Moving at Christmas
With the festive season fast approaching, it's not only the shops and retail outlets that are getting ready for the sudden onslaught of customers.
As well as Estate and Lettings Agents, Removal and Shipping companies are getting ready for Christmas as well. After the Summer and Easter holidays, this is one of the busiest times of the year for moving home.
Anyone that was unlucky enough not to complete their house sale in the summer months is now desperately trying to make sure that they move this side of Christmas, so that all the loose ends are tied up before the New Year. Also Christmas and the New Year see the end of many tenancy agreements, so therefore the renting market becomes saturated with vacant properties to let.
Being a tenant at this time of year is great, due to the extensive range of properties that are available. And if you're lucky, you may even get a discount on the monthly rent or deposit due to the fact that the landlord is having trouble letting it out.
However, if you're a landlord at this time of year, you will have to make sure that the property you are letting is picture perfect so that you get the right kind of tenant and the right price for your property. With so many people taking advantage of the Buy to Let market, you cannot afford for your property to be on the bottom rung of the ladder right now.
Although, the actual moving day may not be top priority for many people relocating, it should not be forgotten and left till the end.
You see, many people think that booking a removal company is like booking a taxi - Quick and easy.
What many people don't realise is that removal companies can be fully booked for days and weeks in advance. So if you don't want to be left with the really expensive companies or on the other hand, the cowboy firms, contact your movers well in advance.
Don't get me wrong, it is not always that everyone leaves it late to book, but sometimes the exchange on their property does not go through until a few days before completion and many people (superstitiously) think that they shouldn’t sort things out until everything is confirmed. Also if you're renting, you can find a property and be accepted within just a few days if your credit check goes through straight away.
One major piece of advice that we give to all our clients is to make sure that you get quotes from Removal or Shipping companies as early as possible. If you contact them at least 6-8 weeks in advance of your proposed move date then you are more likely to be prepared for short notice completions. Also, the removal companies will be more patient and understanding of your situation if things do get delayed. Plus, if you are moving overseas, Sea freight and European shipments can sometimes take several weeks to arrive at your destination so be prepared and book early.
This is also a good idea so that you know exactly how much your removal is going to cost you well in advance. Moving with a professional company may be less hassle, but it can also be expensive. So Be Prepared!
And don't think that just because you are moving yourself, you have it easier either. Moving at any time of year is hard work, let alone in the cold and wet winter months, so make sure you have prepared yourself for the worse. If you are moving yourself, make sure you hire the right size vehicle and leave enough time for the packing and loading. You can be charged by the Removal Company moving into the new property if you are not moved out in time and they are delayed unloading.