Top tips for Relocating

Moving to a new or unfamiliar area can seem a little scary. After all, if it turns out to be the wrong decision it can have a bearing on both your finances and your ability to settle. But it can also be an incredible opportunity to make a new start or even save money by moving to a particular location.

Whatever your reason for moving further afield, take a look at our relocation tips below to aid your search and make moving day as easy as possible.

Get online

If you’re moving a great distance, you won’t be able to do a lot of in person searching right away. You might have to take a couple of trips to the potential areas to really see what you like. But until then, your budget and criteria are enough for an online property search. Make sure your first step is having these clearly defined as this will allow you to focus on neighbourhoods and exploring suitable areas.

Used correctly, browsing areas and properties online can deliver useful information and statistics to guide your search. You can even use sites that collate local crime and policing information in order to provide an overview of your chosen area and its safety.

• Crime-statistics.co.uk works alongside individual police forces and the Government to keep crime statistics accurate and up-to-date
• Xploria.co.uk can be useful for a long distance searches. The site claims to use open data including ONS, Environmental Agency and the Department for Education (as well as several others), to deliver local information in a geographical context. The interactive map allows you to explore areas, showing the standard of living, local demographics, estimated travel times, housing data, crime rate and schools.

Don’t forget social media

As well as online, be sure to check out the social channels for the new area. Newspapers and some councils have accounts that will show you things going on in the area. You can also join Facebook groups where locals can answer questions you may have.

Estate agents

A reliable source of local knowledge is, of course, the local estate agents. If you have questions regarding schools, transport links or neighbourhoods, compile a list and contact a local agent who will be able to assist you. A knowledgeable professional will have the ability to provide you with recommendations as well as help you to compare properties against your criteria.

At haart we consider ourselves to be the nation’s local estate agents with experienced, well-informed advisors. With over 100 branches nationwide we can help you buy or sell. Get in touch with us today.

Our website offers extensive advice and search abilities, including narrowing down your criteria as well as viewing schools, transport and shops local to properties for sale with us. 

Next steps

Once you have narrowed down an area for your relocation, take a trip there if you are able to. Walking through the town or driving along the streets will give you a good feel for the place. Key things to look for include:

• Presentation and maintenance – are the properties, roads and town well-presented and well-maintained?
• Is the town busy and thriving or boarded up?
• Are there new retailers and shops? This can indicate an area of growth and investment
• Take a look at local amenities – if a gym or leisure centre is important to you, shop around and see what the area has to offer

Making the move

After all the preparation, you may have property to sell.   haart can help with that too! Head to our Sales page for more articles and information. Questions for us about buying or selling? contact us.