Whether you are looking to relocate for work or you’re seeking out new horizons, packing up your belongings and waving goodbye to your friends and family can understandably feel daunting. Here are five tips for relocating in 2023 to help your move to a new location run as smoothly as possible.
Establish a budget
Moving to a new home comes with a substantial amount of short-term and long-term expenditure, especially if you’re relocating. It’s important to stay on top of your finances and budget for everything you’ll need ahead of time. It is possible you won’t need to buy everything at once, so be prepared to take things as they come, and always leave a little extra room in your budget in case of any unexpected costs.
Research your new location There will be so much to learn about the local area of your new home – from school ratings to nearby amenities – it can feel overwhelming at first. However, it will help you to adjust to your new home enormously if you invest some time into research before you arrive. Look online to find out as much as you can and consider asking questions on open forums and local Facebook groups, as this is a great way to get honest advice from residents and previous residents, and you may even meet some locals while you're at it!
Plan a visit to scope out your new location
There’s only so much you can learn about your new home online, and a visit to your new location before move-in day will give you the in-depth insight you might need for peace of mind. This could also be an opportunity to meet some of the neighbours, try out the local restaurants and bars, and get a good feel for the community.
Friends and family
Unless it’s a brand-new home, It’s quite possible that you won’t be seeing your friends and family as often as you’re used to, and this can be one of the hardest factors to adjust to when relocating. However, in this age of globalisation, a solid internet connection is all you need to stay in touch with your loved ones. It’s also a good idea to start planning out a few trips to your hometown at the start of the year so that you have ample time to make arrangements and book time off.
Make yourself at home
After all the hustle and bustle of travelling and moving, there will come a blissful moment when the door closes behind you and you are finally in your new home. Moving away can feel like your world has been tipped upside-down, so it’s important to make your new property a home and bring yourself closer to your loved ones with decorations and pictures that remind you of them. A new home can feel like a fresh start, and you might want to avoid clutter, but don’t forget all of the creature comforts that make you feel at home.
Most people like to step into the New Year with plans for a new life, which is why such an influx of buyers appears on the market this time each year. If you’re amongst the population of movers looking for a fresh new start, here’s how to get the ball rolling during this wonderful season.
Clear away Christmas clutter Buyers are looking for a fresh start, so make sure you box up all of your Christmas ornaments, take down the tree and store away the outdoor lights. January is still a cold and cosy period, so there’s no need to store away your winter blankets, cushions and comforting candles just yet.
Make your home look brand new
Now that the festive debris is out the way, it’s time for a deep clean. Have your house looking like a new year’s resolution by getting your flooring or carpets looking as untouched as possible, your gutters cleared of leaves and mulch from the winter, and your windows sparkling.
Get your home listed as early as possible
New year's resolutions are time-sensitive, and the further we get into the year, the more we lose our sense of urgency for change. You may also be able to achieve a better price by listing in the new year, as buyers keen for a fresh beginning are more willing to compete.
Offer a lifestyle
Buyers aren’t only looking for a change of scenery, they’re often looking for a change in lifestyle, and this only becomes more important in the new year. If your home has something great to offer, such as a home office or gym, an extension, or an exceptional garden space, be sure to pay attention to these areas and advertise their function in your listing.
Carry out last-minute repairs
If minor repairs have been nagging you all year long, now is the time to start fixing the place up so it’s ready to sell. Loose door handles, cracks in tiles and scuffed walls rarely go undetected by prospective buyers, and you’ll give yourself a better chance of a fast sale if you invest some time into fixing these things.
Get organised
At this time of year, many buyers will be looking for a space that feels organised and free of chaos, as they may be trying to find more balance and structure in their own lives. Make use of organised storage containers with labels, arrange miscellaneous items like throw pillows into a coherent pattern, and find a place to store away shoes and coats to keep the hallway space clutter-free.
Give your garden some TLC
Your garden may need a touch-up after the past few months of leaves, rain and ice, and while the temperatures won’t be shifting anytime soon, buyers will want to see how your garden holds up in winter. It’s a good idea to take your outdoor furniture out of storage for viewings and give it a good clean-up, as this will help visitors to envision how they would personally use the garden space.
Now is the perfect season to welcome your friends and family into your home to share a meal you prepared for them. If you’re thinking about throwing your very own dinner party this year, here are our top tips to help get you started…
1. Stick to recipes you know It can be tempting to pull out all the stops and find a creative new recipe to dazzle all of your guests on the night, but this seldom goes well, especially if you haven’t practised beforehand.
Usually, the most satisfying meals are those that have been in your family for years and that you’ve had plenty of time to master. You could even put your own spin on these dishes if you want to create something a little more personal.
But if you really want to try out something new, make sure to choose something within the scope of your cooking skills, and conduct a test run before the party to ensure nothing goes wrong on the day.
2. Give your party a theme
To make your dinner party extra memorable, you can incorporate a theme for the evening. This could include a dress code, fun decorations and a menu full of quirky courses that your guests will love to dig into.
3. Decide on a seating arrangement
Part of the fun of a dinner party is meeting new people. As a host, you likely have friends from everywhere whether it be work, childhood or mutual friends. A well-thought-out guest list and seating plan is a great way to bring all of your favourite people together and for them to get to know each other.
4. Set the ambience
A few simple spruces make all the difference. Decorate your dinner table with fresh flowers, set a subtle mood with tea candles, hang fairy lights across the wall or ceiling and dim your lamps to help people relax. Don’t forget the music – keep it on a low volume setting and design a playlist that you know your guests will love.
5. Start cooking before the doorbell rings
Starting as early as possible will leave you with more time to sit with your guests. Even if this means setting up the portions ready for cooking. It is important to have all of your spices and ingredients out and organised beforehand, as searching for them at the last minute can easily lead to a stressful situation – and the last thing you would want to do, is pop out to the shops for a missing ingredient while your guests are waiting.
6. Make your guests feel at home
Make sure you welcome each guest, let them know where your bathrooms are, and accompany them to hang up their coats and scarves. It is also a great idea to offer them a beverage upon arrival to keep things flowing nicely, rather than having to pour out drinks all at once when everyone has arrived. If you’re hosting a number of friends and family members who haven’t met yet, take some time out to introduce people and get the conversation started before everyone is seated.
7. Serving the dishes
Decide how you would like to serve your dishes beforehand. If you have courses made up of multiple components or if you’ve chosen several different options, it could be a good idea to serve up your dishes in the centre of the table so your guests can help themselves to their liking. If you’ve chosen a set menu for everyone or if you’ve catered to some guests’ dietary needs, you may be better off serving their plates ready.
8. Enjoy the meal with your guests
Something in the kitchen might be calling you, or glasses may need topping up, but you should make sure to switch off from your hosting for a moment and allow yourself to enjoy the meal with your guests. It is important to be present at the table and show your guests that it’s a pleasure to have them in your home, so spend plenty of time dining with them, engaging in conversation in-between courses.
9. Entertainment
Plan out a fun activity or discussion before dessert – it’ll give your guests time to make some room and you can spend even less time in the kitchen between courses. Most dinner party games require nothing more than a pen and paper, so keep things relaxed and let the fun and laughter come naturally. This is also a good way to keep guests at the table if you’ve prepared a showstopping dessert that you want to be enjoyed in the dining room.
10. Clean up before bed
Do yourself a favour and get cleaned up before going to bed. It’s better to end the night with a clean kitchen than to wake up to a messy one.
Join me as i meet William Davey from Milecross financial to discuss the trials and tribulations of getting a first time buyers mortgage in 2022. You will find some useful tips in how best to prepare for going shopping for your first home and how to calculate how much you will have to spend!
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