Moving house is one of life’s big decisions and navigating your way through the whole process can seem daunting. But with some forward planning, insider knowledge and expert top tips, the reality of securing your dream home could be just a few simple steps away. Here’s everything you need to know for a smooth move.

Step One: Plan Ahead

Once you have made the decision to get on or move up the property ladder, then it’s time to plan ahead. High buyer demand over the last 12 months has seen homes being snapped up as soon as they come onto the market, so you’ll need to get yourself into the best position possible to ensure you secure the house of your dreams.

Smart financial planning is a good place to start. Make sure you have a firm handle on your household finances so you know what you can afford and have all the information to hand ready for your mortgage application.

Secure a mortgage offer sooner rather than later to lock in a competitive deal. An independent broker can research the market on your behalf and provide free and independent advice on the best product and deals for your individual circumstances. Check your credit report online via one of the main credit agencies and follow their advice on improving your credit score if needs be.

Step Two: Get Your Home Sale Ready

If you have a house to sell, get an early valuation and ask the estate agents for their expert opinion on how you could boost the value of your existing property. Tackle those DIY and repair jobs that you’ve been putting off and don’t forget, first impressions really do count so make sure your home has kerb appeal by tidying up the front garden, adding some additional planting and perhaps giving the front door a lick of paint.

Inside your home, try and keep things neutral and think about your target buyer and what they might want. A family might want to see the possibilities for a playroom, whereas a professional couple could be sold on one room being styled as a home office.

Moving house is a great time to declutter; it will make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and you won’t be paying a removals company to transport items you no longer need. Creating a blank canvas isn’t always easy in a busy family home (particularly if you have kids!) but investing in clever storage can help keep rooms as clear and clutter-free as possible.

Step Three: Research the market

Once you have sold your existing home, are clear on your budget and have secured a mortgage offer, it’s time to start house hunting. It’s a good idea to draw up a list of both the essentials of your next property as well as the ‘nice to haves’. No matter what your budget, there is often a need to compromise!

If you’re moving to a brand-new area then online research can provide you with information on local facilities, schools and transport links. Local Facebook pages are also a great way to find out more about the local community.  If your move isn’t too far afield, then nothing beats spending some time in a new area. Go during different times of the week to get a real feel of life in a new town or village.

If you are buying a new-build property, then you will likely be buying a home off-plan. Get in early on a development to ensure you have the pick of the plots and you’ll also be able to view professionally-designed showhomes which will not only enable you to see the layout of the house but also give you some fantastic interior design inspiration.

Step Four: Moving Day

Once you have a confirmed moving date, it’s all systems go! Book your removals company well in advance and, if you are packing yourself, it’s a good idea to tackle one room at a time.  Dismantling large furniture can be time consuming so it’s worth starting that well ahead of moving day.

On the day of the move, make sure you pack a separate box with all the essentials you will need for the first couple of days in your new home, plus a bag with essential documents, phone chargers and plenty of drinks and snacks. If you have children or pets, it’s a good idea to arrange for someone else to look after them, to ensure the day is as stress-free as possible for everyone.

Don’t forget to take final meter readings in your old home and create a list of all the organisations that will need to be informed of your change of address.

When you are finally handed the keys, everything will be worthwhile. Put on the kettle, or pop open a bottle of bubbly, and toast a brand-new chapter in your new dream home.