Category: Buyers

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Falling in Love with the Right Home

How to Make the Most of Your Property Viewings

Viewing a home is a little like a first date – there’s anticipation, a flurry of excitement, and maybe even a few butterflies. But unlike dating, when it comes to house hunting, we’re here to help make sure it’s love at first sight (or at least a well-informed decision!).

Whether you’re a seasoned property pro or taking your very first steps onto the ladder, our expert team has put together some friendly, down-to-earth tips to help you make the most of every property viewing.

1. Know What You Can’t Live Without

Before you pop on your shoes and head out the door, take a few moments to define your must-haves. These are the features that your new home has to tick off – whether it’s three bedrooms, a garden for the kids (or the dog!), or walking distance to local schools. Knowing your non-negotiables will help you quickly rule properties in – or out – with confidence.

2. Don’t Let the Décor Distract You

It’s easy to be swayed by a stylish sofa or a perfectly-placed candle, but try to look beyond the surface. Focus on the things that are harder (and more costly) to change – like the condition of the roof, windows, plumbing, and heating systems. Ask about the age of key features like boilers or insulation. Future-proofing starts with knowing what you’re buying.

3. Take a Tour of the Neighbourhood

It’s not just about the house – it’s about the lifestyle it offers. Take time to explore the local area. What’s the traffic like at different times of the day? Are there parks, cafes, or shops nearby? How close is it to your commute or your children’s school? Viewing a home at different times of day can offer valuable insights into whether the location truly suits your needs.

4. See the Potential

Not every home will tick every box straight away – and that’s okay. Look for opportunities to make a space your own. Could a coat of paint modernise the kitchen? Might knocking through a wall open up a whole new flow? We’ve seen plenty of “rough diamonds” become dream homes with a bit of vision and elbow grease.

5. Ask (All) the Questions

We mean it – there’s no such thing as a silly question. Our job is to make sure you’re well-informed and confident in your choices. Ask about the property’s history, how long it’s been on the market, why the current owners are moving, and whether any nearby developments are planned. A good conversation can reveal just as much as a good look around.

6. Trust Your Gut

Sometimes, you just know. That feeling when you walk into a room and instantly feel at home? Don’t ignore it. Equally, if something feels off or doesn’t quite align with your priorities, it’s okay to walk away. The right property won’t just tick the boxes – it will feel right too.

Final Thoughts

Property viewings are a key part of the journey to finding your next home – and they should be enjoyable! At Yvonne Fitzgerald Properties, we’re here to guide you with clarity, honesty, and a few decades of experience under our belts. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, we’re always happy to help you take the next step with confidence.

Happy house hunting – and here’s to finding the perfect place to call home!

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The Essential Moving Day Checklist

Moving house is undoubtedly exciting but it is well known that it is one of the top 3 most stressful events in someone’s life.  It can be challenging to keep track of all the tasks that need to be completed and the supplies needed for a successful move.  For people moving home, it’s important to have an organised checklist that to help ensure a smooth and successful move.  So, we thought we’d outline the essential moving day checklist to keep people moving home on track with the tasks that need to be completed and help ensure everything is remembered and help keep the stress to a minimum.  The list includes both pre-moving items and items that must be completed on the day of the move.

Pre-Moving Checklist

It’s important to have a pre-moving checklist to ensure all the necessary preparations for the move are taken care of before moving day. Here are some essential items that should be included on your pre-moving checklist:

  • Change address: Make sure to notify all relevant parties (work, post office, credit card companies, telephone, internet etc.) of your new address.
  • Arrange transportation: This includes renting a truck or van if necessary, as well as arranging for any additional help you may need, such as a removal company.
  • Insurance: research and ensure you have the relevant insurance to cover any accidents whilst moving.
  • Obtain boxes and packing supplies: Make sure to have enough boxes and packing supplies on hand before the move.
  • Create a moving day survival kit: This should include items like toiletries, snacks, and any other essentials you may need during the move.
  • Take measurements of the new home: This will help you ensure all your furniture will fit in your new home.
  • Make arrangements for pets: If you have pets, make sure to make arrangements for them on the day of the move.
  • Create a floor plan and take pictures of each room: Once you get to your new home, this will help you decide where to place furniture and other items.
  • Take inventory of items: It’s important to keep track of all your belongings before and after the move to prevent any losses or damage. This includes taking photographs of your furniture etc to ensure no damage is done in the move.
  • Disconnect utilities: Make sure to disconnect all utilities at your old home before the move. 
  • Back up important data: Make sure to back up any important documents or data before the move in case anything gets lost during the process.
  • Arrange a post redirection with the Royal Mail.
  • Label boxes: Labelling boxes with their contents and destination room will make it easier to unload and unpack later on.
  • Pack an open immediately box: Put your kettle, some mugs/cups, tea bags, coffee, biscuits and snacks in a box and make sure it is well labelled so that you can easily identify it.

Moving Day Checklist

On the day of the move, there are some essential tasks that need to be completed for everything to go smoothly. Some essential items that should be included on your moving day checklist are:

  • Pack an overnight bag: This should include all the essentials you’ll need for the first night in your new home.
  • Take the final meter readings of your old home and meter readings in your new home and pass them onto the relevant suppliers.
  • Load the moving truck: If you are doing the move yourself, or helping, make sure all items are securely loaded onto the truck before heading off to your new home.
  • Clean the old place: Make sure all areas are cleaned before leaving your old home. Take photographs of the empty rooms to show the condition you have left them in.
  • Check your essential moving day personal items: List to include – important documents (e.g., passports, birth certificates, bank account information etc., phones and charger packs, medication, essential cleaning materials, toilet paper, your overnight bag, snacks and water, something to amuse the children(!), torch, tape measure, any valuables, heirlooms or irreplaceable items, towels.
  • Unload the moving truck: Once you get to your new home, unload all items from the truck in an organised manner.
  • Unpack your open immediately box: There’s nothing worse than taking a break from all your hard work without a much-needed cup of tea and a biscuit and wondering which box they are packed away in.
  • Set up bed: Making sure your bed is set up first is essential for a successful first night in your new home.
  • Connect utilities: Ensure all utilities are connected at your new home before settling in.
  • Return rental equipment: Any rental equipment should be returned on time to avoid extra charges or fees.

Phew!

It seems a lot, but having a checklist is essential for a successful move. It helps keep track of all tasks that need to be completed, both before and on moving day and ensures everything is remembered along the way. We hope this blog post has helped you prepare for a successful move!

If you are thinking about selling your home, please do get in touch for your free market valuation.

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What is a Home Report?

The Home Report system started in Scotland in 2008 and was designed to provide potential buyers with essential information about the property’s condition and value.  The report is broken into 3 sections:

1. Single Survey and Valuation

A chartered surveyor will visit the property and carry out a visual inspection to assess the condition and accessibility and also identify any repairs that may be needed so that potential buyers can understand any work that might need to be carried out.  They will look at the outside and the inside of the home and assess each area from 1. Satisfactory to 3. Essential Work Required and will highlight any urgent repairs.  The valuation section gives the market value of the property, which mortgage brokers use when arranging a mortgage, and also an estimated reinstatement cost for insurance purposes.

2. Energy Performance Certificate

The EPC gives information on how energy efficient your home is and also gives average costs for heating, hot water and electricity.  The EPC also highlights where energy efficient savings could be made through recommended measures such as improving insulation. .

3. Property Questionnaire

Split into 16 categories this section is completed by the owner and gives details which prospective buyers could find useful such as council tax band, parking arrangements, central heating and alterations made.

How long does a Home Report last?

A Home Report can not be older than 12 weeks when you put the property on the market, but there is no “expiry date”.  However, lenders generally will not accept a Home Report that is older than 12 weeks for mortgage purposes so a Home Report refresh may be require when a property is sold.

How Much Does a Home Report Cost?

The cost of a Home Report varies, depending on the location and value of the property. 

Do all properties need a Home Report?

There are some instances where a home may not require a Home Report such as new houses sold off-plan to their first occupiers, homes which fall under commercial use as they run a business from there eg a Bed & Breakfast or those deemed uninhabitable.