Whether you already feel as though your family has outgrown your home or you’re looking to the future, it can be a good idea to know what to look for when upsizing your home. Buying a new property is a massive decision – not only are you looking to commit to something new financially but you’re committing to selling the home you already live in and have probably created memories in. So, when is the right time to sell and what should you be looking for?

Should I Be Moving Home?

The right time to move home is a personal decision and everyone will feel differently. If you are finding that your current home is becoming cramped and that there is not enough space for everyone, then moving home could be a way to fix this. It could be that your family has grown, or that your needs have changed –for example, someone now needs to work from home more often than they did before and so need a dedicated office space.

Once you have decided that moving house could be the right thing for you, you need to make sure that it is the right decision financially. You should get a valuation on your current home so you have an idea of what it will sell for, also research how long it will take to sell and how much similar competition is already on the housing market. You should also speak to a financial advisor and/or use online aids to calculate your payments to make sure that you can afford the commitment of a new home. Moving to a bigger house will usually result in larger monthly mortgage repayments, so you should make sure this is something you’re happy with.

The Search for a Bigger Home

When looking for a bigger home, you’ll look in much the same way you did when buying your first home. Once you have worked out what you can afford you should start to consider which area(s) you would like to live in – look at things like commutes to work and catchment areas for schools which can help you decide where is going to be a sensible place to relocate to.

Then you want to narrow down the type of house you’re looking for – for example, I’d want somewhere with a garden for the two dogs so this is a must for me. It could be that you want somewhere with a garden, an office or that an en-suite bathroom is a must for you. Make a list of the things that you feel are essential and the things that are nice but not must-haves.

Then get onto places like Rightmove and any local estate agents and register your details with them. Explain what you are looking for and when you are looking to move – they can then keep you up to date with new suitable properties that have come to the market and you can book a viewing for any that you like.