Leading housebuilder reveals the most significant barriers and stresses when moving home
80% of sellers see the total time it takes to move stressful, with almost 60% considering a lack of time a barrier to moving
Just one quarter of sellers see macroeconomic factors such as Brexit as a significant barrier to moving
Redrow’s assisted moving scheme, Help to Sell, aims to overcome the barriers and stresses of home moving
The inability to sell their current property quickly enough is considered to be a barrier to moving home for 71% of UK adults, according to the latest research by leading housebuilder Redrow.
The research, which surveyed the views of 2,000 UK adults on what they consider to be the barriers to and most stressful aspects of moving to a new house, revealed time as a key bugbear. Almost 60% of respondents believe a lack of time available to dedicate to dealing with estate agents, solicitors and paperwork is a barrier to moving. This figure increased to 70% for those looking to sell their first home.
Eight in ten (80%) also stated that the significant amount of time the end-to-end process of moving takes is stressful. This increased marginally to 81% for those selling a property for the second or more time and moving into a larger property.
However nationally, the combined monetary costs of elements like stamp duty land tax and estate agent and solicitors’ fees, were considered by the highest number of respondents (82%) as a stressful factor associated with moving.
Interestingly, when asked about the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as Brexit uncertainty, on their ability to move home, just 25% considered this a significant barrier. This figure fell to just 4% for investors selling a property they do not currently live in.
Redrow is aiming to overcome the barriers and stresses of home moving with its Help to Sell scheme. Help to Sell is available to all existing homeowners, helping to make their move easier by introducing buyers to our dedicated Help to Sell agents – increasing the chances of making a sale and ensuring buyers don’t miss out on their dream home. Redrow will also work with the agent on marketing activity to help to sell the homes as quickly as possible to ensure the buyer can reserve the plot of their choice. The scheme is open to all Redrow home buyers, no matter whether they are moving up or down the property ladder, and at no extra cost. In many cases Redrow will also contribute toward the estate agent fees.
Claire Jarvis, Group Sales Director at Redrow, commented: “Anyone who has ever undertaken a house move will agree it’s one of the most challenging life events, both physically and emotionally. Not only can it be incredibly lengthy and time-consuming but, as shown from our latest research, the financial element and the negotiation with various parties can be extremely stressful.
“Through our Help to Sell scheme, we are attempting to relieve some of the main barriers and stresses for those looking to move into their dream Redrow home. Our model is based on providing sellers with up to three estate agents to help them gain maximum exposure for their property, with a dedicated team available to assist them throughout the whole process, from valuation of their current property to completion of their Redrow home.”
MovingMadeEasy, one of the assisted move agents who facilitate Redrow’s Help to Sell scheme, estimates that 85% of their properties are sold within 35 days. This compares to a 65 day average across the country.
Olivia Thurston, who recently made the move using Help to Sell to The Mulberries, Redrow’s development in the Essex town of Witham, along with her husband, commented: “Help to Sell made our move a dream. The joined-up approach between Redrow and our estate agent meant we were always kept in the loop. The whole process was handled smoothly, meaning that an experience that could have been potentially stressful was made relatively easy!”
Redrow offers to the Help to Sell product at its developments across the UK, where prospective buyers will have the opportunity to discuss their options with a dedicated sales advisor. Visit the Redrow website to find out more information: www.redrow.co.uk/incentives/help-to-sell