3 tips to help lower moving costs
Moving homes can be an expensive undertaking, especially if it’s not planned well. This is what can be considered to reduce the cost.
Purchasing a new home and moving in comes with so many expenses that it is not uncommon for buyers to search for ways to cut back on costs. While hiring a professional moving company can be incredibly helpful, it is also often one of the first expenses buyers try to work around.
According to Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, there are many upfront costs involved when moving into a new property that many forget to budget for. “Tenants will need to pay a sizeable deposit, and buyers will need to cover transfer fees and bond registration costs. This often leaves very little money over for things such as the moving day transport costs and any new furniture that needs to be purchased for the new home,” he notes.
Cost management for moving
To help those looking for ways to cut down the costs of moving homes, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few tips for a cost-effective moving day.
- Shop around for quotes
For those who choose to use professional movers, take the time to shop around. Get quotes from at least three different companies to see which one offers the fairest quote. Doing so well in advance will also help you budget more accurately and allow you time to save up the appropriate amount.
- Hire a trailer
For those with a towbar and an appropriate vehicle, hiring a trailer for a day and doing the move yourself can work out far more cost-effective. Better still, if one of your friends or family could lend you a trailer or vehicle for the day, this could help you save some much-needed cash.
- Declutter before the move
The less you have to move across to the new home, the cheaper the moving process will become. Before the move, go through the old home and get rid of the items you no longer need, being sure to donate or sell the items that are still in good condition. You will also do well to resist the urge to purchase new items until you have moved into the new home.
Whether you choose to move on your own or hire professional movers, Goslett encourages all buyers and tenants to avoid having to take on extra debt to help cover the costs. “To protect your credit score and to minimise the impact of interest rate hikes, try to keep credit card debt as minimal as possible. As difficult as it may be, it is far better to be patient and build up savings to cover the associated costs of moving in cash rather than on credit,” he advises.
To do this, it is useful to be fully aware of all the costs you can expect to cover when moving. “Before committing to a purchase or a lease agreement, speak to a trusted real estate advisor to get a better idea of all the associated costs. As experienced professionals, they could offer some advice around the most common expenses that have tripped clients up in the past. Being better informed will help to avoid surprise expenses and make the whole moving process much more enjoyable overall,” Goslett concludes.
Writer: Kayla Ferguson
