Do your homework to find that larger home (From Chorley Citizen)

Do your homework to find that larger home

1:05pm Wednesday 14th September 2011

PUPILS are now back behind their desks and many homeowners are finding that, as their family grows up, their living space appears to be getting smaller.

Estate agent Your Move turged property owners to do their homework and consider moving to a larger property.

Stuart Matthews, senior sales manager at the agent’s Blackburn office, explained: “A lot of couples buy a house before they have a family and, although they may have opted for a larger property than they initially needed, it's only when the children arrive that they realise there's a need for more space, particularly for toys, clothes and even visiting friends.

"School holidays often highlight the problem. But now with the distractions of the summer gone, many people begin to re-focus on their home, and with more people anticipated to come into the market, it's a good time for people to consider selling.

“Acting now could result in a move to a larger property before the next major school holiday at Christmas."

He continued: “These days, being on holiday does not stop buyers researching the market.

“It’s a fact that 80 per cent of house hunters now use the web to start their search for property. Even in the height of the summer holidays when buyers don't have as much time to walk into the offices of estate agents, the figures show that they continue to 'window shop' online.

“Your Move knows the power of the internet. We are Estate Agency of the Year award winners for technology and web, and have recently launched a new-look website.”

"We believe it's absolutely key that full property details can be viewed online and Your Move has the most visited estate agency website in the UK," Stuart said.

We've re-designed our website to make it easier for buyers to navigate towards our properties for sale.

“And it comes just in time for the renewed energy that we expect from buyers and vendors after the holiday season.”

Added Stuart; “The end of September and the beginning of October often brings change. Many will find their families are growing and they need to find space.

“Others will find that they have a room empty, with a child moving away to university.

“Whatever the reasons, there will always be some activity in the property market, and now is a great time for homeowners to do their homework and see what results they may get."