6th December 2018
5 things to consider when buying property over Christmas
The Christmas period can be hectic enough without the added stress of moving home. With Christmas cards to write, presents to wrap and a house move at the same time – it’s enough to bring anyone into meltdown. With this in mind, we’ve put together our top five things that you can do well in advance of the move to enjoy your new home amongst all the festivities.
- Readiness of your Buyer
If you are planning on being in your new home before Christmas, you may want to assess the readiness of your buyer as well as the price they are offering. Those who are in a longer chain may be subject to delays as they wait for all parties to be in a position to exchange. If you are lucky enough to have a few offers on the table, those in a shorter chain may be more appealing than those offering a higher price if you want to be in your new home by Christmas.
- Mortgage Agreement
If you are looking for a mortgage to buy your property, we have a mortgage advisor in house who can help advise on the right package to suit your financial needs. On average, it takes around three weeks to apply for a mortgage (sometimes longer in the run up to Christmas), and it’s a good idea to have your mortgage agreed in principle before you start looking for a new home. Having a mortgage in place also puts you in a better position to make the right offer and shows your readiness to move.
- Moving close to Christmas
Removals companies can get booked up in advance at this busy time so be sure to agree a moving date with them as soon as you have exchanged. Bear in mind that most removal companies may not be working in between Christmas and New Year so try to avoid moving during 24th December and 2ndJanuary.
- Let there be light
The shorter days during this time of year can mean that you need to plan your move day so that you are not still unloading boxes from the removals van in the dark. Start the day as early as possible so that the bulk of the loading and unloading is done whilst it’s still light.
Speaking of light, ensure you have contacted your utility companies so that you can put up those Christmas lights and have your new home looking all festive.
- Christmas shop early
With so much to pack and organise when you move, it’s a good idea to get your Christmas shopping done well in advance. Have presents wrapped and packed into a box so you can easily locate them on Christmas Eve. If you are moving the week of Christmas, order your Christmas groceries online and have them delivered to your new house, doing so will considerably ease the stress of Christmas and allow you to get settled in your new home quickly.
To help make your house move over Christmas hassle-free, contact Matthews. With a team of lettings, sales and mortgage advisors in house to meet your needs, as well as recommended solicitors and removals companies that we work closely with, you can ensure a stress-free and happy Christmas.
