Whether you want to downsize, get a bigger home, or are a first-time buyer looking to get on the property ladder, how do you know when it is the right time to move?

Deciding to move home is a difficult decision, and you are not alone.

In January 2023, approximately 309,000 households in the UK wanted to move to another home, according to Statista Research Department. 

But how do you know when the time is right for you to move? Of course, there are economic factors to consider, such as interest rates, but when we look at the personal reasons why people choose to move, we often hear the same responses. 

Here are five key signs that it is time to move.

1. Your home is starting to feel too small (OR BIG).

This is one of the most common things we hear from our customers. Either their family is growing, and they need the extra space, or for some, their homes are starting to feel very big and empty, and they are looking to downsize. 

Whether you are looking for a 3-bed home for a growing family or a 1-2-bed home for downsizing, new-build developments are a great option. These developments typically offer a variety of home sizes, from spacious to compact, as well as on-site amenities with surrounding vibrant communities. 

Our recent development Hoo Farm Way in Minster, Thanet, features 18 x private 2 and 3 bedroom homes and 7 x 2 bedroom homes offered through the shared ownership scheme. Each home is finished to a high standard and fully fitted, with flooring and appliances, private parking and landscaped gardens laid to seed.  The homes have been designed to bring you the best of modern country living, whether it be your first time, a move for the family or downsizing.

2. Maintenance is becoming too much.

Does your home require a lot of maintenance and repair? If so, this can be a strong reason for deciding to move. Older properties would have been built according to older building regulations and may require more ongoing maintenance and repair as they age. 

If this is one of the main reasons you decide to move, then a new build would be better suited to your needs. New builds are built to the latest building regulations and therefore, require very little maintenance and repair so you can get back to enjoying your home and not dreading the long list of DIY work.

3. You want to reduce your bills.

Similar to the previous point,  older homes can be more expensive to run weekly or monthly. This is due primarily to being built to older building standards for example, the level of insulation that was required decades ago is much less than now, and so older homes might take longer to heat and not retain the heat as well as a new build.

This is another reason new builds might be a winner for your next home. According to the House Builders Federation (HBF), new-build homebuyers save over £400 million a year in energy bills and collectively reduce carbon emissions by over 500,000 tonnes.

Read more about the sustainability of new builds. 

4. You want to reside in a specific school catchment area. 

Research* found that parents (and perhaps even would-be parents) are prepared to pay, on average, an additional £26k to buy a property within the catchment area of a top-performing school over one which is in a neighbouring area, out of catchment.  

This is becoming an increasing consideration for new or growing families. Our new exclusive development coming up in St. Leonards-on-sea features 8 x 4 and 5 bed family homes in the catchment area of fantastic schools, so if you are looking for a home in a school catchment area, you should also consider new builds that are coming in the future. These may align with the timeframe your children will be entering school.

Hoo Farm plots 12 13 14
hoo farm plots 3 4 5

5. You have fallen out of love with your current home 

Finally, you may have just fallen out of love with your current home and want a change of scenery. This is perfectly normal, and it happens. You may want a change in lifestyle or a fresh start, and you will be surprised how often we hear this as a reason to move to one of our developments. 

If you are looking for a slower pace of life in the beautiful countryside, we have a stunning development coming soon to Cranbrook of  27 newly built energy efficient 1,2- & 3-bedroom homes along the restoration of a Grade II Listed Cottage. Learn more. 

Conclusion

If you feel any of the above, it might be time to move to a new build.  

We have new build developments in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Check them out now: https://roddynewhomes.co.uk/current-developments/ 

For more information about Roddy New Homes, get in touch:

W: https://roddynewhomes.co.uk

E: [email protected]   


* https://www.propertypriceadvice.co.uk/moving-home/school-catchment-house-price