WHETHER ités the first or fourth time youére moving home ités never easy as Diane Cooke found out. In an ideal world we would all follow this A-Z of moving produced by mortgage lender the Halifax.

Arrange your mortgage: Only after youéve carefully considered the different types of mortgage products on the market should you make your decision. Once youéve secured your mortgage, found your dream home, and had your offer accepted ités time to get organised.

Buying your home: Once your offer has been accepted, a number of checks and procedures need to be adhered to before the purchase can be completed. If you are part of a chain, you also need to ensure that the sale of your current property is underway as this could slow the whole process down considerably.

Conveyancing & Completion: A conveyancer, is the legal expert who will provide all the necessary documentation for the sale and/or purchase of your property. Once the final contract is signed, the conveyancer will éexchangeé this with the sellersé conveyancer and an official completion date will be set. This is the day when the property is legally yours and you can officially move in.

Deposit: Bigger is definitely better when it comes to saving for a deposit. A larger deposit generally secures a lower interest rate on your mortgage, which could put you in a position to take your mortgage over a shorter term and pay it off sooner.

Endless lists: Keep a dedicated émovingé notepad and jot down any tasks, however big or small, which need to be completed during the move. You should also keep a record of important numbers such as your estate agent, removal firm and a contact for the previous owner.

Fixtures & Fittings: Make sure you agree in writing which fixtures and fittings will remain in the property prior to signing the contract.

Get packing: Start well in advance to avoid a last minute panic and begin to save newspapers and linen items in which to wrap delicate items. Be methodical, look at each room in turn and start with items you are unlikely to need before the moving day.

Help: Youéll need it! Invite friends and family to lend a hand as there will be plenty to do.

Insurance: Not all insurance companies will cover your possessions in-between moving. Be sure to check that you have cover for both accidental damage and theft.

Jitters: Try to avoid them by planning well in advance and getting a good nightés sleep the night before the move.

Keys: Get two sets of keys cut and leave one with the estate agent and another with a friend or relative. Clearly label each key on both sets as this will be a great help when handing them over to the new owner.

Labels: Make sure each box or item is clearly labelled with the room you intend it to go in so the removal company can sort the boxes quickly and efficiently. Include your surname and the new address in case any boxes do go astray.

Moving machines: DIY or professional? If you have a lot of possessions get a company but shop around for quotes. If DIY get a van preferably with a hydraulic tailgate and lots of help from friends.

Necessities: Pack a survival kit é kettle, tea, coffee, sugar, a spoon, mugs, pain killers, plasters, toilet roll, dustpan & brush, rubber gloves and cleaning materials.

Organisation: transfer the phone number, cancel the milk, stop the papers.

Pets: Get them looked after for the day then ease them into their new home sensitively.

Questions: Ask as many as you can think of. Ask anyone and everyone é the estate agent, your mortgage lender and your conveyancer. Also talk to the previous owner and their neighbours for useful information about your new home and its surrounding areas.

Research: upmystreet.co.uk is a website which provides information on local amenities, schools, services, public transport etc.

Stress: Children find moving stressful too so it is important to introduce them to their new surroundings. Creating a positive association with the new area, such as a picnic in the local park.

Tricky tasking: Moving day is time for multi-tasking at its best. Prioritise which rooms need to be arranged first, the kitchen is generally a fairly high priority then childrenés rooms and make the beds early in the day.

Utilities: Let your gas, water and electricity providers know that you will be moving and notify them of your new address. Take meter readings when you leave the property and also note the readings when you move into your new house. Youéll also need to update your bank or building society, any credit/store cards, the doctors and your employer.

Valuation: Prior to signing your contract, your lender will arrange for a valuer to visit the property to make sure it is worth the amount you have agreed to pay, and therefore is suitable to lend a mortgage on.

Work: Leave plenty of time to complete the move. It is unlikely that you will be able to do this in an evening, or even a day, so arrange a few days leave.

Xtra costs: Remember to budget for any unforeseen items of expenditure. Fees, stamp duty (for higher value properties) and hiring a moving van can all add up.

Yummy food: Having spent all day lugging boxes about, youéll be ravenous and the last thing youéll want to do is prepare a meal. Have a takeaway menu handy as youéll deserve a treat after a hard days work. Just remember to have some cash with you to pay for it.

Zzzzs: Youéll need them! Youéve finally moved in and are starting to feel at home. Ités time to relax and unwind. Your first night in your new homeé sleep tight!

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