Along with starting a new job and organising a wedding, moving house is generally near the top of the list for most stressful life events.

The reality is that buying or selling a home can be stressful. It can seem that no matter how many times one might move house, the stress levels remain the same. But it doesn’t have to be like that. For some, moving house is the most stressful life event they’ve experienced but with careful planning, it can be a walk in the park.

What’s stressful?

A recent study of 1,000 UK homeowners confirmed that buying or selling a house is the most stressful life event. Within this, the most stressful scenario is the number of professional services people that need to be engaged with. 31 per cent of respondents finding solicitors awkward and difficult to deal with, followed by estate agents (22 per cent) and mortgage advisers/banks (14 per cent).

Over 40 per cent said the waiting game was the most stressful part of moving home, while viewings caused stress for 17 per cent of homeowners.

Yes, these situations can be seen as stressful and it’s unlikely that the process will be completely smooth. There are bound to be some hiccups, but preparation and seeking advice from the right people can make it as smooth sailing as possible.

How to lower stress when moving home

When selling a property, choosing the right estate agent is key. Make sure they are familiar and have experience in the local area and have good recommendations. Viewings were seen to cause stress in the survey but when people come to look around your home, you should see it as an opportunity. To impress would-be-buyers, preparation is vital. Be flexible with viewing times and build a strong rapport with potentials.

When buying, you want to get in close contact with and maintain a good relationship with conveyancers and sellers of the home you are viewing. Thorough research before committing to a purchase will help to keep stress levels down. Ask any questions that you have and research properly into the area. Make sure all necessary boxes are ticked before committing.

When moving day comes, it’s normal to want to stay under the bed covers. There is plenty to think about but you should have done you’re planning in the lead up to the day. Last minute packing isn’t fun so organise all you bits into boxes and make sure you label them. This makes it much easier to unpack on the other side. Also ensure you use a removal firm that is reliable and has the space needed for all your belongings.

Ultimately, a positive approach will do wonders in making the ordeal easy. When potentially stressful situations occur, don’t let things to get out of control and remember the reasons that you’re moving – that should be enough to get you to see things through.

Selling and buying homes in Harborough

Choosing the right estate agent can put your mind at ease. If you are selling or buying in the Harborough district, Naylors Estate Agents is experts in the area. Our team has a specialist knowledge of the town and surrounding villages so can propose expert advice in your move. Contact us on 01858 450 020 for more advice.