Moving into a new home is a huge life event for anyone. But for children in particular, it can stir up a mix of emotions, both positive and negative. As parents, it’s essential to recognise these emotions and consider how you can make moving less daunting for your little ones.

Let’s take a look at how moving can affect children emotionally, what signs to look out for, and how to make them feel more positive about the big change.

Why moving can be hard for kids

Moving can be a challenging experience for kids because it disrupts their sense of security and familiarity. Leaving behind a home where they've built memories, made friends, and settled into routines can feel overwhelming. The uncertainty of a new environment can also make them feel anxious.

Signs your child might be struggling with the idea of moving

When children are struggling with the idea of moving, their emotions can manifest in different ways. You might notice your child becoming less interested in activities they usually enjoy or more irritable than usual. They may become clingier as they seek reassurance on the move. Additionally, sleeping patterns might be disrupted, and nightmares may become more common.

Preparing your kids for the big move

Preparing your kids for the big move is all about open communication and reassurance. You should talk to them about the move well in advance, explaining why it's happening and what they can expect. Address any concerns they might have, whether it's about leaving friends behind or starting at a new school. By making them feel understood and heard, you can ease their anxiety and help them approach the change with a more positive mindset.

If your child is still feeling negative about the move, don’t be too concerned. According to a study from Zoopla, 77% of kids say they prefer their new home once they’ve moved. *

Involving your children in the moving process

Involving your children in the moving process can help ease their anxiety and give them a sense of control during this big life change. Let them participate in tasks like packing their own belongings or choosing the colour for their new bedroom walls. Framing the move as an exciting adventure where they can make their own decisions can change how they view the experience.

You could even make it fun by letting them decorate moving boxes or creating a moving-day playlist together. The more engaged they feel, the smoother the transition will be for everyone.

Helping your child adjust to their new home

Once you’ve moved into your new home, it’s important to create a sense of familiarity and comfort in the new environment. Giving them some freedom and choice over how they want their room set up can make them feel more involved and in control. Making their first week in the new home fun is also crucial, as making happy memories early on could quickly alleviate any anxiety they may have.

Supporting your child after the move

After the move, it’s important to encourage open conversations where they can express any concerns or negative feelings they may have. Keeping familiar routines in place wherever possible can provide a sense of stability, as it keeps overall change to a minimum. Taking them to local parks or clubs where they can start forming friendships can help them acclimatise. But remember, every child adapts at their own pace.

Even if you have not found your perfect property yet, you know that you don’t want your move to be a long-drawn-out affair. Having the right team in place to guide you really does make a big difference. So, here’s a few things to bear in mind that could help to speed up the sale of your home.

Create killer kerb appeal

From windows to weed-free paths and a nicely presented front door, your home’s kerb appeal is the face of your home. It’s most likely the first thing your potential buyer will see online and in person. Check the guttering, mow the lawn, and give that area of your home a good brush. It’s often the combined effect of these basics that makes the biggest impact. Don’t forget your garden and other outdoor spaces; they are just as important as any other room in the house.

Good first impressions matter

Making your home look pretty is a surefire way to attract buyers. Arranging furniture in a way that creates a feeling of space will make it more appealing to buyers. Clean, decluttered spaces with small elements of staging show your home’s features off in the best possible light. Set the scene by dressing your home and setting the table nicely or arranging cushions on beds but remember to be subtle.

Ask for the right asking price

Homes that are set at the right price will sell more quickly than homes that need to be reduced later. In fact, if you overprice your home and then reduce the price later, it can put buyers off. Consulting your agent so that you can get the price right in the first place is important. That said, the market is in a good place and many buyers are achieving their asking prices, so leaving room for a little negotiation is not a bad thing.

Choose the right conveyancer 

One of the biggest delays in sales completions can be caused by waiting for your conveyancer or that of your buyers’. Before you move, try and find a good conveyancer; they will handle the legal process of buying your home. While this can take time, some are far more efficient than others.

Place importance on your paperwork

Gas certificates, building control certificates, EPC ratings—any paperwork that you need to progress your sale should be close to hand. Not having the right documentation can slow your home sale or, worse still, put buyers off. If more than one home sale slows in the chain, then delays become compounded. So, it pays to be organised.

Make your home appealing to cash buyers

Whether you are selling to a cash buyer or a buyer who is taking out a mortgage to buy your home, addressing structural issues or repairs can be beneficial. If you are interested in selling as quickly as possible, then pricing your home to make it appealing to cash buyers could significantly speed up your sale.

Communication is key 

Finding a good agent and keeping in touch throughout the selling process will give you a heads up on how best to prepare for the expected and the unexpected. Agents are eager to advise you on preparing your home and can introduce it to buyers from a database of hungry homemovers. They can also recommend good conveyancers, mortgage advisors, and other property professionals that could help speed up your sale.

Whether you decide to release equity in your home largely depends on your individual circumstances. Whether you are looking to increase the size of your pension pot or simply want to make some home improvements, you have a lot of options. We can’t advise you, but we take a closer look at some of those options.

What is equity release?

Equity is the amount of value you own in your home after you have subtracted any borrowings, such as mortgages on your property. Releasing equity from your home, in the simplest terms, means using some of that value in exchange for cash. There are a number of different ways to release equity depending on your needs.

Ways of releasing equity

Re-mortgaging 

If you are interested in borrowing more money against the value of your home to make home improvements or even for debt consolidation, this may be an option. If you use your existing mortgage provider, then you may be eligible for additional borrowing. This allows you to borrow more money with your current mortgage. This means if your mortgage is on a better rate currently, you may end up paying more interest. On the other hand, you may choose to find a new mortgage provider in order to get a better mortgage interest rate. 

Lifetime mortgages

Aimed at homeowners aged 55+, this type of mortgage allows you to borrow a proportion of your home’s equity. You could do this in one or a series of lump sums, while drawdown allows you to take equity as and when you need it. Interest will then be charged on the amount you borrow, which will be repaid when your home is sold. Most mortgage providers will allow you to repay up to 10% each year on the loan amount you borrow as equity from your home. It’s important to check that the scheme you choose comes with a no-negative equity guarantee in case mounting interest exceeds the value of the property in future years.

Home reversion 

Targeted at homeowners aged 60+ this scheme involves selling part of your home to the lender for a lump sum or an agreed income for a percentage of its market value. For example, you may sell 50% of your home for 30% of what it’s worth. While you can carry on living in the home, you will only receive a percentage of the market value for the share of your home you sell to them. This makes this scheme less popular than a lifetime mortgage due to its costly nature. When the home is sold, the revenue from the sale is divided according to the percentage each party owns, which includes any increases in value. 

Could downsizing be a better move?

If you need to fund your retirement and find yourself in a position where you have too much space, downsizing could be a better option. Most people are not best pleased about taking equity out of their homes. It can be a complicated and confusing process, which could erode any inheritance you leave for loved ones. Most people prefer the idea of owning their homes outright. Moving to a smaller, more energy-efficient property could give you a lump sum to fund your future plans without relinquishing any part of your home ownership. 

Discuss your property options with a good agent 

Sometimes properties themselves can hold the key to new opportunities and the solution to a better future. So, whether you want to downsize and use the profit from selling your old property to start a property portfolio, help family get on the ladder or to retire, it’s worth talking to your agent. Maybe you are making home improvements and want to know how much value you can add to your home. Perhaps you have hatched an ingenious plan that could involve letting part of your property to build a nest egg. Whatever your plans are, it's important to seek the right advice.

Your home is your most valuable asset, so your choice of agent shouldn’t be taken lightly. Working with an expert you can trust is crucial to the outcome of your sale, so you’ll need to conduct some research to ensure your decision is well-informed.

Here are the key indicators of a good agent:

Local presence and experience

A reliable agent will be experienced in selling properties similar to yours and well-versed in the intricacies of your local market. Make sure they can provide you with local insights such as trends, values, and any potential changes. You’ll often find that reputable businesses have a visceral local presence, with ‘SOLD’ boards all around and a comprehensive website full of details about the community.

Integrity

An accurate valuation is the key to a successful sale, so you’ll need an agent with a solid and reliable strategy. Some agents will offer up an unrealistic figure to get you on board, which often results in the home languishing on the market or failing to secure a buyer at all. A good agent will thoroughly assess your home, considering a multitude of factors such as recent sales data, the condition and appearance, and current market demand.

They can use this information to paint a full and accurate picture, ensuring that your property is competitively priced.

A solid marketing strategy

While the market remains competitive, a robust marketing strategy is what will set your sale in motion. It’s important to inquire about your potential agent’s approach to marketing, including both online and offline channels, professional photography, and any special strategies they might use to showcase your home in its best light.

First impressions

Your agent’s style of communication should be apparent from the first meeting. It’s important to set clear expectations on how you hope to be contacted if you work together. Whether it’s emails, phone calls or face-to-face meetings, the right agent will maintain an effective and consistent line of communication from the offset.

Glowing reviews

Reputable businesses are proud of their client testimonials, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find glowing reviews on the website. Customer feedback is the valuable insight you’ll need to get a gauge of the agent’s reputation, so don’t hesitate to do your research first.

How do they handle negotiations?

Having a strong negotiator on your side is crucial when it comes to selling a home. You should ask any potential agents about their approach to negotiations as well as their strategy for securing the best possible deal for you while also maintaining a positive relationship with potential buyers.