Director of Northwood & Morgans, Kate Gwinnutt talks about her experiences of helping families move home in Rhiwbina and beyond
Are you thinking about moving house? Is your current home too big, too small, or just not quite right for you and your family? Maybe it’s a dream job or the need to be close to someone special?
Moving home is often a complex decision, one most homeowners take time to make. If you have spent a lot of effort and money on making your current home just right, it can be hard to walk away.
Whatever your reason for moving house, the decision to stay or go focuses not just on the hard-headed realities of costs, fees, timescales and investment returns – as important as they are – but also on the emotional pulls guiding us through one of the most important decisions of our life.
Having helped families across Rhiwbina and Cardiff, chatting across living room coffee tables and kitchen worktops, I’ve identified the strongest emotional factors homeowners experience when making their next move.
Family first
A few years on from getting on the property ladder, the house you saved hard for is now a home for your expanding family. Maybe the tiny baby who kept you up at night has been joined by brothers and sisters? Perhaps a bigger house would give them all their own space? Or a larger garden to run around in?
Empty nester?
If however, you’re soon to be an empty nester, why waste money on space you don’t need? Why not downsize to a smaller home or apartment to free up cash not just on your mortgage but also on utilities, repairs, cleaning time, and more?
Your storage space is fit to burst
We all love a good de-clutter and spring clean, especially in the new year, but sometimes all that sorting makes you realise your storage space no longer fits your lifestyle. If your cupboards, closets, nooks and crannies are fit to burst, it may be time to accept you just need more space.
Lifestyle changes
Maybe your passion is no longer just a hobby but a fledgling new business you need space at home for? Perhaps you’re ready to take the plunge, go freelance and start working from a dedicated studio space? If your current circumstances don’t allow for these new opportunities, perhaps it’s time to find a home that will accommodate the office or work space your new career demands. Moving to a new place could be just the spark you’re looking for!
New challenges
Of course you may be similar to the buyers I often meet who are looking to fix up a home – but once the work and remodelling is complete, are you ready to move onto the next project? Perhaps you’re somebody who prefers nothing better than selling up and moving on to the next fixer-upper?
The kitchen you’ve always dreamed of
We’re not all master chefs but if you are, or aspire to be, then perhaps a state-of-the-art kitchen with big shiny surfaces, built-in appliances and the latest culinary tech is all the inspiration you need? Maybe you’re looking for a brand new home with kitchen space to be proud of? A space to show off when socialising or make into the heart of daily life?
No more commuting
Commuting to and from work takes hours out of your week. Rather than wasting time in your car or on the train, buying a new home – better suited to your work life balance – means spending more time with your family, enjoying life, doing more of whatever you want to do.
Finding love
A new relationship doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suddenly time to pack up and move in. But if you’re seriously considering something permanent, buying a new home you can enjoy together is often a logical step. If you or your partner already own homes but want to move in together, one or both of you might need to sell quickly or consider letting their property under a managed or guaranteed rent scheme.
Do you recognise yourself or these emotional pulls when planning your next move? Or do you have an entirely different reason for putting your home on the market? Drop me a line on 02920 512400 and let me know. I’d love to hear about your moving story and how we can help you.
P.S. if you’d like to donate to one of the great local charities and causes we support let us know.
1A & 1B Heol Y Deri, Rhiwbina,
Cardiff, CF14 6HA
02920 301141
www.northwooduk.com