If you have been living in the same pad for the past decade or more, you might be tempted to move. Perhaps you want to move closer to family, maybe your partner has a new job and you want to shorten the commute, or perhaps you just fancy a change. If your brood is growing and you’re lacking space, being in a cramped dwelling can be frustrating. There are many reasons why you might want to put your house up for sale and move on to pastures new. At the same time, moving home is expensive. There’s the solicitor’s fees to think about, the mortgage application fee and the survey to find money for, not to mention the estate agent commission. Sometimes it makes more sense to stay put. However, this doesn’t just mean staying put in the exact same pad – it means not moving but renovating what you have to make it more fit for purpose. Take a look at whether or not you should take the plunge and move house.
To Move…
If you have always had your eye on a new location or a bigger property, you will want to move. All you need to think about is the timing of your move. With the uncertain times of Brexit ahead, many people are choosing to stay put. This could work in your favour if you are adamant on moving. By listing your home in this economic climate, you may sell for a lower price, but you can also buy for a lower price.
Finding a larger home that you will end up staying in for the rest of your days means it doesn’t matter so much if you lose a bit of cash on your current pad. You will make this up well before you pay off the mortgage on your dream home.
Consider the sort of pad that you want to buy for your brood. With an abundance of new homes for sale across the country, you could purchase a humble abode with all mod cons. Forget about structural defects, potential damp or need for new appliances or redecoration. This will have been done for you by the developers. Brand new homes that have never had anyone living in them are great for the family who just want to move in and do very little. If you get in early enough and purchase off plan you can even have a say over decor and white goods.
Alternatively, you could opt for the older property. If you adore period features such as original fireplaces, picture rails and cornicing, Victorian or Georgian dwellings may be more your style. You will be paying a premium for the features, but this is your dream home. For a little extra money you can be living in a piece of social history. Rooms are often larger, ceilings are taller and you could even venture into the attic space resulting in a spacious family home.
If listing your property, packing up your lives and then shipping to somewhere new seems like too much hard work, you might be tempted to stay put. This will save you money and allow you to spend your hard earned cash on renovating the property that you currently live in. If you’ve been in your humble abode for a few years, you have probably grown very attached to it. This might be the little patch of bricks and mortar that has welcomed your little bundles of joy into the world, it might be where you had your first family Christmas together, and it might be the comfy environment in which your kids thrive. Do you really want to give all of this up?
Even if your kids are growing at a ridiculously fast rate or if you are planning on expanding your brood, you can make your home accommodate this. Think about an extension going outwards or up. Adding a bedroom and a bathroom if heading into the attic space can add value to your property and give the much needed privacy to growing kids. Extending outwards could make your living area all the more spacious. Forget about the poky kitchen and instead, think about a huge kitchen dining space. Open plan living is on trend at the moment with more and more families craving quality time together. You can eat, share stories, and socialise in this space.
For easy living, you need light and space. Your current home can provide this, you just need to commit the funds and time to achieve it. It’s up to you whether you move or stay put. Follow this guide and choose the right option for you and your brood.