Steps to move house

[TeaChocKitKat]

We have decided that we want to sell our house and move. I've only ever bought a house as a first time buyer so I'm trying to work out the best order of doing things. I had a very initial chat with a mortgage adviser a couple of months ago so have a rough idea of figures. Ive had an informal chat with an estate agent about the value of our house and they are coming out to do a proper valuation later this week. At what point can we start looking at houses? We dont want to look like we are window shopping. I find the idea of being part of a chain really stressful and dont know what order to do things! Where do you start?!

I’ve sold and bought 3 homes in the last 10 years due to changes in circumstances and a 200mile relocation for work. Sadly despite a great place, we’re about to do it again after only a year in our present home as it’s the wrong location for DS secondary school options (if only we could pick up houses and take them with us). Just waiting for photos to be taken then we are ready to go.

The way the market is at the moment you have to be sold before you’ll be taken seriously for any offers you make. Though you might find something that’s been on the market a while so have a bit more time to get sold.

We’ve done viewings already though, as agents know how desirable our current home is and that we will get a quick sale. However I don’t think we’d stand a chance of securing somewhere without being sold as the few things that come to market are going quickly.

We absolutely must find our forever home this time and do not want to go into a rental (as we did that for our relocation) so I’ll be clear up front that it may take us some time.

Chains are inevitable sadly, unless you have a first time buyer and find somewhere chain free. This is where going with an agent pays dividends as they will help keep the chain moving rather than an online agent. Obviously you have to do a fair bit of chasing your solicitors and agents too.

Good luck

Forgot to mention mortgages. Some agents / sellers may want to see a mortgage in principle in place. We’re likely to be porting our mortgage to avoid early redemption fees, so you need to consider that on top.