From estate agent to home mover

From estate agent to home mover: what I learned (with a baby in tow)

Every year, I help hundreds of people move home – and in early 2025, it was finally my turn.

At the tail end of last year, my wife and I welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world. Just a few months (and a mountain of baby gear) later, we realised it was time to upsize. It’s incredible how something so small can need so much space, storage, and more than just a few packs of nappies.

As any parent will tell you, doing anything with a young child requires planning, and moving house is no exception. The secret to a smooth move? Organisation, routine, and a solid team behind you!

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Long before the ‘For Sale’ board went up, we were laying the groundwork. We registered with a solicitor, spoke to a reputable mortgage advisor, and made sure we had our budget crystal clear. This early prep gave us the confidence to move quickly when the right property came along – no panicked paperwork or late-night calculator sessions… well, fewer of them, anyway.

Step 2: Keep the Routine, Even in Chaos

Evenings became our productivity zone. As soon as Reave went down for the night, we switched from bottles and bedtime stories to paperwork and property searches. We prepped our house for marketing, reviewed documents, and shortlisted potential new homes.

Step 3: Take the Plunge

Once everything was in place, we put our house on the market and were lucky enough to secure our dream home – a charming 1930s detached villa in Broughty Ferry. It ticked all the boxes: space to grow into, a great school catchment area, and just enough “character” to keep us busy with a few renovation projects. Character, in this case, meaning wallpaper older than I am!

Step 4: Priorities, Priorities

The first room we tackled? Our daughter’s. We lined up babysitters, rolled up our sleeves, and spent two full days transforming her space; wallpaper stripping, painting, and decorating. Getting her room done first allowed us to get back into a routine quickly and freed us up to focus on the rest of the house.

Final Thoughts: It’s All About the People

So far, everything has gone (dare I say it?) surprisingly smoothly – and that’s not down to luck. It’s down to the careful planning my wife and I did in advance, and the incredible team we had around us.

If you’re thinking about upsizing, especially with young children, here’s my advice:

• Plan early
• Keep your routines where you can
• Surround yourself with trusted professionals – your solicitor, mortgage advisor, estate agent, and even a few handy family members with paintbrushes.

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful and worrisome. With the right prep and the right people, it can actually be a smooth, exciting next step, even with a baby on board!

To discuss any of the points raised further, please contact Ben below or a member of our Estate Agency team.

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.