Moving day and settling in

Moving day and settling in

Your solicitor confirms the money has been transferred to the seller's solicitor, and once that is confirmed, you are legally the owner. Keys are usually released once your solicitor confirms completion has taken place, so there can be a short wait even on the day itself. It is worth not booking your removal van for first thing in the morning.

What happens on completion day
Your solicitor confirms the money has been transferred to the seller's solicitor, and once that is confirmed, you are legally the owner. Keys are usually released once your solicitor confirms completion has taken place, so there can be a short wait even on the day itself. It is worth not booking your removal van for first thing in the morning.

A simple moving day checklist
Take meter readings as soon as you get the keys, for gas, electricity and water. Check the property matches what you expected from your last viewing, since fixtures and fittings should match what was agreed. Keep important documents, ID and your mortgage offer, somewhere easy to find rather than packed in a box. Redirect your post if you have not already arranged this.

Settling in
The first few weeks in a new home are a good time to register with a local GP and dentist, find out your bin collection days, and introduce yourself to neighbours if that feels right for you. If you have moved into one of the villages we cover, a look around the local shops, pubs and community groups is a good way to start feeling properly settled rather than just moved in.

That brings you to the end of this series. Buying your first home is a genuinely big step, and we hope these five weeks have made it feel a little less daunting. If you ever have a property question in future, whether you are thinking of moving again in a few years or simply want some advice, our door is always open.



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If your home is still on the market and has not sold, it is worth pausing to ask why, rather than assuming there is nothing to be done. A property listed for a while without success is usually telling you something, about the price, the marketing, or the level of service behind it, and it pays to find out what before more time passes.

Accepting an offer can feel like the finish line, but it is really the start of the next stage, and it is often where things are most likely to go wrong if nobody is actively managing them on your behalf.

If you have found the last few pieces useful, you might be wondering what actually happens when you book a proper valuation with us. Here is exactly what to expect, step by step, so there are no surprises.

Thinking of buying or selling this year? Before you make any decisions, read our latest Midlands Property Market Update. We've combined two of the industry's leading reports to explain what's really happening with house prices, buyer demand, mortgage rates and the local market.