Selling and moving and all that - how did you time everything??

[DontLikeSurprises]

We're selling and hopefully will be exchanging around christmas. I know it's still early and that might get pushed to the next year. But I don't seem to get around with the idea of looking for new house (we'll be renting), applying for new school for DD and all that.
Where do I start? And when?
We can't really afford to rent while paying mortage, so moving before is unfortunately not the option.. And can't apply for school without new address..
How did you time everything?
Thanks!

[moomiemoo]

The best thing to do is ask fora decent amount if time betweenexchange and completion to allow you to sort all of this out.

Once you've exchanged you'll be able to sign a tenancy agreement which means you'll be able to apply for a school place.

It's a nightmare isn't it? Good luck!

[DontLikeSurprises]

Thanks moomiemoo! It IS nightmare, although very exited, been waiting for this move to happen for ages!!
What would be the reasonable gap to ask between exchange and completion? 2 weeks? More? Have no experience in this as you can guess

[moomiemoo]

It depends how many things are around to rent and if you have somewhere to go if you can't find something immediately.

When we were discussing rentals, we asked for a period of 4 weeks between ex and completion but then we have 5 people to accommodate and need a specific catchment area so knew we would need time to find the right property.

I'd be out looking for rentals as soon as you exchange but probably not before because there's no point in looking at something that you can't commit to anyway.

[DontLikeSurprises]

Thanks again! The area we're moving doesn't have many houses for rent, so trying to get longer period between exchange and completion makes sense. Will speak to EA and see what he thinks. The thing what makes me most nervous is finding the house at the right time. I so want to shop around already, even though it's only rentals