7 Ways To Speed Up The House Moving Process

You’ve decided to sell your property and excitement sets in about moving to your next home. It may feel like there are some long weeks ahead but we bring good news - there are ways of speeding up the house moving process. 

While there are many things out of your control – such as the number of people in the chain and reliance on third-parties, including solicitors and surveyors – don’t let that stop you doing all you can to help the transaction progress.  Advance planning can also reduce some of the stress that can come with moving house – something we are keen to help our clients avoid! 

Here are 7 things you can do to speed up the moving process.

1. Prepare your property

Remember to ensure your home is ready for photos and viewings by sprucing up the front of the property and decluttering the interior in good time. The earlier you start, the less overwhelming it will feel, so don’t put this aspect off.

2. Price to sell

An effective way to reduce the time between your property going on the market and accepting an offer is to price it competitively. Too high and it could put buyers off. If speed is of the essence, talk to White & Brooks about your timeframe goals and we can come up with the right pricing strategy to suit your circumstances. 

3. Have documentation and finance sorted

Probably one of the most time-consuming tasks when moving home is sorting through the documentation needed. From personal documents that prove your income, identity and address, to any certificates and papers that will confirm property ownership and any works done, the list can be exhaustive. 

It’s crucial to get your mortgage in principle approved so you know your budget and have proof of your deposit to hand. You’ll also need things such as deeds, titles and certifications for any regulated works done on your existing home, like extensions or window installations. There’s no harm in getting a new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) too if yours is out of date - they are only valid for 10 years.

Why not go one step further and start completing the Property Information and Fittings and Fixtures forms that will form part of the contract pack?

4. Instruct a conveyancing solicitor early on

The conveyancing side of things is usually what takes the most amount of time. There are many checks going on behind the scenes and things that need to happen before contracts can be exchanged. This includes obtaining surveys or a home buyers report and property searches. But you don’t need to wait until you have an offer accepted to instruct a solicitor. Getting the ball rolling early can shave potentially weeks off the legal process.

It’s advisable to get a few quotes from recommended solicitors first and then ask them if you can complete any of the necessary forms and checks beforehand, particularly pertaining to the property you are selling.

5. Communicate clearly and quickly

Always follow up emails or requests for signed documents. It’s better to double check that those involved have everything they need, rather than waiting for days, or even weeks, to find someone is still waiting on one specific item. Don’t be afraid to ask what else you need to provide or if anything is missing. Keep a checklist of what you’ve been asked for and what you’ve sent, using this to communicate with everyone involved.

6. Address any issues straight away

Issues can arise at any point following an agreed sale, whether it’s the property you are buying or selling. The lender could ask for more information, the survey may uncover some structural shocks and disruption further down the chain may delay the transaction. This isn’t the moment to bury your head in the sand. White & Brooks can help you take appropriate action as soon as a red flag is raised.

7. Use an agent with a dedicated Sales Progressor

If the amount of calling, emailing and questioning required during a property sale and/or purchase is cause for concern, chose an estate agent who will manage the transaction on your behalf. White & Brooks has dedicated Sales Progressors to help with all of the above. It is their job to keep transactions on track and chase the relevant parties so our clients don’t have to.

Ready to sell? Give our team a call - we’d be happy to chat about your next property move.