Should I move house or stay put?

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It’s said that moving home is one of the most stressful life events anyone can undertake. But staying in a place you’re not happy in can also bring its own problems too. Before you set foot in the estate agents or go online for a snoop, it’s best to consider whether there's something specific you want to change, or if it's much bigger than that. After all, moving home is a decision that affects other people you’re close to as well as yourself. In this guide, we’ll look at the advantages of either situation, and offer some sensible advice that’ll take some of the anxiety away.

Why are you thinking about a move or staying put?

If you’ve simply fallen out of love with your décor or the logistics of the house or flat, then it could be a fixable – albeit time-consuming and expensive – problem. Or perhaps you need to update some fixtures or plumbing to make everything run a little smoother or to make your home feel more modern.

That said, sometimes the question of ‘should I move house or stay put?’ may be taken out of your hands. You may have a change in personal circumstances that forces a move, such as a new job in a different location, want to expand your family with a baby or pet, or you may be asked to leave your rental property. When this happens, it’s best to take the news in your stride and put your efforts into making the situation the best you can!

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Don’t move, improve

If you’re happy with the local area, and who you live with, but you believe your issue is with your home itself, then you may be better off staying put and making changes to suit your needs. Some people prefer to put themselves through a short period of renovation –such as installing a new kitchen or adding an extension – knowing the reward for the inconvenience will be one everyone will benefit from, rather than the home’s next owner. It’s often why when it comes to property, people ‘love it’ before they ‘list it’.

THE PROS OF STAYING PUT

When deciding whether to move home or stay put, the biggest factor in staying put will be your home’s familiarity. You already know it inside out, what works and crucially what doesn’t. So while it may be a major undertaking to say, update the bathroom, ultimately it will be something that you or your family needs, wants and can benefit from. And unless the renovations go on for months, it won’t be as much of an upheaval as moving, and you can enjoy the finished results for years to come. Other benefits to staying put include:

You’re adding value – chances are, if you think your living room needs to be spruced up, then so would a potential buyer. Making your home the best it can be not only makes you happy in the present, but it’s a good investment for the future
You’re making it your own – how lovely to think of a time when you or your friends enjoy a better quality of life just because you added a kitchen island, or a spare room
You’re familiar with the area – you may have good neighbours or family nearby that you’d be reluctant to leave behind, gorgeous scenery on your doorstep, superb schools or shops and handy bus or train links.

Do remember though, there is a downside to home developments that isn’t just the mess, cost and inconvenience. Often improvements create a domino effect. That sparkling new bedroom may make your other rooms seem dingy, and you may get the DIY bug.

Fall in love with your home

It stands to reason if you’re living in a place that’s shabby or neglected, you’ll feel the same! It’s worth investing in the flat or house in which you spend quality time, and one of the best ways is to look at your flooring. A new, soft carpet may be what you ned to make your bedroom feel more inviting; you may want to spruce up the kids’ bedroom with a high quality laminate that will last for years to come; or it might be time to update the kitchen or conservatory with some sturdy, attractive luxury vinyl tiles.

Moving on: the costs

When you’re considering if you should move or stay in your home, there are many different ways to work out this total. But do remember if you’re selling as well as buying, you’ll need to budget for both.

How much does it cost to sell a house?

The consumer choice brand Which? suggests the average figure is around £12,00 to sell a property (in 2022). But that’s all dependent on the sale price and your home’s location, your agent’s commission, your solicitor’s charges and getting an Energy Performance Certificate. It doesn’t include any improvements you make to bring your home up to scratch for your potential buyer.

How much does it cost to buy a house?

This figure depends on the value of the house you’re hoping to buy. Stamp duty is a sliding scales of fees, which start at 5% if your property is worth more than £250,000 and goes up to 12% on a purchase over £1.5 million (in 2022). If you’re a first-time buyer, there is a more favourable scale.

Then there’s the house survey which is advised for all buyers. It may uncover some problems with your potential sale, and change how you feel about the purchase, and maybe put you in mind to negotiate its selling price. Or you may want to factor in extra cash to bring the house up to your standards once you’ve moved in. Build into your budget your conveyancing charges, and potentially a fee from your mortgage provider, and your removal company’s invoice, and it all adds up!

THE PROS OF MOVING

So you’ve asked yourself ‘Should I move house or stay put?’ and considered your options, you’ll have realised there are many advantages to moving. The major one is the joy of a new beginning. Often a fresh start in terms of location creates an uptick in your quality of life. Other benefits to moving include:

You’ve made the choice – if you’ve been renting or grown unhappy in the area you’ve been living in, a move really can help you to see the more positive side of life and potentially improve your work-life balance
It’s a sound investment – even when house prices are fluctuating, owning your own home is a great use of savings or income
Your home is your castle – there’s nothing nicer than the feeling you can just shut the door on the outside world and enjoy being in your own place, doing what you want!

But there is sometimes a downside to moving. As we’ve already shown, it’s an expensive business! And once you’re in, there is a huge amount of unpacking and organising to be done before you can properly relax. If you’ve relocated to completely new surroundings, it may take you a little time to get used to your new neighbourhood, for instance.

Take the next steps whether you move or stay put

Whether you’re ready for a new home or you want to breathe life back into your current one, our team of friendly and knowledgeable floorologists will be able to advise you on the best flooring to suit your taste and budget. Visit us in store, go online or book a free home visit and we’ll bring our floors to yours.

Post author

Claire Murphy Copywriter Former lifestyle journalist, keen amateur upcycler, full of value for money ideas

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Published: 01-02-2023