One In Ten People Stay In A Home They Hate For 3 Years Or More

One In Ten People Stay In A Home They Hate For 3 Years Or More - TV Property Expert Sarah Beeny Offers Top Tips On Getting A Move On

Thousands of Britons stay in properties they hate for years before actually making a move.

While the average time people remain in a flat or house they do not like is 14 months, one in ten do not get round to scratching those itchy feet for more than three years.

One in five simply cannot face the upheaval of moving home, while for more than one in four the costs involved with moving and the pressure to save up enough money for the deposit on their dream home delay any thoughts of relocating.

And the pressures on those desperate to sell up and move on is making thousands feel anxious.



Property expert and TV show host Sarah Beeny said: “It’s interesting to uncover the amount of time Brits are willing to stay in properties they no longer want to be in before making a move and the main reasons why.



“That really demonstrates that making a move from a property you no longer like to somewhere you do is worth the time, effort and costs that come with buying a new home.”



Her online estate agent, Tepilo, spoke to more than 2,000 Britons who have either bought in the past year, are in the process of buying or are planning to buy within the next 12 months.



The research showed the top three things those surveyed disliked the most about their last property was it being too small (29%), not liking the area it was in (20%) and not having a big enough garden (17%).



It also revealed that more than three in ten (31%) have moved out or sold a home when we personally didn’t want to. Topping the reasons why was a relationship or marriage break up (23%), having to relocate for work (22%) and moving because our partner wanted to (20%).



TOP TIPS WHEN CONSIDERING A HOUSE MOVE

1: Think carefully - the British obsession with being a homeowner, to climbing that property ladder can sometimes cloud your judgment. Ask yourself can you really afford it - is it worth stretching your finances to breaking point for a fourth bedroom, do you really need that big a garden? Have you taken into account the mortgage arrangement fee, legal fees, searches, removal company, stamp duty etc? Use online mortgage and buyers’ guides for advice. 

2: Think even more carefully - if you’ve done your financial homework and the sums all add up, ask if this house really is the ‘right’ one. Is it close to good schools, is it on the ‘right’ side of town, what about crime, amenities, is there a whopping new housing estate planned at the end of your garden? If it’s a new town to you, why not stay in a B&B or an Airbnb place overnight to check it out. Is the house on the for right price - or is it way overvalued?



3: It’s in the detail - before putting in an offer, pump the agent (and/or vendor) for answers: how long has it been on the market, any disputes with the neighbours, how much are the bills, how old is the boiler/wiring and when were they last inspected/serviced, what’s the parking like, renovations etc. If it’s a flat, who lives upstairs/downstairs, how long is the lease? Get what fixtures and fittings are staying in writing.

4: Stay calm - you might fall in love with the property at first sight but try to stay detached. Visit it at different times of the day - you could find at night a dozen more cars parked up on kerbs outside and music thumping out from No.4. Look at the home with a cold, calculating eye - is that damp? Why does that door not open? It’s a bit chilly in here, is the boiler working OK? Can you get a good signal on your mobile?

5: Future shock - this will most likely not be your forever home, in which case, is there room to extend? If it’s been on the market for some time ask yourself why?



6: Our survey said - for older properties, it’s worth getting a thorough survey carried out. If it shows up any glaring work that needs to be done, get professional quotes and ask for it to be completed by the vendor or knocked off the asking price. On new builds, hassle the developer to correct anything before moving in.



7: Freehold - check the leases. How long has the lease got to run, what extra charges does the holder insist you pay, could you buy the freehold?



8: Floody hell - various parts of Britain have been hit by major floods in recent winters, so check the flood risk - it can add thousands to your insurance quote.

9: Find your voice - don’t be shy when viewing properties, open cupboards, look under rugs, ask as many questions as you want, you’re making a huge financial commitment here. If in any doubt, you can pull out up until contracts are exchanged. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t go ahead just because you feel you might upset someone.

 

Happy Investing

Source:Yahoo.com