Anyone else going through the selling, buying, moving process on their own?

[Grasey]

I'm probably older than most mumsnetters; fit, active, financially independent and generally happy with my lot. In the process of selling the home I've lived in for decades.

Have some family support from adult DS but he has his own life and commitments. Essentially on my own with the decisions, the stresses and all the practical / emotional elements a sale, purchase and move will require.

If you've been in a similar situation what has helped you with the process of selling, buying, moving on your own?

I’ve done it a few times and will again in the next year or two. Nothing helped though, it’s stressful and hard work, sorry! Just have to knuckle down and get on with it. I do try to de clutter before my house goes on the market, just to make packing easier, which I don’t start until I have exchanged. Good luck!

For the actual move, get packers. The cost is completely worth it.

In your situation decluttering will be hard and you'll probably still end up with more than you need. So before the packers arrive, go through everything and label it with where you see it in your new house. If you can't immediately see where it's going to belong then label it temporary storage or the like. You can then move into the new house with the essentials and unpack the rest as you need it. If it turns out you haven't needed it in six months or so then it's already boxed up and waiting for disposal with no more decluttering stress

I'm on my own, sold recently and looking for somewhere to buy. My advice would be sell first, move your stuff into storage and then look for somewhere.

When I first started the process I was in a chain that fell through. The chain aspect was horrendously stressful but the fact it fell through in the end has sort of saved the day.

I'm renting now which isnt ideal but it does mean I can look around at my leisure. The funds are in the bank, the furniture is safe and I feel like I have much more control.

Good luck with it, its hard!

Paying someone to help. Last huge move - moving to a house half the size miles away, plus a six week delay between moving out and moving in, and a storage unit full of stuff too.
Do as well as booking packers, I got a decluttering expert in to help me sort everything before hand, and to help me unpack the other end. Worth. Their. Weight. In. Gold.
Getting a friend to do the above doesn't work - they aren't invested and are quite likely to give up and suggest going out to lunch halfway through.

Yes, I'm on my own since my mum died a couple of years ago. After dealing with that, I've been renovating the former family home and selling my current place for the past year or so. Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. It has been quite awful at times, due to fraudulent builders abandoning the project, and the house sale falling through twice. I've cleared / decluttered two properties in that time, and I don't drive, which adds an additional layer of challenge.

So dealing with all that alone comes with practical problems of course, but also problems in needing to deal with stress and try to remain resilient in order to move forwards. I'm lucky to have some good friends who have provided lifts to the tip, as well as someone to talk to during difficult times. I've also found it's important to take time to recharge, going for walks, listening to calming music and so on. Aside from that, my estate agent and solicitor have been really helpful and supportive. And whatever problem comes up, if you can't tackle it yourself, there's always someone you can pay to help you. Not to forget the property threads on MN of course. It's always so helpful to learn from others going through the same process. The 'All New Buyers / Sellers waiting room (continued)' thread is a great source of support. And make lots of lists!

I'd also say that there is very much a positive side to doing things on your own. I feel a great sense of pride and achievement in getting through all of it. Small victories mean a lot... clearing a room after a dozen trips to the charity shop, emptying the loft, organising finances, solving any kind of problem...

Regarding moving, I second the PP's recommendation to pay for a packing service. Some things you will want to box up yourself, but packing up a whole house (even a decluttered one) is a daunting task.

Best of luck @Grasey , you will get there!

Yes me. Also have a toddler. No family or friends who are able to help.

I'm not on the market yet because there's a few small building jobs that need to be completed.

I will be getting a bigger place which will help, so decluttering & unpacking won't be so urgent.

I will have to pay for a full packing/moving service and cleaners to clean my place on moving day (assuming I'm in a chain) because of the toddler - not realistic to think I may be able to do anything than look after them on the day, unless I can pay for a childminder for the day.

I'm not looking forward to it, but I absolutely need to move and just need to try and press on with it.

Thirding the recommendation to pay packers. Absolutely worth the money.

I am widowed. I moved house on my own 4 years ago. My AC helped me with physical things .... packing and unpacking .... but otherwise I just cracked on with it as I have done in the past.

Thanks so much for each of your messages. I've taken something from every one. Also feeling strangely pleased that I'm not the only one to do this on my own which is how it sometimes seems.

I'm quite minimalist so expect to be able to do a final declutter without too much difficulty.

Having packers sounds sensible. Issue for me is that I'd like to do my own packing and have the unpacking done or me at the other end. But I don't want, for instance, my kitchen items put into cupboards that may not be clean. Presume there's no time for cleaning on move in day? Or did you have them unpack into your own chest of drawers etc that you knew to be clean and left everything else? If someone could explain this to me it would be appreciated.

Yep. It's hard not having anyone to bounce ideas off.

Doesn't help that lve had to withdraw
my offer for the first two and am now renting a spare room. On Lucky Number 3 and its not what l would have picked but its a solid house in a good location and l got it for a bargain price.

I cleaned all of the kitchen cupboards and drawers before I put anything into them. We did live with boxes for a week and gradually unpacked. If we'd had the money I'd have paid for cleaners in the new house. And if I'd known how awful our buyers were going to be I'd not have cleared the house before we left.

Just want to offer some moral support. I had to move with my two teenagers two years ago into rented. Unfortunately my landlord decided to sell so we had to move again a year later. I'm now in the process of buying our own place and moving out of rented. It'll be my first mortgage and home all on my own (without a partner, I'll still have my children with me) I have support from my mum and sister but im ultimately doing it all on my own. Third move in as many years.
Buying has been very stressful even though it's been relatively straightforward. We have to be out of our rental at the end of next month and I'm dreading packing up. I can't afford the movers to pack for me so that's not an option. I just keep focusing on how good it will feel once we're moved in an have our own bricks and mortar.
Wishing you all the very best. You're absolutely not alone. This thread has also given me strength and it helps to know im not alone in doing it alone!

Me too
House is up for sale and I have already bought somewhere I am renovating
Am by myself (DH died) and having to make all the decisions by myself is exhausting!