PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FINDING A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME

Looking for a new place to call home? Here are a few practical tips for happy house hunting.

BRING A TAPE MEASURE

You may end up on the receiving end of a few strange looks, but this is a must! One of the most frustrating things that can happen when you move in is when your furniture doesn’t fit properly. If there are too many people at a viewing, don’t be shy to call up the agent and book a private viewing. It will also show that you’re really interested in the property. Make sure you get all the measurements you need and go back for more if you must.

DRAW A FLOOR PLAN

Get out the pencils, some quad paper and a ruler! Draw a plan, measure your furniture and see how everything fits together. Many listings already have plans with dimensions, so download them and print them out. Always use a plan. Don’t fall into the trap of making decisions based on photos from the listing. Those wide-angle lenses really make rooms look bigger than they are. If you like moving your furniture around every now and again, then this is the perfect time to do some pre-planning and see how many ways your furniture will fit. 

THINK ABOUT STORAGE

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. Some have ample storage and others don’t. Make sure you take your time to check out the storage facilities – open those cupboards! Think about where you’ll put things like your clothes rack, ironing board and suitcases. If there’s more than enough storage, that’s great. If not, then don’t worry, there are some great storage hacks to consider. Bed bases with storage work wonders, neatly keeping your belongings out of sight. Ottomans with storage are another great option and so are drawers under the sofa or bed. You can find some clever storage ideas here.

WHICH DIRECTION DOES IT FACE?

When viewing homes in spring and summer, they always feel warm and dry, but make sure you don’t forget to think about what your new home will be like in autumn and winter. Think about what direction the home faces. Most of the windows should be facing North and the bigger the better. This will help you make the most of the winter sun, trapping more warmth inside. Nothing beats a home with plenty of natural light and warmth. Just make sure there are enough windows or doors you can open to get the air flowing as well, especially for summer. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask about insulation, if the windows are double glazed and what heating facilities are installed, even though it may feel a bit out of place during the warmer weather.  After all, you are buying or renting for both summer and winter. Ticking these boxes can help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, helping reduce your power.

PUT TOGETHER THE ULTIMATE MOVING PLAN

To start with, check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist. It ticks all the boxes – addresses to change, utilities to sort out, planning, decluttering, packing and everything else you need. It really is the ultimate list. Start planning and packing as early as you can. It’s amazing how much we accumulate over time, so go crazy with the decluttering. This will make it a lot easier on moving day – Here are some tips! If you have kids, we’ve got you covered with these ideas to keep them busy. Happy house hunting.  

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The information provided in this article is of a general nature and not intended to be a substitute for personalised, professional advice. Mercury recommends that you always seek appropriate advice from a qualified professional to suit your individual circumstances. Links to external, non-Mercury websites are provided as a reference only, and do not imply a partnership or endorsement of their content.