Moving Guide
Head Office
0845 308 3535
Step 1 Reservation
Moving home doesn't have to be difficult
Once you've paid your reservation fee, Anwyl are committed to holding the plot you've chosen in your name for 28 days*. This fee then becomes part of the final sale price, and will be deducted from the balance you pay when you move into your new home. If, for whatever reason, you find you're unable to exchange contracts at the end of this period, Anwyl reserve the right to put the property in question back on the market again. Your reservation fee is non-refundable, however, you can transfer this fee onto another Anwyl Home on any of our developments.
Your mortgage
If you need a mortgage and haven't yet arranged one, this is the time to make a formal application based on the buying price and details of your chosen plot. Remember, your Sales Consultant can put you in touch with an Independent Financial Advisor who can suggest the most suitable mortgage for your needs. Your adviser will also liaise with the various lenders to secure you the most favourable terms possible.
Insurance cover
When arranging a mortgage it's usual to arrange your insurance at the same time. In fact, buildings insurance is essential as it covers the actual fabric of your property, and all lenders will insist you have it. You'll also need contents insurance from the day you move in.
Contact a Solicitor
The role of your Solicitor is to make the legal aspects of buying and selling a property as straightforward as possible and to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed on time. Don't forget, if you haven't already got a Solicitor, your Sales Consultant will be able to suggest some local firms.
The personal touch
This is also the time to add those personal touches to your new Anwyl home by choosing your favourite tiles and kitchen units. Again, your Sales Consultant will have lots of samples for you to look at. Apart from these standard features, she or he can show you additional items available to order. We do recommend, however, that you let us know as soon as possible anything extra you want us to fit into your property, so that we can order them for you and include them at the appropriate building stage. You should be given a fairly good idea of when completion will take place, but please bear in mind that this is only an estimate. As work progresses, your Sales Consultant should be able to give you a more accurate date. Shortly after you've made your reservation, you'll be introduced to your Anwyl Site Manager, whose job it is to oversee the construction of your new home.
Step 2 Exchange of Contracts
This is when two identical documents, one signed by Anwyl and one by yourself, pass between the respective Solicitors. The exchange deposit should be paid to Anwyl at this time as well. After exchange, both parties are legally obliged to complete the transaction. Don't worry, your Sales Consultant will help you keep on top of everything.
Step 3 Completion
You've now reached the final stages and are just about ready to move into your brand new Anwyl home
Once you've entered into the sale by exchanging contracts, legal completion is the event when ownership of this property finally transfers to you and you can move in. After you've exchanged contracts you'll be given a guideline when the building of your new home should be finished.
Checking progress on your new home
It's only natural that you'll want to make regular visits to your new home to see how it's taking shape. Indeed, you're very welcome to do so. Before you do, call your Sales Consultant in order that she or he can check access to your new home, and a member of staff is available to escort you onto site.
Step 4 14-day Countdown
Keep track of tasks and events
Once the work on your new home is finished, a formal notice is served on your Solicitor and legal completion can take place any time within the subsequent 14 days. Your Solicitor will contact your mortgage lender to arrange a final survey of the property. By this time you should have signed the mortgage and transfer deeds. During this 14 day period, you'll be invited to make a formal inspection of your new home and confirm that you're completely satisfied with the finished result. In the unlikely event that anything is not to your satisfaction, a note will be made, and the matter attended to as quickly as possible. While making the inspection, you'll also be shown the location of your mains gas tap, mains electricity and your two water stop cocks. We'll explain how all your appliances work as well so that you can start to use them from the moment you move in.
On the day of completion
While completion is taking place there's very little for you to do. Your Solicitor will take care of everything on your behalf, with help from your Anwyl Sales Consultant. Through your Solicitor, the 'balance of monies'- i.e. the agreed selling price, less the amount of your reservation fee and the exchange deposit - will be transferred to Anwyl. It's important that the transfer of monies takes place as early in the day as possible so that there are no delays in you being able to move in. Your Sales Consultant will advise you when the money has been transferred. At the same time, key documents such as the deeds of the house will be passed on to your Solicitor. The title deed to your property will subsequently be held in safe keeping by your mortgage lender. This is the moment when you'll become the proud owner of your brand new Anwyl home
Step 5 Planning your move
The 'Big Move' needn't cause you sleepless nights. It can actually be fun if you carry out a little forward planning. Here's our guide to help you smooth your path to your new Anwyl home:
Four weeks to go.
Ring around for quotes from removal firms and appoint one. Make sure they're properly insured and establish exactly what they're prepared to do.
Start collecting packing boxes.
Make sure you have lots of newspaper, tissue or bubble wrap for padding - and remember to buy plenty of wide adhesive tape too.
Don't use very large cardboard boxes (e.g. an old fridge or dishwasher box) for packing unless the contents are extremely light. Large heavy boxes are difficult to manoeuvre and removals men won't thank you for it on the day.
Start cleaning out cupboards. If you come across something you haven't used for 18 months or more, you're unlikely to need it in your new home. So be ruthless and throw it out!
Start packing any non-essential items such as out-of-season clothing, together with your best china, glassware and ornaments. Mark the contents clearly.
Clear out the loft. Pack as many items as you can from your garage and shed.
Tell you employer when you're moving and arrange time off, if necessary.
Let everyone know that you're changing address - a useful checklist is provided here.
Arrange to have post re-directed to your new address - there's always somebody you'll overlook when you send out your change-of-address notes!
Keep all correspondence from Anwyl, your Estate Agent, your Solicitor and the removals company safely together for easy reference.
Contact your insurance company to arrange transfer of your home contents insurance on the move day. Your buildings insurance should already be in place on the day you move in.
Two weeks to go
Ensure that you run down the food in the fridge
Start running down food stocks in your freezer.
Continue to pack any items you won't need before the move.
Kitchens in particular can take an amazingly long time to pack up. So be prepared!
Arrange for someone to look after your children and pets during the move.
Contact the gas , electric , telephone and water companies to inform them of the impending move.
One week to go.
Double-check the booking you've made with your removal firm.
Keep your vacuum cleaner, dusters, polish, etc., unpacked for that last once-over on the big morning.
Cancel newspapers, milk and window cleaning and settle any bills you may have overlooked.
The day before.
Pack overnight bags for everyone and put out clothes for the following day. For children, a few favourite toys will help them settle in on the first night.
Prepare your moving day 'survival kit' containing a kettle, mugs, tea coffee, milk, sugar, teaspoons, sandwiches, snacks, biscuits, crisps, fruit, washing-up liquid, tea towels and a hand towel (not forgetting the all important toilet roll!).
Pack all your valuables such as jewellery together and carry them securely with you.
Keep the file containing all valuable documents relating to the move with you at all times in case you need to refer to them.
Keep your camera handy for those last goodbye shots of your old home, and for the first outside your new Anwyl home!
Advise the telephone company of the time you want your telephone disconnecting (or the number transferring, if you're keeping it).
Defrost the freezer and fridge (if you intend to transport the freezer and its contents intact, put it on fast-freeze overnight).
Make a list of useful telephone numbers for the new occupiers of your home, plus instructions for operating any appliances, central heating, etc.
Make sure you have cash available for unforeseen circumstances and for tipping your removals men.
Telephone your insurance company to double-check that your new contents cover will be in force on the morning of the move.
The morning of the move.
Up early - as if you'll be able to sleep!
Get breakfast quickly out of the way, wash up and pack any further items you won't need.
Telephone the gas and electric companies to give them your final meter readings.