Four things to remember when planning to move house

There is a lot to think about when you make the decision to move house.

Not only do you need to pack your worldly possessions (and then find the willpower and energy to unpack it all!), but there are there removalists to book, properties to clean and utilities connect.

Being well organised can minimise some of the stress and overwhelm of feeling like there are a thousand things on your ‘to do’ list.

But you can’t underestimate the value of advice from someone who has bought and sold numerous times. Here, Windrose Property Sales Agent Kate Billson offers up her best tips for a smooth move and seamless settling period.

Redirect all your mail
Most people will remember to redirect the snail mail and utility bills, but Kate says it’s the little used online services like MyGov, Medicare or the Australian Taxation Office that might slip your mind.

Make a checklist of your annual or six-monthly billers so you remember to get in touch with them well before you next account is due.

Change the locks
You get the key to your new home and you’re abuzz with excitement. It would be easy to move in without a second thought – but Kate says security should be at the forefront of your mind come move-in day.

“Security should be a priority so I’m a big one for changing the locks,” she said.
“You just can’t underestimate that secondary sense of security and it will give you peace of mind long into the future.”

You never know who might have been given a key to your new home in the past, so engage a professional locksmith to swap out the existing locks.

Hit pause on the renovations (for now)
It might be tempting to ready the sledgehammer or book in all the trades you will need to give the property the overhaul you think it needs.

Kate says it’s wise to “grow into the home” and discover the quirks of your new abode over time. Don’t be too hasty to knock over the renovations, unless it’s in need of urgent attention.

“I say to people when they move house, unless it needs something structural or major fixed quickly, don’t do anything cosmetic to the home until you’ve held it for 12 months,” she said.

“Let the house talk to you. Watch the sunlight. Watch what the shadows do. Watch what the light does. Watch what the reflection does. Over time, these might help shape your plans and renovation ideas for the property.”

“If you want to change the colour of the paint, that’s fine, but I’d always go through every season to see what the colours do naturally in the house. Sometimes the house will tell you what it needs rather than what you think it needs.

“For me, that’s a personal thing. My husband and I have bought and sold houses for years and we always do them up. One thing we’ve always done is wait a year before we have made any changes.”

Seasonal surprises in the garden
Just like Kate’s advice about putting a hold on internal and structural renovations, she says the gardens can be a source of pleasant surprises.

“Don’t do anything drastic in the garden because, especially this time of the year, you’re going to get spring surprises popping up out of the ground that you don’t actually know are there,” she said.

“I say to people buying a house: ‘You’ve got 12 months of oh my goshes’.
“Oh my gosh, look at what the garden’s doing. Oh my gosh, look at that flower. You’ve got 12 months of surprises and I just love that.”