The Agent of the North

Even if you've discovered your dream home in the ideal location, the process may be stressful, especially if you're relocating with children. 

Whether it's for a new career opportunity, to be closer to family, or to make a necessary lifestyle adjustment, uprooting your life may make sense to you. Your children, on the other hand, may not be as understanding, as everything they know and are used to is about to change. You can use a few tricks to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. 

As soon as possible, inform your children 

According to some parenting experts, you should tell your children as soon as possible. It may be difficult to remain a secret for long, as you will almost certainly have possible buyers coming in and out of your home, and your children will notice something is different. You don't want to keep anything from them because it will just add to your stress level, so inform them as soon as possible to make them feel included. Include them and make it more exciting by allowing them to help choose the new house and plan what they want to take with them if they're up for it.

Allow them to be emotional 

It may be difficult to watch, but when your children scream or throw tantrums, remember that this is a normal reaction and that you should allow them to be upset. Their entire lives are changing, and the relocation may be separating them from friends, cherished family members such as grandparents, or a childminder they've known since childhood. Instead of becoming furious, try to understand why they aren't accepting the changes immediately. Each child is unique and adjusts to change at their own rate, but it often takes six months for children to adjust to their new life in a new place. 

Talk about what will remain the same 

The stress of so much change might be difficult for your children. Rather than focusing on what will be changing, remind them of what will remain the same. Their bedrooms may differ, but their possessions will be identical. Even if their schools are different, all of their after-school activities will remain the same. It may be difficult for them to focus on the similarities, so try your best to remind them as much as possible. 

Stick to old routines 

Just because you've moved to a new location doesn't mean you should abandon your old habits. Remember that you need to keep certain pieces of your previous life constant for your children to adjust, and keeping at-home routines running is a terrific way to do so. If kids have certain after-school rituals, try to stick to them as closely as possible, even if some things change. 

Prepare everyone 

Don't be caught off guard when it comes to moving day! Starting the moving process as soon as possible will help you avoid a last-minute rush to pack and clean. It's a good idea to prepare an overnight bag for everyone for both the last night in your old home and the first night in your new one, so you don't have to unpack right away after a long day. 

Allow your children to express themselves 

Allowing your children to participate in the entire moving and packing process will provide them with a sense of stability and control over the changes in their surroundings. Ask about their thoughts on topics such as what to pack and how to decorate their new rooms! 

Contact our friendly team for useful guidance on all areas of moving home, and we will be happy to assist. 

When it comes to selling your home, there is nothing you want more than for your buyers to love your home as much as you always have. Preparing your home can feel like a time-consuming and potentially daunting task. However, this is the very start of your property journey, and before you know it, you could be well on your way to your next home.

Recent research into what buyers are specifically looking for may give you an insight into how you can best prepare your home.

Leisure spaces are a big requirement

The report found that a home gym was one of the most asked for renovation trends, and with the arrival of summer, it is no surprise that buyers are also keen to find properties with outdoor kitchens and al fresco entertaining areas.

Going green with paint

That phrase may have you thinking about eco-friendly improvements. But, we’re talking about paint! Although it is often said that neutral walls are the best way forward, research suggests that adding a pop of colour by repainting the kitchen, or adding a green feature wall, could give your room a whole new lease of life.

Flooring is more important than you think

This one may not be the first thing you think of when improving your property. However, it seems that there are a range of styling options that are ticking buyers’ boxes. Interestingly, solid wood, herringbone flooring, or earthy flagstones are all popular choices for buyers.

Whether your home ticks all the above boxes and you are considering selling. Or, if you are simply curious to know how much your home could be worth, why not book your valuation with one of our professionals today?

If you are thinking about renting your first home, there are a few things to consider before you even begin your property search.

Getting started

Before you start looking for your perfect place, think about how long you would like to commit to living in a new home. A rental agreement is legally binding, so it is important to decide from the outset whether you are looking for a short-term let or somewhere you can stay for a longer period.

Work out how much you can afford. You will need to have enough money to pay your first month’s rent upfront in addition to a deposit, which will usually be equivalent to five or six weeks’ rent.

Decide on your must-haves. How much space do you need? Do you need a garden? How about parking or garage space? Which location do you need to be in and how far outside that area are you willing to go? Do you have a pet who will be moving with you?

Consider when you would like to move in. A landlord will want to minimise the amount of time their property is vacant, so it can be helpful to shortlist properties which are available as close as possible to your preferred moving date.

Preparing the paperwork

It is a good idea to get all your paperwork in order before you start viewing potential properties. Demand for good rental properties can be high, and having everything ready to go will help you stand out from the competition.

You will need to be able to prove who you are, with a passport, driving licence, national identity card, immigration status document or similar. You will also need to prove where you live and how much you earn. The landlord or agent will need to be confident you can afford the rent and that you have a steady income. If you are employed, your contract and three most recent payslips will usually suffice. If you are self-employed, you may need to show a previous tax return or bank statements going back several months.

Looking for your new home

It is important to register with local agents. Some properties are so popular they never make it to an online listing.

Questions to ask when you have found a place.

The first question to ask is what type of tenancy agreement you will be asked to sign and for how long the agreement will be valid. The landlord must allow you to stay in the property for a minimum of six months, and most tenancies will be for a fixed term of either six or twelve months.

Next, ask about the deposit. If the total annual rent will be less than £50,000, the maximum deposit allowed is five weeks’ rent. If the annual rent is £50,000 or above, the maximum amount a deposit can be will be six weeks’ rent. The deposit must be refundable at the end of the tenancy, assuming you keep the property in good condition and pay your rent promptly each month.

Talk to the landlord or agent about who is responsible for paying utility bills such as gas, electricity, water and council tax. When you move in, it can also be helpful to know which companies are currently supplying the property.

Confirm which furniture, fixtures and fittings will be left in the property and finally, check for rules about things like smoking, pets, places to keep bikes, bins and recycling.

Moving in

If you will need a removal service to move furniture and other belongings, it is sensible to get that booked in the diary as soon as you confirm the moving date. You should also arrange home contents insurance, along with tenants’ insurance to protect you and your belongings from the day you move in.

The keys to your new home will usually be available on the day your tenancy starts. If the landlord or agent has supplied an inventory, check all the details as soon as you can. Put in writing what state the property is in on the day you move, listing each room and taking photos too.

Make sure you know how to operate the boiler and other appliances and ask where the stopcock, fuse box and any meters are located.

Are you ready to rent? Browse our available properties here and do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss your requirements.