Deciding to move house is not something that a homeowner will come to lightly. On average, a homeowner will consider moving house for up to a year before taking the plunge and putting their home on the market.

And that big decision often comes to the fore around New Year. A time when we all make resolutions to improve our habits, set goals for the year ahead and make plans. If you have been thinking about moving house, the new year will likely be the catalyst to set the wheels in motion.

And so, after the leftovers are all finished, the Quality Streets and Baileys have been polished off, and the decorations are all cleared away, we begin a new year with new intentions. And the time has come to get your home on the market. So, what should you do first?

1. Declutter, stage and style - as you take the decorations down and give everything a good clean, consider the staging of your property and how it might look in photographs. Because Santa has brought more things into the house over the festive period, it makes sense to clear away some old stuff to make way for the new. And so, this is the perfect opportunity to declutter and reorganise things so that your home is ready to show to prospective buyers.
2. DIY jobs - get those little DIY tasks done. Leaving loose door handles or paint swatches on walls when you market your home for sale can create an impression that your home is not ready to move into, and a buyer will have work to do if they were to buy it. This will lead to tougher negotiations and likely lower offers. Tackling these jobs could increase your home's potential sale price and can usually be done over a weekend.
3. Find out the value of your home - the festive break is probably not the best time to arrange a full property valuation. You might still have family staying, all the kids are off school, and some agents might have reduced working hours, making arranging appointments a little tricky. And then, when things get back to normal in January, you are busy back at work. But don't panic. You can get an estimate of the value of your home online without having to wait for an appointment or even have a visit from an agent. Simply head over to our website homepage and click the link for an instant valuation of your property in less than 60 seconds. This convenient online tool puts the power in your hands, giving you an idea of your property value without the need for a visit from an agent.
4. Consider what you are looking for from a new home and register your details on our website to set up 'Heads Up' alerts. These alerts will keep you informed of new properties that come onto the market during this notoriously busy time of year, ensuring you are among the first to know about potential homes that match your criteria.
5. Arrange your in-person property valuation. This is your first step to getting your home on the market for sale, and it makes sense to launch when there are plenty of buyers searching, which often happens in the new year. This in-person valuation, conducted by our team of experienced professionals, will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your property's value, giving you the confidence to proceed with your sale.

If you are ready to put your property sale and moving plans into action, complete your instant property valuation. Simply visit our website, click the link for an instant valuation, and follow the prompts to provide the necessary details about your property. Then, register your details for Heads Up alerts to be the first to know about newly instructed properties that suit your needs and get in touch with our team of property experts to arrange that all-important in-person valuation appointment.