Moving after 30 years in my house

[Mxflamingnoravera]

After 30 years in my lovely Victorian terrace I've decided to downsize to a two bed new build flat.
I've had back surgery which was not entirely successful and other aches and pains which makes my house too much for me.
I'm 15 years divorced and my son left home 10 years ago, it's time for a new family to love this house and garden.
....
But I'm lost, heartbroken, excited, don't know quite how to get the house sale ready. Can't clean because of my back, and can't garden for the same reason.

I've got a blitzer coming for the garden on Wednesday, and a decorator to paint over old water stains on my ceiling.

But how do I go from all this to an apartment? My son's room is pretty much the way it was when he left for university. His childhood books and toys are still here. I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of my decision.

I've seen an agent, I know what the house is worth. That's not the problem, it's the 30 years of STUFF that feels so overwhelming. Where do I start? Help!

The buyers now have to get a new mortgage offer, so, no, not exchanged yet. It's looking like exchange the end of next week, move the week after. More time for faffing, but I'm not engaging with any more shenanigans now the price is finally agreed.

What do people do about cleaning on moving day? How is there time?

And who do I ask about (I know stupid question at this point. But, how do I access the underground car park at my new place? I've seen the car park via the lift (ie inside the building) but no idea where the car entrance is.

Re cleaning on moving day, I've always just done my best to leave it tidy - gone round each room with a hoover as the packers move on to the next room. Yes I have employed the full packing service and it's well worth the extra money in my opinion as they pack everything up for you including dismantling beds etc. You don't have to do much at all on the day of removals but it's a good opportunity to do a big declutter before removals say or you take all your clutter with you!

Ask Your EA to ask the sellers how do you access the underground car park. It's not a silly question at all.

Re the cleaning, I've always given my house a good clean in the days leading up to completion. So as I packed I would for example clean kitchen cupboards, top of the wall cupboards, sides, doors and inside, give the oven a good clean (if leaving). Clean windows inside if needed. Vacuum as I packed up each room paying close attention to the edge of carpets skirting boards, wipe down doors if looking grubby. Then on the actual moving day I go round after the movers have emptied each room and do a quick hoover and quick mop of floors once they have finished completely.

I would add this is what I've done in the past, but next time I will probably pay a cleaning company to just do it for me. Unless my buyers muck me about a lot, in which case I won't bother. ☺️

I am not doing my own packing, I can't, my back won't let me. That's why I'm moving. So I can't clean as I go, nor as the packers go, because I can't really clean either. I thought people got cleaners in to do "end of tenancy cleans". Yet another thing I didn't know about moving.

I'll have to get cleaners in the day before the packers come I suppose.

I wouldn't fret too much. As long as things are reasonably clean (not perfect) and everything is in working order, that should be fine. I don't know anyone who has hired professional cleaners when moving. Maybe leave a card and a bottle of wine to welcome them, depending on how you feel about your buyers.

People get cleaners in to do end of tenancy cleans when the property is a rental. Not normally with the house you own though I'm sure some people do it (up to you).

The last house I sold we left it spick and span - the hoover was the last thing to be packed!
Looking back it was unnecessary (the house was cleaner the day we left than ever before!)

I am due to move next week - like you I have a feeling my buyers are going to ask for a reduction (they spotted a stain on a ceiling and even though their surveyor said it was nothing they keep asking about it!) and I have just booked a gas safety cert / electric cert (even though I don't need to!)

Oh that's good to know. I'm not getting cleaners then and no bottles of wine either. I'm not feeling warm towards them, they've cost me four yeas of management fees on my new flat.

How on earth have they managed to cost you four years of management fees on your new flat???

My movers had a cleaning team as well, I don’t know if it was part of their company or one they worked with.
it meant that I could walk out knowing the house would be in reasonable condition.
Car park in new place, is there a concierge.?
our appartments have a tour once a week to talk about ammenities and show what is where and how to access.

Wouldn't bother doing a mad clean then at the end. Just make sure it's reasonably tidy and walk away.

You don't have to ever speak to them or see them again.

I wouldn't leave them wine after what they've cost you! I wouldn't clean either. I would if they'd been good buyers but they've given you grief so no, let them clean.

Don’t spend money on cleaning OP. They’ve messed you about and whether it’s clean or not won’t affect the outcome. Let them do it.

Our removal company sent the packers in the day before so most stuff was in boxes before moving day. They load all the boxes into the lorry and then the furniture so at the other end, the large stuff and things that need assembly like wardrobes and beds get done first, then they unload the boxes.
If you've paid for an unpacking service beware that some will literally do just that and just put it on the floor and walk out the door with the packaging so do ask how they plan to do it.
Even if they are unpacking and putting away the speed at which they will work is phenomenal so if you can rope in any sensible friends for moving day that will help.
They often use lovely wardrobe boxes, huge things. So your stuff comes out of your wardrobe on hangers and just goes straight back in at the other end. They are usually keen to take the boxes back so you won't be left with them.

If they are not unboxing for you then again, you need some help with a bad back and I would put your foot down so that you can label boxes as they go. Provide biscuits, coffee and tea bags and the constant tea breaks will give you a second to jump in and label. Again, speed is bonkers so having someone helping you is a godsend. They will usually come and take the boxes back when you've had time to unpack and recycle them for another customer.

Either way, you will want a day 1/2 bag for yourself. Essential clothes, bottle opener, water bottle, some bin bags. Biscuits, lots of those. And get a number for a good local takeaway.

I've moved into spotless places and utterly manky foul places. I leave our homes in the state I'd like to find them in. Contract end of tenancy type cleaners are in my experience not good value for money. If you've run the hoover around, the bathroom is clean and the oven in a decent state, it's more than many will bother with and I totally get the loss of goodwill. People reap what they sow.

Goodwill is low, but if not leave the place like was when I moved in. I'll try to at least make sure floors and surfaces are clean. Windows were cleaned by the window cleaner this week so that's done (or will be again in the two to three weeks before I move).

I still can't quite believe it's happening! I'm going to feel like I'm on holiday for a while I think.

I wish I could share pics but you know, outing myself is not a great idea. But it's a fab place, spacious, my own parking space, wonderfully decorated, hot and cold running water (!) 😁
I want to be there now.

It's getting closer... fingers crossed we will exchange this week.

I have everything crossed for you! This move sounds like exactly what you need and I'm so happy it's finally happening and you can move into somewhere that suits where you're at now.

Fingers crossed for you.
We moved yesterday. Downsized from a large 4 bed town house to a 3 bed semi.

Immediately realised our sideboard, coffee table and TV unit are all too big. Put them all on Facebook today.

Our kitchen is lacking in storage so that's a pain but we're getting there.

I donated and threw away so much stuff and I've already been to the charity shop this afternoon with 3 boxes. It's exciting but exhausting

Good luck & keep us posted.

Honestly don’t bother cleaning , just leave it tidy. They don’t deserve it. Or the windows done.

🤞

Sorry, clicked too soon, fingers crossed and good luck

My solicitor said exchange on Friday complete next Friday. So I booked removals. Then the estate agent told me the buyers have not yet got their new mortgage offer. My vendor is going to be livid. I'm exhausted. I cannot take much more of this.

When do I notify broadband, gas and electricity etc? I don't know my move date yet so I've not done it yet but do they need notice?

Just read your meters on the day you move out and notify them.

You'll need to contact your broadband provider and arrange an appointment for them to set things up at your new place. They will check what they need to do (whether fibre is available and so on) and liaise with Openreach as required. You can always cancel the appointment or postpone it if the dates slip. It's quite close to your proposed moving date so there may be a delay, but if so you can use your mobile phone as a tethering hotspot for internet access.