If you’re planning to make a move in the near future, I’m sure you’re already aware of some of the hidden costs you’ll incur while moving from your old house and into your new home, such as mortgage fees, taxes, losing interest on your savings and moving expenses.
However, these costs aren’t set in stone and there are some things you can do to save money – and even make money while you’re moving house. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Start by decluttering
A great place to start is with decluttering your home. This will mean you have fewer items to move with, your house looks tidier (and more spacious) if you’re trying to sell it, and you may even be able to make some money at this stage – here’s how:
Firstly, any broken items you’re decluttering can be correctly disposed of at your local waste recycling centre. Next, duplicate items (such as multiple items of kitchenware that all do the same thing) can be donated to charity. Then, all you’re left with will be belongings that are in good condition yet no longer wanted. These items are the key to making some extra money to help with the move.
Put them up for sale on online auction sites, via local listings, selling on Vinted, or even ask around friends and family in case they would like to buy your unwanted pieces. All the profits from selling these items can go into a pot that can be used for renting a removal van or for furniture purchases when you arrive in your new home.
Through decluttering – and by preventing recluttering – you also cut down the volume of goods you need to move. This can reduce the prices quoted by a removal company as it will take them less time to get the job done. It will also mean that if items need to go into storage while you’re between homes, you’ll be able to hire a smaller lock-up, therefore cutting the cost.
Know your selling options
Another way to save money is to know your options when moving house, particularly if you are selling. The highest possible selling price may not actually be the best option for you because there will be a range of other factors that will cut into your profit.
For example, you may find that a traditional estate agent route will require you to pay a percentage of the final fee to them, and then you may need to refurbish and repair the house to prepare it for sale. Even having the home standing empty can cut into profits as you pay maintenance costs and council tax. When deducted from the price they predict, you could end up with less profit than you think.
You may wish to consider selling the home yourself to save money. That will also have some expenses associated with it, as you’ll be doing the marketing and registering your home on selling websites yourself. There will probably be fees for this and you may have to splash out up-front, but it’ll hopefully be a more affordable price than selling via an estate agent. That means you’ll end up with more profit in your pocket after the sale completes.
Alternatively, you may find a company that will buy a house for cash. This will undoubtedly be a lower offer. However, it won’t have fees deducted, it can happen in as little as a week and you won’t have to renovate and repair your home to get it up to a saleable standard. Companies like Sold.co.uk can provide you with both options, allowing you to discuss the best for your needs, both financially and in terms of turnaround times.
Book removals in advance
Doing away with a removal company is one way to save money altogether. When I’ve moved house in the past, I’ve always rented a van for a few days and have gathered friends and family around to help with shifting my stuff to my new home.
However, the heavy lifting is physically demanding, especially with larger items. Plus, if someone breaks something valuable, you won’t be covered like you are with a removal company. Movers can also save you a lot of time, which may be better spent elsewhere if you’ve got work or family commitments.
Costs can fluctuate with removal companies, depending on a range of factors. The main one is how busy they actually are, but there are ways to cut costs. Low seasons or booking way in advance will yield better prices. And don’t go with the first quote either. Instead, you should try to shop around for a range of them using comparison sites like Reallymoving.com.
I hope these three tips will help when you’re planning on selling and moving house in the future. Sure, it will still cost you, but by considering these factors, it should cost a little less. Moving is already a stressful time, so saving money can cushion the blow a little. Before long, you will be in your new property, and you may even have some extra cash to spend on making it into a home!
Please let me know how you managed to save money when you last moved house. I’d love to hear your home moving hacks in the comments below.
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