We can’t avoid the fact that moving day isn’t all fun. It is also not glamorous. What it is is emotional, exhausting and a long day for everyone. The fun bit with the champagne comes later, but you need to get through the move first. But the good news? You can make it manageable. So, we have pulled together our knowledge and experience to make this guide to help you survive the day and come out the other side with a smile still on your face.
So, the contracts are signed. Completion day is here. This is where the next chapter begins!
Moving house gets a reputation as being one of life’s biggest stress tests. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be. A little bit of preparation and knowing what to expect can make moving day surprisingly bearable, even exciting, which it should be. We want it to be a memorable milestone for you and your family. Let’s get started…
Moving day isn’t just ‘the day you move your stuff’. It is the moment a legal transaction marks the next significant chapter in your life. For buyers, it is the day you finally get the keys. For sellers, it is the final handover, the official goodbye, even if you have mentally moved out months ago. But moving day is also a bit of a dance between solicitors, estate agents, removal vans…the list really does go on. In an ideal world, timings would be perfect, and often they are, so please don’t panic. However cheesy it sounds, everything does always find a way of working itself out. And we are on hand to provide reassurance.
The Handover – for buyers
For both buyer and seller, completion day is the finish line: money changes hands and the buyer becomes the legal owner. But here is where people get caught out: completion doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone. It depends on when the funds are received and when the solicitors do their final bit of admin. It is tempting to expect everything to be done by mid-morning, but realistically, key handover often happens later. So, patience really is required, however hard that is. Sorry. The moment your solicitor confirms completion, the estate agent will get the green light to release the keys. It is the call that every single one of our clients waits for with huge anticipation. For buyers, that is your cue to do your happy dance. And we will let you into a little secret: we often do one too!
The Handover – for sellers
Handing over your house isn’t just about walking out and shutting the door. It’s about leaving it in a way you would hope to find your new place. You would be amazed how many sellers forget loft contents or leave garden sheds full of old lawnmowers. Remember to make a final check of every corner; if there are two of you, both do a walk-around, as an extra set of eyes always pays off. When it comes to essentials such as instruction manuals, spare keys, and warranty documents, leave them somewhere obvious. A folder on the worktop is sufficient.
The Boring Bits
Walking into your new home is a surreal moment, and we encourage you to savour every single second. This is what all the hard work has been about. However, there are a few practicalities that need addressing, such as checking that everything works and ensuring that there are no urgent repairs. It sounds basic (and a bit boring), but you will want to catch any surprises early. Take a photo of gas, electric, and water meters as soon as you can. This will save you from future bill disputes. Also, locate the stopcock, fuse box, and boiler. Knowing where these are before there is an emergency is one of those things that can save a headache later.
Did you know that there is an art to moving? The key is to pack systematically and avoid the temptation to just chuck everything in a box to sort through later. Trust us when we say you will regret that decision. Ensure that essentials are accessible first (kettle, mugs, phone chargers, etc). Labelling boxes might feel tedious, but that extra time will save you loads later. You really don’t want to spend two hours searching for that missing loo roll.
Keep Calm And Enjoy The Ride
Even with military-level planning, moving day has a way of throwing curveballs, and these things happen more often than you would think. If you can accept that moving day might not be minute-perfect, and throw in a little flexibility and positive mindset, you will deal with surprises much better. Also, don’t hesitate to lean on your estate agent. We are not just here to hand over keys; we are your venting board. If something feels off, please pick up the phone, as the chances are, we have seen it before and know how to nudge things along and find a stress-free resolution…or at least guarantee to give 100% trying.
It Is An Emotional Rollercoaster
For sellers, it is common to feel a wave of emotion when you close that door for the last time. It is perfectly normal, so allow yourself a moment of reflection and look forward to what’s coming next, as it is the start of a new chapter. For buyers, stepping into a place that is still full of someone else’s memories can feel a little strange. But remember that soon enough you will be making your own memories there. It is easy to get bogged down in logistics and forget that moving day is meant to be an exciting milestone. The real win is getting through it with a smile on your face. As estate agents, we have been lucky enough to support thousands of people through their moving day and every time, it is a privilege to hand over those keys.
What is our best advice? Keep your mobile close, stay in touch with your estate agent and don’t book any non-refundable services for the morning. Flexibility is your best friend. So, take a deep breath on moving day and enjoy the ride. You have got this.
So, the contracts are signed. Completion day is here. This is where the next chapter begins!
Moving house gets a reputation as being one of life’s biggest stress tests. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be. A little bit of preparation and knowing what to expect can make moving day surprisingly bearable, even exciting, which it should be. We want it to be a memorable milestone for you and your family. Let’s get started…
Moving day isn’t just ‘the day you move your stuff’. It is the moment a legal transaction marks the next significant chapter in your life. For buyers, it is the day you finally get the keys. For sellers, it is the final handover, the official goodbye, even if you have mentally moved out months ago. But moving day is also a bit of a dance between solicitors, estate agents, removal vans…the list really does go on. In an ideal world, timings would be perfect, and often they are, so please don’t panic. However cheesy it sounds, everything does always find a way of working itself out. And we are on hand to provide reassurance.
The Handover – for buyers
For both buyer and seller, completion day is the finish line: money changes hands and the buyer becomes the legal owner. But here is where people get caught out: completion doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone. It depends on when the funds are received and when the solicitors do their final bit of admin. It is tempting to expect everything to be done by mid-morning, but realistically, key handover often happens later. So, patience really is required, however hard that is. Sorry. The moment your solicitor confirms completion, the estate agent will get the green light to release the keys. It is the call that every single one of our clients waits for with huge anticipation. For buyers, that is your cue to do your happy dance. And we will let you into a little secret: we often do one too!
The Handover – for sellers
Handing over your house isn’t just about walking out and shutting the door. It’s about leaving it in a way you would hope to find your new place. You would be amazed how many sellers forget loft contents or leave garden sheds full of old lawnmowers. Remember to make a final check of every corner; if there are two of you, both do a walk-around, as an extra set of eyes always pays off. When it comes to essentials such as instruction manuals, spare keys, and warranty documents, leave them somewhere obvious. A folder on the worktop is sufficient.
The Boring Bits
Walking into your new home is a surreal moment, and we encourage you to savour every single second. This is what all the hard work has been about. However, there are a few practicalities that need addressing, such as checking that everything works and ensuring that there are no urgent repairs. It sounds basic (and a bit boring), but you will want to catch any surprises early. Take a photo of gas, electric, and water meters as soon as you can. This will save you from future bill disputes. Also, locate the stopcock, fuse box, and boiler. Knowing where these are before there is an emergency is one of those things that can save a headache later.
Did you know that there is an art to moving? The key is to pack systematically and avoid the temptation to just chuck everything in a box to sort through later. Trust us when we say you will regret that decision. Ensure that essentials are accessible first (kettle, mugs, phone chargers, etc). Labelling boxes might feel tedious, but that extra time will save you loads later. You really don’t want to spend two hours searching for that missing loo roll.
Keep Calm And Enjoy The Ride
Even with military-level planning, moving day has a way of throwing curveballs, and these things happen more often than you would think. If you can accept that moving day might not be minute-perfect, and throw in a little flexibility and positive mindset, you will deal with surprises much better. Also, don’t hesitate to lean on your estate agent. We are not just here to hand over keys; we are your venting board. If something feels off, please pick up the phone, as the chances are, we have seen it before and know how to nudge things along and find a stress-free resolution…or at least guarantee to give 100% trying.
It Is An Emotional Rollercoaster
For sellers, it is common to feel a wave of emotion when you close that door for the last time. It is perfectly normal, so allow yourself a moment of reflection and look forward to what’s coming next, as it is the start of a new chapter. For buyers, stepping into a place that is still full of someone else’s memories can feel a little strange. But remember that soon enough you will be making your own memories there. It is easy to get bogged down in logistics and forget that moving day is meant to be an exciting milestone. The real win is getting through it with a smile on your face. As estate agents, we have been lucky enough to support thousands of people through their moving day and every time, it is a privilege to hand over those keys.
What is our best advice? Keep your mobile close, stay in touch with your estate agent and don’t book any non-refundable services for the morning. Flexibility is your best friend. So, take a deep breath on moving day and enjoy the ride. You have got this.