Moving home - as the old standard goes - is the third most stressful event in life after divorce and bereavement. Why should anybody want to put themselves through a legal, marketing and financial process that could have a devastating effect on your life in the years to come?

The reasons for moving are as many and varied as the types of property that people move to. A new job, the patter of tiny feet, or simply the right time to sell in the market. The process of selling up and moving in is quite complicated but with the right advice and support you can at least make the process a manageable one. Some people actually enjoy it!

Where do we go from here?
Before making the decision to move it is essential to examine your next move. Where do you want to buy? What kind of space do you need? Can you afford it? These are all questions that need to be asked and answered.

It's possible to waste a great deal of time and money by making a rash decision to sell without checking out the area of the property market you want to move into.

What are the costs involved?
For many people, after you have paid your selling agent costs, other legal fees, mortgage arrangements and life insurance, the bill can mount up into many thousands of pounds.

What about home improvement?
To get the best price for your property it might be worth spending money on painting and decorating. You should never spend fortunes on trying to sell your home - evidence shows that you can never get back the full price of, say, a fitted kitchen in the final price of your property. But sometimes it is worthwhile giving the place a bit of a spruce up. Factor these costs into your budget.