Buying your first home is usually a very exciting experience. It can also be overwhelming. You’re entering the property owning world, but this is coupled with the stress of finding that perfect home that meets your needs and suits your budget. We thought we’d offer up some tips to help you ease some of the burden and avoid moving day disasters. Enjoy!
When you start looking:
Think about the season when you plan a move. It is no fun to move in the snow – this makes everything that much more difficult. Sometimes you are not willing to wait until May to move, but if the extra few months does not make a difference, consider closing in the spring or summer.
When you’ve found the house:
Consider moving in 1 day after closing. This will help avoid those delays that can cause considerable headache and end up costing you money. For example, a common moving day horror story is the one where the new homebuyers, after loading the rental truck full of their belongings, makes the trek to the new house to await the lawyers – only to find out that the key will not available for hours! If you are paying by the hour, this wait can mean a considerable increase. Just make sure that you coordinate this at the time that you buy and sell – if you are scheduled to get the keys to your new place on the 15th, make sure your old house closes on the 16th.
Approaching moving day:
Consider using a moving company to help, and when researching moving companies, do your homework. Don’t just settle for the first company you come across or the one that offers the lowest price. Go for one that has a reputation for reliability. Ask questions and get a detailed estimate. Watch out for hidden fees. Common horror story #2: homeowner contracts the services of a moving company and is quoted a fixed fee. Upon arrival at the new home, the moving company then informs the homeowner that stairs are an additional price, as is the baby grand that needs to be moved from the truck. Not paying means all property stays on the truck until the cheque is in hand. Stairs and heavier items are often fees that only come to light after the fixed fee has been agreed up – so ensure that a quote is accurate and won’t increase.
Moving to your first home doesn’t have to be a major pain – if you go about it the right way. Actually enjoy the excitement of moving day using these tips.
For more about how to avoid moving day disasters, whether it is your first home or your 50th, please contact Bradford Moving and Storage at 1 (800) 263-3281 or visit www.bradfordmoving.com.
