewing and back. Research into your potential commute to work/school. Find out more about the specific area and what it has to offer.

    The day of the property viewing

    Firstly, I recommend taking someone else with you, even if you’ll be living on your own in the property, having additional pairs of eyes looking at the property can be very useful.

    Try to get there a little early so you can scout the area out in person and get more of a feel for the place.

    Don’t rush, so many people just whizz around the property and are done in record-breaking time. Take it seriously. Check everything, look at everything. Are there any problems you foresee or things already not quite right? Also:

    • Check the walls for damp/mould
    • Check the water pressure
    • Is it a gas or electric oven/hob?
    • How is the property heated?
    • Parking
    • Storage
    • Number of plug sockets
    • Amount of wall space
    • Will your belonging fit through the door frames? Up the stairwells?
    • Check the seals around taps, baths, showers, sinks and piping
    • Are their gaps around the windows?
    • Are the windows single or double glazed?
    • Is there much noise coming from neighbours? Traffic outside?
    • TV/internet connection points
    • Does it still have your ‘must have’ features?

    What to ask the estate agents

    • (If leasehold/renting) Who manages the property?
    • (If renting) What is the landlord/lady like?
    • Insight into the area, nearby services, neighbours if they have sold multiple properties in the area

    Small print

    • Leasehold vs freehold
    • Are you allowed pets?
    • Hidden charges
    • Ground rent
    • Service charges
    • Parking permits

    Ultimately, there will always be something in the small print of a contract. Just make sure it’s something you are aware of, looking out for, and that it won’t come back to haunt you later down the line.

    When you find the place, then the real hard work starts… Good luck.

    I hope you are taking steps each day to create your dream life and believing in its existence.

  • Change of Address list

    Change of Address list

    When moving house there is what seems like an endless to-do list. Having to sort out a change of address on EVERYTHING always seems like quite the daunting task too. Well, I am here to hopefully help you with that.

    For tips on the move itself, check out this post too.

    Bills

    One of the first most obvious sections of the change of address list – the bills. Cancelling at the old address and setting up new providers, or updating address details on a company database. Here is my list for bills:

    • Council tax
    • Energy and water companies
    • Internet and landline phone provider (you may also need to get a change of landline number depending on how far you move and if you will be using your landline)
    • Mobile phone provider

    Employment/Education

    No matter your employment status there will be someone you will need to notify. Whether you are in paid employment and need to tell management, have a volunteer work placement and need to inform the organisation and/or team leads or you are out of work and need to complete a change of address for your benefits to continue or just need to update the information on your CV.

    Also don’t forget to update your address with universities, colleges, nurseries etc if this is relevant to anyone in your household.

    Health

    Keeping up to date with your health is so important. To help with this, make sure you have up to date records and register at:

    • GP
    • Optician
    • Dentist

    You should also check out hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, gyms, pubs, restaurants, cafes and social groups too. We have to make sure we have everything we need to keep on top of our physical and mental health.

    Vehicle change of address

    This is the section that took me the longest time, it seems that you have to do each thing separately through the DVLA rather than being able to change it all at once. I only have one car at the moment so am unsure if other forms would need to be completed for additional vehicles, bikes, vans etc but for my car I had to change address on my:

    • Drivers licence
    • Car insurance
    • Car tax and direct debit payments
    • V5C
    • Research local mechanics/garages

    Shopping

    It’s a good idea to keep on top of address changes with loyalty cards and shopping sites too e.g Nectar, Tesco, Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, Paypal.

    Other change of address (often forgotten)

    • Banks / Building Society
    • Credit cards
    • Loan or debt repayment organisations
    • Newspaper/Magazine or other postal subscriptions
    • Pensions
    • HMRC
    • Voting registration
    • and of course, your friends and family.

    Have I reminded you of something you had forgotten to add to your own list? Are there any I have missed on this list?

    I hope this helps, and that you are one step further to achieving a life of your dreams.

  • My Moving Checklist

    My Moving Checklist

    Moving somewhere new is exciting but is also usually stressful. Especially if you are unprepared or have not moved much before. As someone who has had 16 addresses in the last decade, I have a few tips to share. Here is my moving checklist;

    What you’ll need

    • Boxes, lots and lots of boxes
    • Bubble wrap
    • Sharpie pens
    • Parcel tape/duct tape (something strong to make sure the boxes don’t come apart in transit)
    • Labels – to put on your cables and chargers
    • ‘Quick access box’ – things you’ll need as soon as you get to the new place. I always try to keep cleaning equipment, toilet roll, soap and a hand towel accessible on moving day. I also add teabags, coffee, sugar, milk and the kettle into this box. Might be an idea to also keep out your wash bag and a towel handy too. Feeling clean always helps me to relax after a long day.

    As soon as possible

    • Set the date/s of the move
    • Make your own moving checklist including specific jobs you need to do
    • Work out how long it will take to transfer your belongings from one place to another and allow yourself plenty of time. If it’s something you will stress over make sure you clear your schedule. Take time off work, maybe even take an extra day so you can unpack without so many time restraints too.
    • Get help. Hire a removal team or a van and drive it yourself. Ask friends/family if they can help. I have often had several helpers when the offer of payment in food is introduced.
    • Research service providers
    • Start setting up energy bills, internet and other utilities before you move. Cancel current bills or change address if staying with your current providers.
    • Organise internet and phone line in your new home, set up may take longer than you think

    Got pets or young children?

    It may be wise to hire a babysitter or ask friends/family if they could look after your animals and children for the day so that you don’t have to mindful of them getting under your feet or injured by moving boxes and things. Moving day is often chaos, you don’t want guilt mingled in with that too because someone has been hurt. Get someone to take them to a park for a few hours, let them play and get rid of some of their energy while you’re doing all the hard work then hopefully you’ll all get a great first night sleep in your new home (fingers crossed).

    Got too much stuff?

    Either moving somewhere smaller or moving into student accommodation? Research and organise a storage facility for the things you won’t need regular access to. There are all sorts of storage options and types of store rooms so make sure you find the best storage for you and within your budget.

    If it’s items you no longer want or need you could also try selling the items online before your move, there are lots of online selling sites such as Ebay, Gumtree, Facebook marketplace, or you could give items away to charity shops or on freecyle and similar sites.

    Moving checklist for packing

    • The more organised the packing is, the easier the unpacking will be
    • If possible pack per room. Colour coding can be helpful too, assign each room and/or person a different colour
    • Label boxes as you go
    • Label cables as you unplug them, group cables together if they’re for the same thing
    • Bubble wrap fragile items and mark the boxes so they are given extra care
    • Keep in mind the weight of items as you pack them, don’t overfill and end up not being able to carry them

    Moving checklist – The Day

    • Wear comfy, breathable clothes (and plenty of deodorant) it’s going to be a long day…
    • Cleaning! Clean cupboards, sideboards, skirting boards, glass, toilets, showers/baths, tiles, ovens and hobs, floors, walls, everything – not necessarily in that order. In the house you move out of this is also a good way of checking no items have been missed. Luckily you can do most of the cleaning in the place you are moving out of before today but cleaning the new house will be a lot easier before all your belongings have been piled into it.
    • Meter readings – take photos of them for both properties
    • Take regular breaks and stay hydrated!!! Whether you are using a professional moving team, have the help of your nearest and dearest or going solo, snack breaks are always a good way to break up the day. It gives you a chance to step back and have a breather.
    • Unload items into the new place, doesn’t have to be perfect at this point, just somewhere that’s not blocking your other daily tasks and people won’t trip over it

    Final items of the moving checklist

    Finish setting up your utility bills in your new home, update/cancel standing orders and direct debits, give meter readings and if renting check through inventory, making note of any damage before you started moving in your items.

    RELAX!

    After a whole day of transporting your things, cleaning everything and feeling exhausted (no matter how many breaks you’ve had), the last thing I would want to think about is having to cook, especially if I’m hosting people who have helped out as well so:

    1. Order your favourite takeaway
    2. Get comfy on the sofa (or floor if you haven’t got your seating yet)
    3. Put on a film and crack open a bottle of your favourite tipple
    4. Enjoy your afternoon/evening – you don’t have to unpack everything on the first day

    Why not plan out possible ideas while stuffing your face? Think about decorations, painting etc I love getting creative and thinking of new ideas on how to make a place feel like home.

    After the move

    • After planning ideas, do it! Decorate, make this place yours; put up curtains, posters, canvases, pictures, shelving, fairy lights, put out beds, sofas, tables, chairs, ornaments, flowers, incense sticks and candles.
    • Unpack, but you don’t have to rush it. One of my favourite bits of moving is finding places to put everything, reordering things and doing it differently to the last house.
    • Food shop. I always try to eat most of the food I have in the old house before I move and then do a ‘proper’ food shop for the new house once I’ve arrived, you might have more or less fridge/freezer/cupboard space to play with and its also an excuse to eat all the treats that have snuck into my home.
    • Thought of something you want in the house but don’t have? Go shopping! Ikea, Amazon, Home Bargains, Argos, Primark, Next, Debenhams… Retail therapy is always a good idea, and this time you actually have a reason!
    • Start/continue your address changes, there are so many things that I have made a post all about it, hopefully it helps you to not miss anything.
    • Let friends and family know your new address. It’s also a good excuse to send out change of address cards when you use them as invites to a house warming as well. When you feel a bit more settled a house warming is always a great way to start life in a new home 🙂

    The most important thing though, is to enjoy your new home no matter how temporary. Make it a place of happiness and make lots of amazing new memories.

    Are you moving house or recently moved? How did it go? Any tips/tricks you like to use that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments.