It’s that time of year again – the nights are drawing in, the days are getting chillier and we will, inevitably, be spending more time indoors. Often, this can result in feelings of claustrophobia and the sense that your home is too small for you. Sometimes, flaws that you’d completely overlooked in the warmer months become glaringly apparent. Could it be time to consider a move?
Yet it’s not just the season that can impact feelings of discontent and restlessness around property: research has demonstrated that, after living happily in a home for years, the five-year-itch hits, resulting in property owners browsing websites and estate agent windows for their next buy.
Looking online at property websites (59 per cent) and taking an interest in ‘for sale’ homes in your neighbourhood (32 per cent) are the major tell-tale signs people are considering a move.
And 31 per cent admit to thinking about what they can do to get their home ready to sell: another indication they’re ready to make the switch.
Anthony Ward Thomas, of Anthony Ward Thomas Removals, which commissioned the study of 2,000 adults, said: “Moving can be a challenging task, but it doesn’t need to be.
“It’s not a surprise that, for more than half (54 per cent) of people, cost is the most important factor when making a move.
“But using a professional company to help you pack up, move out and move in buys you peace of mind – that’s priceless.”
The research, carried out by OnePoll, found Londoners get ‘itchy feet’ the quickest of any region – as they want to move less than four years in.
Those in the capital aren’t as willing to stay put in their property either, as they said they could stay at their current home for another seven years at a push – compared to those in the East Midlands who were willing to settle for their current circumstances for more than 13 years.
Other top signs people are looking to move home include getting fed up with the neighbours (24 per cent), not having enough storage space (23 per cent) and no longer enjoying spending time in the home (22 per cent).
However, one of the major factors putting people off moving was the thought of shifting their stuff (55 per cent).
Despite this, only 43 per cent of people who moved home previously said they used a removal company to help them.
Yet 59 per cent said if they were to move now, they’d get outside help from a specialist – highlighting just how important they are.
In fact a whopping 92 per cent of those who had used a removal company said they would use one again.
Among the major benefits listed were not having to do the heavy lifting (62 per cent), being less stressful (50 per cent) and having one less thing to worry about (45 per cent).
Others included saving time (42 per cent) and avoiding injury caused by heavy lifting (40 per cent).
Anthony Ward Thomas said: “As our results show, one of the major factors which puts people off moving is having to move their belongings.
“It should be any removal firm’s number one priority to ensure every single item is looked after as if it were their own and to care about every move.”
TOP TIPS FOR MOVING HOME, FROM ANTHONY WARD THOMAS
- Make a move plan – include all tasks on it and assign them to people and/or companies helping you
- Clear the clutter – give yourself 5 categories: keep, sell, bin, store or giveaway
- Hire professionals – don’t cut costs and do a DIY move: it pays to have peace of mind
- Pack from the top down – start at the top and work downwards, labelling your boxes with what’s in them, where they’ve come from and where they’re going to
- Pack a box of essentials – from a kettle, mugs and coffee, to bedding for the first night and the kid’s iPads, pack up useful items in one box for easy access.
