Last time we wrote about where we were on our downsizing journey, and not wanting to get caught out by the unexpected, since our home hasn't been sold for a few decades! To this end, we opted to have a pre-sale survey undertaken – which we have done and we've looked at the results and so on that we need to take forward into this new year.

Thankfully, everything is structurally sound with our property as far as the survey was concerned. The survey picked up various bits of decoration/refurbishment that will require some attention, some that we had already planned, but also some bits and pieces that we wouldn't have thought of ourselves.

What was also useful was that the survey identified some paperwork and certification that we needed to find in order to best present our home. For instance, certification and guarantees for our cavity wall insulation and also our loft insulation were flagged to us as being necessary to pass on to the new owners once we do sell.

Our solicitor also set us down the road of collecting necessary information and paperwork, and highlighted the importance of having a recent gas safety record. This is something that a new seller would potentially need to see and we are told could hold up the conveyancing process, so we are preparing this ahead of time; a gas safe registered engineer will be checking the gas appliances and pipework in our home this week.

In terms of decorating, whilst the festive period did prove somewhat of a distraction, we have been able to get a substantial chunk done. We have chosen to opt for bright and neutral colouring, which has actually made the house feel more spacious and light in general! Not only have we done the upstairs rooms, but a fresh lick of paint in our upper hallways and the stairs really made a huge difference.

Our home is being marketed and we're now inviting viewings so are ready to move forward with our downsizing plan! Here's hoping 2018 brings us a new home!

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