After what was considered a fairly healthy property market, things have changed a lot in the UK. Mortgage rates continue to be high, and while property prices are beginning to fall, they’re still relatively high – pricing a lot of buyers out of the market.
And once you’ve gone through all of that and managed to sign on the dotted line, there are your moving costs to factor in. It costs almost £12,000 to move in the UK, adding further financial pressures over what is already an expensive transaction. Added to the usual stress that comes with moving – you could find yourself feeling very overwhelmed by your move.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can bring down your moving costs and ease some of the pressure too. Here are some tips to save money and stress when moving into a new home.
Establish all of your costs upfront, and overbudget for them
Moving home can come with a lot of hidden or unexpected costs, but if you get ahead of them – they won’t end up being a surprise. Create a budget that takes into account the most significant expenses when moving home, and then start thinking about all the extra costs you might face. It’s a good idea to talk to friends and family to get their opinions and cover some of the things you haven’t thought of.
Rope in friends and family to help
Moving home is one of those occasions where friends and family can really help ease some of the pressure. From moving day itself to helping you with the unpacking and initial decorating, roping in friends and family could save you a lot of money on your move. You may need to offer a lot of favours in return, but it could be worth it compared to forking out for professionals to tackle every task inside your new home.
Declutter before you move
If you have less stuff, you’ll find it much easier and less stressful to move. Not only that, but you’ll save money too. Fewer things mean less to pack, fewer boxes to buy and a smaller removal van to hire. Decluttering before you move is easier than you think, and can save you a lot of time and stress in the long run.
Save your money for the things that are worth it
When moving house, it’s a good idea to save your money for the things that are worth it, instead of feeling the pressure to spend on all kinds of things. What will help ease some of your stress? If hiring a removals firm like Britannia Beckwith Removals will help ease some of the stress, then it’s a cost worth paying to make moving easier. You may feel the same about hiring professional cleaners to tackle your old home, while choosing to clean your new home from top to bottom before you move in.
Look at more affordable furniture options
There’s always pressure to ‘finish’ a new home when you move in. But furniture can be very expensive, and could leave you with little money left or a tonne of debt after you get your keys. It’s important to realise that these things take time – Rome wasn’t built in a day after all! Be patient and furnish your home gradually – there are a lot of sneaky ways to save money when furnishing your home that can help you get off to a great start.
Learn to accept that things take time
The internet can feel like a very misleading place when it comes to interiors. TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram are the biggest offenders. Many people sugar coat the reality of decorating a new home, making it feel like drastic transformations happen overnight, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and inadequate with your own home. Rest assured, unless these people had huge budgets, it’s taken them a long time to get their homes looking the way they do. By accepting that things take time to complete, you can save yourself some money and ease a lot of the pressure so that you can focus on enjoying the process and appreciate the results that much more.
Despite the challenges of moving home, there are some ways you can save money and stress to make things much easier. Know what you’re up against and be realistic with your budget and expectations to make moving a much more enjoyable experience.
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