To move or not to move? Why now could be a good time
There’s no doubt that moving home is a costly business, and with the uncertainty surrounding the direction of the UK’s economy at the moment, it seems some people are choosing to stay put.
Surprisingly, in a recent survey by the Homeowners Alliance, just 11% of homeowners who had considered a move, had chosen not to, based on their concerns over Brexit.
It’s understandable that everyone is feeling the uncertainty right now- as predicting what will happen becomes impossible, but these figures show that very few people are putting off making these sorts of life-changing decisions at this moment in time.
This is probably because deciding whether, or not, moving home is a good idea goes beyond the financial implications- there is a bigger picture. So, we thought we would explore some of these considerations here.
Family
If you have a family, or are planning one, your changing needs will have an impact on any home-buying decision.
Putting aside whether the new house is a good financial investment, it also needs to work for you and your family: from considering the local schools, to the number of bedrooms and available parking.
Budget, of course, usually dictates the size and attributes of a property, but what about your growing family? Think about how you will accommodate these needs and try to plan long-term, as much as your budget will allow.
Facilities
The infrastructure around us can have a huge impact on our everyday lives.
Think about the types of facilities that you use regularly, or those that are important to you right now. For example, if public transport is important to you, or if you need to change your GP, or be closer to the hospital, other locations may just be more suitable.
Aside from making your life easier, a better location will have a positive effect on your finances, alone.
Worklife
We all know that daily commutes can take it’s toll on us. The locations of where you and your family have to get to each day must be taken into account to ensure good quality of life. Some would argue that there is little point moving to a big house 10 miles away, if your children could walk to school from a nearer home.
Development opportunities
If you are someone who likes to take on a big project, or you are seeking a good financial investment, then a restoration project might be perfect for you. Properties in need of significant improvement can still be purchased at a bargain price, so now might be the time for you to either get onto the property ladder, or to seek out that investment return!
Help to Buy schemes
For those who are struggling to raise a deposit in order to get their foot onto the property ladder, the government has created Help to Buy schemes including Shared Ownership and Equity Loans. There is also an ISA available, where you can access a government bonus, to help you with your savings. For more information, you can visit the Gov.uk website.
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether moving home is the right thing for you to do right now. Some of these will be financial, but there are others that will have a huge impact on your emotional well-being, happiness and the development of both you and your family.
If you do decide to move, our award-winning Leighton Buzzard Conveyancing solicitors at Osborne Morris & Morgan are an award-winning team, on hand to help you at every step of the way. We offer fixed fee Conveyancing.
To receive an instant and FREE quotation on your Conveyancing, simply visit our website. Our team will be very happy to speak with you, please feel free to call us on 01525 378177. We look forward to hearing from you.
