Relocating your family home is a stressful time for all, whatever the season, yet Winter is typically the time most people avoid moving. This is for several reasons, not least of which being the looming prospect of holidays and the New Year. And yet, it can also provide some unique opportunities for you and your family. In this article, we’ll help you decide if you should consider moving during the Winter.
Decide If You Really Need To Move
The first step is to decide if you really do need to move. What are your reasons for uprooting your safe haven and its contents? In some cases, you may not have a choice. Finances may dictate your need to move, or you may have ended a rental agreement. In this case, the focus should be on getting it done as painlessly as possible and limiting the disruption to family life – ideally, all in time for Christmas and the New Year.
Other factors may be more take-it-or-leave-it. Perhaps the ideal property has come up, or a job has been offered elsewhere that requires relocation. In these instances, write down a list of the pros and cons about moving and see which comes out on top.
The Pros And Cons Of Moving In Winter
There are, if you can believe it, a few distinct advantages to moving in Winter. The first is that the housing market slows right down, with fewer people buying. As a buyer, you enter into a small buyers market, where you have an advantage; you may be able to negotiate a better price, particularly if people want to move fast. If you are not in a housing chain, this can be invaluable.
However, if you are selling, it can be a little tougher. There are fewer people looking for houses, and many decide to wait until the start of the new year. If you need to sell your house fast, a quality company that provides cash offers is a good option. You may get a slightly lower offer than a traditional sale, but they can often be turned around in as little as seven days. Cash offers are no obligation, and some even have no hidden fees. This leaves you free to get everything in place before the end of the season.
Tips For Moving Home In Winter
Aside from issues relating to property sales, the biggest enemy when moving home in Winter is the weather. The daylight hours are reduced, and it can often take place in the cold and rain. Therefore, adjust your time and budget to account for this, scheduling more time than you may actually need. It will only take one downpour or a morning of snowfall to set your move back half a day.
Finally, make sure your family also has some ownership in the move. This will comfort them at a time when they may find the change unsettling. Getting children to pick furniture and items for new bedrooms is a great way to do this, and working with them to pack up their belongings. By doing this, you will move as a family, and your great Winter journey should herald the start of a promising new year in a new home.
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