Well, that will depend on several factors, including market conditions and your specific personal situation. In this article, we’ll discuss aspects that influence the best time to buy (or sell) a house and provide some tips to help you make a well-informed decision.

Is there an ideal time to move house?

Obviously, the answer to this question depends a lot on each case. There may be specific needs that require you to move house at a certain time, possibly even as a matter of urgency.

But while you have some time to make the best choice, be aware that there is some seasonality in this market, pointing to a higher volume in the spring and summer seasons. These are, in fact, the two times of year that seem ideal for doing business in real estate.

In the table below, we can see the volume of residential sales from the most recent statistical indicators available from the National Statistics Institute (October 2020 to September 2021):

As you can see, there is a clear increase from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. The explanation is not particularly objective or rational, but it could be related to greater mental availability on the part of both buyers and sellers. This perspective is reinforced if we also look at the search trends on Google Trends (tables below):

Trends in demand for real estate portals

Trends in demand for real estate companies

In any of the tables above, it seems clear that there was a drop in demand at the end of the summer, with a recovery trend in February/March, thus confirming some seasonality in the sector.

Spring on the front line

In fact, several studies even indicate that spring is the best time to put a house up for sale. And, in fact, this seems to be in line with the results of the statistical tables mentioned above.

In spring, the houses become more inviting, benefiting from more natural light, and the gardens and surrounding areas are in bloom at that time. The change to daylight saving time also extends visiting hours a little, which is always preferable.

International studies, particularly by the American consultancy Zillow, indicate that the first half of May is when there is the greatest pressure of supply and those who advertise at this time are able to sell their house 18.5 days faster. But the ideal period, says the company, extends throughout the spring.

In the summer, there is usually some decline in “traditional” domestic demand, which tends to be offset by other market segments, such as immigrants who take advantage of their return to the country to do some business or even tourists on vacation who may also be looking for opportunities.

In the fall, there is usually a drop in the number of properties available and also a certain willingness to move house, but the weather still makes it easier to visit. The worst time, according to studies, is winter, especially at Christmas time, when people are focused on the typical festivities of the season.

Price variation

Regardless of the most favorable times for the real estate business, you should always take price variations into consideration. The last few years have been particularly expressive in terms of increases, but the tables below, taken from a report by the Idealista Portal, show that, even in a scenario of continuous growth, we find slight inflections around the third and fourth quarters (especially visible in table 2, relating to the average value of transactions).

What should I consider when moving house?

There are several key aspects to consider when planning a house move. Considering the different nuances will help you make a decision you won’t regret in the future. Take them into consideration:

Market conditions

One of the most important factors to consider when moving house is the real estate market conditions themselves, which are constantly changing and can have a significant impact on the cost of a property.

To determine the state of the market, you can look at trends in house prices, the number of houses for sale and how long they have been on the market. A “strategic partnership” with a trusted advisor can be an important alliance for making the best decisions, as they have access to market data that is not available to most people.

Also evaluate the financing conditions. High interest rates, along with resilient spreads, significantly increase the value of the installments, which can affect your effort rate and the future fulfillment of your commitments. In this regard, also consider opting for fixed rates.

The personal situation

Another factor to consider when moving house is your personal situation. Your lifestyle and career can influence the decision to buy or rent a house and what the profile is. Also think about future plans for the family. If you’re planning to have children, include this in your plans for moving house.

If you have a stable job and the prospect of staying in the same place for an extended period of time, buying could be a good choice and even a good investment. If, on the other hand, your professional situation is more unstable, then renting may be the ideal option.

Financial objectives

Your financial goals are another important factor to consider. In the case of a purchase, it’s important to assess the budget available for a down payment, the installment of a loan and also consider additional costs such as property purchase taxes and maintenance, including IMI, insurance and condominium.

Before you start looking for a house, it’s essential to determine how much you can afford, taking into account your income, expenses and savings to create a realistic budget. Don’t forget to take into account other costs, such as moving expenses or maintenance and repairs that may be needed on the property.

Location

Research locations thoroughly, not limiting yourself to just one area, unless you’ve already decided where you want to live. Evaluate the average price in these locations and also consider aspects such as proximity to your workplace, ease of parking, proximity to schools for your children and services available nearby, such as supermarkets or pharmacies, for example. Visit the neighborhoods at different times of the day to get a better idea of the area.

The logistics component

Having considered the most strategic factors, it’s time to think about “operationalizing” the house move. And here, too, you need to consider a number of things, starting with finding a reliable transport and removals partner.

On the other hand, you may well need to store your belongings safely during the process. In this case, you should look for a self-storage operator that is well-established in the market and guarantees essential aspects such as proximity and centrality, ease of access at any time of day, support staff and sufficient variety of space capacity to adapt to your real needs.

These are some of the features you’ll find at Perfect Space, a specialized company that offers warehouses in central locations in the two main district capitals, Lisbon and Porto. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us:

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As moving day approaches, you will surely have an extensive list of tasks that need to be completed, especially the mission of organizing and packing all your belongings. And, most likely, the need will arise to store some of your items temporarily. But where? In reality, there are simple, practical and affordable options to turn to. When it comes to moving house, self-storage solutions can help you, allowing for a more organized move and with the guarantee that your belongings are safe and valued.

Moving house: advantages of self storage

First of all, what is self-storage? Self-storage units, such as those run by Perfect Space, offer different types of storage space for rent, tailored to the needs of each individual or family.

This is a concept that guarantees complete security and protection of goods, as well as, in most cases, easy access 24 hours a day and great flexibility and autonomy in the management of storage space. In the case of Perfect Space, you also benefit from personalized service to support you in any circumstance that may arise.

It is important to note that in order to use these storage spaces, you will need to sign a contract. This is a duly regulated activity and subject to operating rules, which immediately gives the user more confidence, provided they choose a credible and well-established operator in the market.

At Perfect Space you will have a great deal of flexibility in terms of the contract, as you will be able to sign the agreement for a minimum period of one month, which is automatically renewable, or initially set a longer duration if this is more convenient.

Last but not least, there are self-storage units that provide their customers with multi-risk insurance to ensure that their stored goods are fully protected. At Perfect Space, all customers benefit from multi-risk insurance for a maximum of 5,000 euros. If the value of the stored goods exceeds the amount covered by the insurance, the customer must take out a specific policy on their own.

Why should you consider self-storage?

Opting for a self-storage concept can make your moving process easier. So here are four smart reasons why you should use self-storage when you’re moving house:

Reason 1: Organize the change process

Do you already have the keys to your new home in your hand? Then it’s only natural that you want to move in as quickly as possible. But remember that haste is the enemy of perfection and that unpacking everything calmly and with time has its advantages.

It’s advisable to start the move well in advance. Don’t leave everything to the last minute. Start packing a few weeks in advance and don’t forget to write on the boxes what the contents are, which will make it much easier when you have to do the reverse process, and also if they are fragile or heavy items, something that will help when it comes to the actual transportation.

It’s quite likely that, when you’re preparing to move, you’ll be surprised by how much stuff you have. You’ll need some time to sort out what you want to keep. So, by opting for a self-storage unit, you’ll have time to properly clean your new home and organize the décor of each room, keeping your items safe for as long as necessary.

Reason 2: Renovations in the new house

Moving house often means having to carry out some work on the new home before actually moving in, as you want to feel comfortable and satisfied in the new space.

So if you’re still renovating your kitchen, living room, bathroom or bedrooms, the last thing you want is for your furniture to be full of dust or paint drips. This is where Perfect Space’s storage units come in, allowing you to store all your items while you’re renovating.

After all, it’s much simpler and quicker to carry out the work on your home without having to constantly move and protect all your furniture and other objects. Even if you’re already living in your new home, take only the essentials with you and store the rest in self-storage units until the work is finished.

Reason 3: Moving for professional reasons

Sometimes it‘s work-related reasons that lead to the need to move house. Whether you’re moving to another city or even another country, it’s normal to want some time to explore the area, to decide exactly where you want to live and to find your dream home.

In these situations, self-storage units may be an option to consider. When you are finally settled in your new city or country, you can then retrieve your precious possessions, for example by hiring a removal company to bring all your furniture, appliances and decorations to you.

Perfect Space has a network of trusted partners to facilitate the transportation of your items, helping you through the moving process without any hassle or discomfort.

Reason 4: Plan B to avoid unexpected problems

Moving house is often not a simple or quick process. Setbacks can happen at any time. That’s why it can be a good idea to be prepared for such situations on the day of your move, and it’s important to have a Plan B in place.

Imagine an unforeseen event that temporarily prevents you from moving all your belongings to your new home. Where will you leave your furniture and household items? In the car, in a friend’s garage or at your parents’ house? It’s to avoid these unpleasant situations that you should consider self-storage solutions.

Placing your items in a secure storage unit will certainly reduce your stress and give you peace of mind, as you’ll know that your things are protected and well organized.

How to choose a self-storage unit when moving house?

Considering that there are different types of use and specific characteristics for each client, storage spaces vary significantly in size. So that you can rent the ideal space to meet your needs, keep the following aspects in mind:

• Make a list of all the items you want to put in the collection;
• Measure the height and weight of larger items;
• Consider opting for a storage space that is slightly larger than you think you need;
• Ensure that the warehouse has good accessibility, both external and internal, as well as permanent security through human and/or technological means.
• Choose a strategic location that allows you to facilitate transportation and also reduce transportation costs.
• Choose a reliable self-storage operator who is well-established on the market and will give you all the support you need. Ease of contact is key.

What items can be placed in a self-storage unit?

• Gardening tools;
• Sofas, chairs, tables and desks;
• Refrigerators, washing machines and/or dishwashers;
• Bed frames, mattresses and chests of drawers;
• Decorative pieces;
• Children’s toys, books or magazines.
• Among many other things…

Conversely, there are certain items that should not be placed in self-storage units, such as perishable food or dangerous and flammable materials. Always remember to check the list of items that can and can’t be stored in the storage space you choose, speaking directly to the operator.

Details to bear in mind when moving house

In addition to temporarily storing your belongings in storage spaces, there are other very important things you shouldn’t forget when you’re in the process of moving house. Take note!

• Change the tax address on all your documents, such as the Citizen’s Card (which automatically includes the Driver’s License), as well as all official entities, namely:
  • Tax and Customs Authority;
  • Social Security;
  • Banks and other financial entities;
  • Insurance companies;
  • Health Center.
• Apply for exemption from Municipal Property Tax (IMI) if the house is intended for permanent residence and is eligible for it;
• Register the change of address on the Documento Único Automóvel (DUA);
• Cancel or request a change of address on your water, electricity, gas and telecommunications contracts, and start contracting for these services for the new property;
• Ask CTT to forward your mail;
• If you are teleworking or in a hybrid scheme, it is important that you inform your company of the change of address, as it will have to update the employment insurance in correspondence;
• If you have a resident’s permit to park your car, take the opportunity to notify the competent authority of the change, but only after you have changed the address on your Citizen’s Card, as the information must match.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, moving house is a process that can generate stress and anxiety. Do you want everything to go as smoothly as possible on moving day? Then remember that storing your belongings in self-storage units is a good idea, allowing you to focus on other crucial aspects of the move and feel excited about it!

Perfect Space offers storage spaces for rent in Lisbon and Porto with flexible conditions tailored to your needs. Do you have any questions you’d like answered or would you like to visit us? Get in touch!

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