Thinking about moving house? Making the decision to move home is a major lifestyle change and one that needs careful consideration. It is both exciting and daunting but ultimately moving home from one that doesn’t work for you anymore can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make as an adult.
Maybe your family has grown since you bought your current house or conversely, some of your family members may have moved out. Outgrowing your living space is a clear indication that your home may be due an upgrade. There are other signs to look out for that prove house hunting may be overdue.
Perhaps your plans for extending your home have been nixed or the way you use your space has evolved. Lifestyle changes can play a large part in determining whether your home is still fit for purpose, such as needing a home office or having different accessibility requirements. Simply wanting a more efficient and cost-effective home to manage can also leave you feeling emotionally over your existing home.
Let’s look at some of the most common reasons to move house to see if you can recognise these symptoms.
1. Lifestyle Changes
Changes to your lifestyle have an impact on the suitability of your home. Major upheaval such as a new job, new partner or a new arrival can mean your house is no longer quite right for your needs. Needing more space is one of the top reasons to move, a study in the UK found. Unfortunately, another common reason for moving is the breakdown of a relationship or marriage, with relocation for a job cited as another driving factor for moving home.
When looking for new homes, examining your current lifestyle expectations and expected future considerations is key for ensuring your home move is successful. If you have children, then considering local schools, transport links and amenities will be important to many parents. Similarly, if you work from home then finding a location with a thriving community is an excellent way to socialise with new neighbours.
Changes in accessibility requirements are another consideration when thinking about moving home. Close proximity to a pharmacy, medical centre or hospital might be important, as will ensuring your home caters to your changing needs.
Take time to think about not only what you require from your home now, but what you might expect from your home in 2, 5 or 10 years’ time. Buying a new house is a big deal but trying to futureproof your decision will make sure your new home continues to work with your lifestyle long after you’ve moved in.
2. Space Issues
As mentioned above, needing more space is one of the most common reasons to move. You might have bought your first home as a young couple and as your family has expanded, so has the amount of stuff you need and suddenly, your lovely home is cramped and overpopulated. Children and pets can take up quite a lot of space and as your family grows, your home really needs to keep up.
Genesis Homes specialise in homes that have modern layouts, multiple bathrooms and flexible spaces that can be used in different ways. One of the benefits of buying a new build home for an expanding family is that new houses are more suited to modern living, with larger communal areas and the potential to shift spaces as your needs evolve over time.
For those with too much room, downsizing is another excellent reason to move. Smaller new homes are more energy efficient, more affordable to run and need a lot less cleaning – perfect for those whose families have left the nest.
3. Maintenance Fatigue
More people are choosing to extend their home than ever before. This is especially true when your house is in a good area, has excellent local provision and you have strong ties to your neighbours and local community. However, not everyone has the opportunity to expand their existing house. Planning permission is required for major changes and extensions can be expensive and invasive, if permitted.
Older houses also require much more maintenance than new homes. Damp, mould, subsidence, cracks, poor insulation and inefficient windows and doors all require money to fix. Repairs and renovations take their toll on your time, wallet and home life and it can feel that there is a never-ending stream of issues with some older houses.
If home improvements are not on the cards for your existing house, this can be a strong indication that moving is a better option. Maintenance fatigue is a real condition that can lead to feelings of doubt, dissatisfaction and disillusionment with your house. These feelings are a strong indication that it’s time to move.
You can read more about new build homes versus older homes in our blog, but one thing is for sure – new build homes do not require anywhere near the amount of repairs an older house needs.
4. Financial Reasons
Moving home can be a financial astute decision, especially if your circumstances have changed. If your house needs a lot of upkeep and your income isn’t up to the task then looking for a new home will save you time, money and stress. Equally, if you’re in a large, inefficient home that costs a lot to run, moving house to a modern home that is more energy efficient, and therefore more affordable, will also save funds.
Whether you’re looking to release some equity, downsize, reduce your expenses or the cost of repairs are too expensive, these signs are all reasons to move home. Buying a new build home will save you money on maintenance, be cheaper to run and will be more energy efficient as standard. If your financial situation has changed and you’re looking for a more affordable lifestyle, then a Genesis new home might just be the ticket.
5. Neighbourhood Nuisance
New neighbours can alter the way you feel about your house, for better or for worse. Neighbours that are noisy, destructive, rude or hostile can make your home feel like an unhappy place, especially if you live in a semi-detached or terraced house.
Lack of local amenities, poor transport links and inadequate parking can make life that bit harder for those who live in poorly served areas. If your neighbourhood doesn’t work for you, then consider moving home to a better location that offers more of the services you require within easy reach.
You can’t usually choose your neighbours, but new developments are typically made up of people who have moved from older houses to benefit from newer, more modern homes. This could be a good opportunity for a fresh start in a new location, giving you the chance to fall back in love with your refuge and local community. Genesis Homes are dedicated to ensuring our developments provide a sense of community and support general wellbeing with green open spaces for recreation and plans in the pipeline for community-led areas on future developments.
What to look for in a new home
When moving house, you want to look for a home that reflects your future not your past. Think about your future requirements and look for new homes that include all the details that will satisfy your lifestyle upgrade. Think larger rooms, more bedrooms, less bedrooms, more bathrooms, a downstairs WC or a garden that suits your downtime. Parking is not always guaranteed but with new build homes, parking for at least one car is often planned into a new development to cater for the requirements of busy modern families.
Some of the top items on new homes wish lists include separate utility rooms, ensuite bathrooms, built-in storage and open plan kitchens. With a new build, you’re more likely to find these features as newer homes are designed around our lifestyles.
New homes with Genesis
The joy of moving into a completely new home is unrivalled. With a new build, no one has slept there before, the bathroom is pristine, and the kitchen has never been used. Your new home is both a blank canvas and a fresh start. Moving home is exciting and challenging in equal measure but nothing beats your first night in a brand new home.
So, what are you waiting for – check out our latest new developments to find your next new home. Break the cycle today and find a home that works for you.
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