What does moving day look like as a first-time buyer?
There of plenty of stages to prepare for when buying your first home, like the mortgage application, viewing properties, buying new furniture and so much more. But what about the day when you actually get to move in?
While you may just think you’ll pack your boxes, pick up your keys and get in there, there are other things to consider.
My name is Nina and I work at ESPC, but I also bought my first home recently. Here are some things about moving day that I learned, so you can prepare for them too...
Factor in delays
You can be as organised as you like and plan moving day down to the minute, but you have to remember - there will be stages of the process that you can’t control. We found that our keys were available later than we expected, so it meant locking up the van and heading out for some brunch.
Not that brunch is anything to complain about, but it just hadn’t been our plan. On moving day, changes and delays to your plans can feel stressful and knock other things back. But you will get in there eventually and it will be great. Just know that delays can happen, and have a plan, just-in-case.
Be prepared to clean... a lot.
If you’re going from a rented home to one of your own, like I did, you’ll obviously have to have that property thoroughly cleaned when you move out. But make sure you whip around afterwards with the hoover and duster, just to double-check that nothing has been missed.
But that’s not all. You should be prepared to give your new home a scrub too, as the previous owners are under no obligation to leave the place clean and tidy. I recommend that when you unlock the door, you also have cleaning supplies to close to hand. There shouldn’t be any big messes, but it’s just nice to move into a clean home anyway.
Take note of any issues once inside
Although there will have been elements of your new home that you might have noted down from the Home Report or during viewings, it’s always possible that you may have missed something that may need addressing in the property.
It could be a minor inconvenience, like a creaky floorboard you’ll need to fix, or there could be a bigger issue that you weren’t made aware of. It’s vital to check everything (like plumbing and electricity) is in order as soon as you move in so that they can be addressed.
In some sales, like my own, the sellers may be responsible for any issues regarding this, up to five working days after the sale. So be sure to tell your solicitor as soon as possible if something isn’t right!
Ready to start your first-time buyer adventure?
To learn more about buying your first home, check out our First Timers Club podcast series now.