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Original poster

To move before Christmas or not?

67 replies

RM2013 · 24/11/2022 21:05

Has anyone moved close to Christmas? Was it a complete nightmare? Any advice?

We are selling our family home of 19 years to FTB who are understandably keen to be in their first home for Christmas.

We are ready to complete on sale but not quite there with our onward purchase as a couple of enquiries still outstanding. Solicitor still saying completion before Christmas is possible if enquiries are answered.

Do I carry on waiting and hope that we can still move before Christmas and postpone planning Christmas until we know if we are moving or not? DH says he feels tempted to just say let’s all wait until the new year enjoy Christmas where we are and move afterwards.

with the stress of the whole process I haven’t been able to even think about Christmas.

I know it’s first world problems and all that but usually I am so organized so just wondered what peoples experiences were of moving house close to Christmas?

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Cleothecat75 · 02/12/2022 20:53

We moved on the 18th December. The date had fallen through for the week before and was pushed to the 18th. It was quite a long chain and everyone was really keen to move before Christmas (especially our buyers at the bottom who had to be out of their rental before Christmas).
dh and I were both off over Christmas, so really wanted to get moved, so we could settle and get everything sorted while we were off work for a week. I hosted extended family on Christmas Day and friends on New Year’s Eve- i love a challenge!

practically, I had all the presents bought, wrapped and stored at my parents. We were only moving a mile away and Tesco told me they would be able to change the delivery address for my Christmas shop -they couldn’t. I had to wait outside the old house to intercept it all. Luckily the driver was lovely and delivered it all to the new house anyway for me, but something to consider if you are ordering stuff.

Original poster
RM2013 · 03/12/2022 09:03

@helloimnew123 yes same thing with FTB buying our place and they are keen to move in. We haven’t been able to discuss dates yet because there is a delay with some paperwork needed for our purchase so we are pretty much ready to go on the sale but not our onward purchase.

I haven’t started packing although I’ve already done a lot of decluttering, taken some pics down etc and I didn’t put all my summer clothes into a suitcase as not needed but haven’t attempted anything more.

realistically now don’t think before Christmas is going to happen but I would feel a lot happier if we can at least exchange before Christmas and agree a new year completion date.

DH has loads of time off over Christmas and I have some time off (work in between Christmas and new year) so we can use the time to get things done

good luck

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Original poster
RM2013 · 03/12/2022 09:04

@Persipan oooh good luck did you exchange and sort a completion date?

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Original poster
RM2013 · 03/12/2022 09:06

@Cleothecat75 lots to think about and good point about the Christmas food shop. I haven’t even thought that far ahead yet but definitely one to think about!! Honestly think we will still be in this house anyway

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CaronPoivre · 03/12/2022 09:20

We moved on 23rd once. It was brilliant. We were lucky to have the house for a couple of months before we moved, so all the big jobs were done and my husband had beds made, food and little presents waiting. There was even a Christmas tree with presents under it.
We then went to the in laws on Christmas Day after Church in our new home city.
No time for children to be upset at leaving, no pressure to put on any Christmas entertaining, time to see new home before going off which then meant it felt like ‘coming home’ on Boxing Day. Neighbours all lovely and welcoming with drinks parties etc so we felt included straight away.

Downside was living on mattresses on floor for a week with very young children because the removal vans had already left so my husband and his friends could sort the house ready for us to arrive. Then a very long drive with young children who were a bit sad to be going forever from the place they knew as home and the oldest ones primary school. They only had school uniforms and one change of clothes plus one cuddly toy and PJs. No cooking or eating equipment so suppers with different friends each evening - which was a nice way to say goodbye but by end of week we just wanted to see my husband again and get settled.

SlurpSlooChortle · 03/12/2022 09:25

We moved on the 10th December but I wouldn't have wanted to leave it much later. If you're ready, go for it though!

BeauticianNotMagician81 · 03/12/2022 17:18

@RM2013 we are in the same predicament. Buyers want to be in for Christmas and we can't find a rental now. To top it off I've ordered the M&S Christmas food for collection on Christmas Eve near where we live now. We are moving 40 minutes away so not too bad but I'll have to do a trip I could do without on Christmas Eve.

Persipan · 03/12/2022 17:22

RM2013 · 03/12/2022 09:04

@Persipan oooh good luck did you exchange and sort a completion date?

Looks like we'll be exchanging on Monday, to complete the following Tuesday. Did a mad flurry of calls to removals companies today and managed to get one lined up, which was the main thing worrying me, so hopefully it'll all come together.

Original poster
RM2013 · 03/12/2022 18:07

@BeauticianNotMagician81 oooo hope it all works out and especially collecting the Christmas Eve food order!!

@Persipan good luck for your exchange and completion and good to hear you managed to get a removals company booked

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rrrrrreatt · 03/12/2022 23:44

We’re chain free and we were hoping to exchange and complete before Christmas but it’s looking pretty unlikely now. The house we’re buying needs a lot of renovation and we were hoping to get started while we have free time (we only have to work a few days during the festive period).

Our sale has been paused for over 4 months due to legal issues further up the chain. They told us it would be resolved 22 November but, like everything that comes from that solicitor, that was utter BS. Our mortgage expires on 11 January so we literally can’t afford to get to Christmas without at least exchanging, ready to complete the first full week of January.

Persipan · 06/12/2022 19:03

Eeek! Exchanged today, completing next Tuesday!

Original poster
RM2013 · 06/12/2022 20:19

@Persipan brillant news. Good luck with everything and how lovely to be in your new home for Christmas.

it’s looking less likely we will move before Christmas as we are still waiting for a form to be received by our solicitor from previous owner. Our vendor doesn’t want to move after 16th so doesn’t give us much time

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BeauticianNotMagician81 · 06/12/2022 21:14

@Persipan huge congratulations. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas in your new home and you even get a few days to sort things while your little ones in nursery. You pulled off some great timing.

So the rental market is shocking. Everything we call up to view has already gone. So it's unlikely we will complete before Christmas. Hoping the chain don't get annoyed.

ShakeABake · 07/12/2022 10:39

We moved on 18th December a few years ago, I actually loved it, despite wanted it to be January but the chain wanted before Christmas.

we had the Christmas period off so lots of time to sort things out but we didn’t host Christmas so that Helped! It was lovely moving to the new area with all the Christmas lights up too

CoffeeWithCheese · 07/12/2022 18:23

We're hoping to exchange before Christmas at the earliest - to complete early on in the new year (although in reality I'm expecting it to be more Jan/Feb). Wouldn't be pushing to move before Christmas now - I'd rather have the stable calm festivities (with working broadband and Sky telly) then knuckle down to prep for the move afterwards.

Original poster
RM2013 · 09/12/2022 20:57

Solicitor has asked we can complete on 21st Dec (their last day for completion before they break up for Christmas). Our sellers have said yes, our buyers would move on Christmas Day given half the chance 🤣 DH has said it’s going to be too stressful. Not for him I do all the packing, organising and sorting.
it may not happen but ahhhhhhh

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Persipan · 10/12/2022 04:44

That's.... both exciting and mildly terrifying! Whichever way it comes together, it sounds like you're really close now.

BeauticianNotMagician81 · 10/12/2022 09:29

We found a rental yesterday it's very small for 6 of us but there's a garage for storage and it's not for ever. So it looks like we could still be completing before Christmas, with a potential date of the 21st also. I'm very organised for Christmas Hmm I haven't done a thing really and it's my favourite time of year. Not a single decoration up Sad

Original poster
RM2013 · 10/12/2022 13:46

@Persipan i know utterly terrifying but either way it looks like it’s nearly there

@BeauticianNotMagician81 good news on the rental - exactly same as you I am usually so organized for Christmas but this year stress has got the better of me. We haven’t put tree up. I’ve bought quite a few gifts and going shopping tomorrow for remainder but I’ve not wrapped a thing. Better get cracking 🤣

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Original poster
RM2013 · 10/12/2022 13:47

We can’t seen to get a removal company for 21st- waiting on a couple of replies. We have started packing stuff away that’s not needed eg summer clothes and DH has been super motivated today and de cluttered all his cupboards and drawers

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good96 · 10/12/2022 17:50

Is it a definite that you will complete on the 21st? I wouldn’t book anything until it is.
Look at removal companies further afield - it may be more expensive but you may find something. Put a post on your local area facebook group - you may find someone there.
You’ll have competition that day as many want to be in their new homes before Christmas.

Persipan · 10/12/2022 18:01

When I was calling round last weekend I had several different removals companies tell me that they didn't have any availability and didn't think anyone else would either, which was rather discouraging, but then I hit upon one that did - they said they were really busy, too, but also that they were having cancellations come through as well as bookings. So, fingers crossed for you finding someone.

Bit behind on packing (I had a wisdom tooth out yesterday and then my friend who was babysitting today couldn't because of snow) but I've managed to do a tip run with the help of another friend, and after 36 hours of defrosting, I'm winning the fight against the glacier fused to the top of my freezer, so provided tomorrow's babysitter is a go then hopefully things'll be quasi-respectable by the time the packers come on Monday.

LoobyDop · 10/12/2022 18:54

Good luck, OP. We exchanged yesterday and are completing on Friday. We ummed and ahhed for a bit whether to wait until after Christmas, but decided in the end that we’ve been in limbo for months now and we just want to get on and get it done. I’m finding it terribly depressing not having any decorations, though. I love my Christmas trees. May well crack and get one once we’ve moved.

Original poster
RM2013 · 10/12/2022 21:03

No 21st isn’t definite but will explain that it’s subject to confirmation from solicitors. I have managed to find a company with availability just need to contact them for a quote

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Persipan · 12/12/2022 17:05

Well, hiring people to pack for you is bloody BRILLIANT! They've done an amazing job. Here's hoping tomorrow goes just as well...