Is the cost of moving preventing pensioners from downsizing?

Spicerhaart data shows that almost half of all pensioners - around 5.7million - are considering downsizing to release equity from their homes, but believes the stress and cost is putting them off.

The firm says its Part Exchange & Assisted Move division could help reduce the cost and stress of downsizing by facilitating the sale with no estate agency fees.

Spicerhaart Part Exchange and Assisted Move will handle the sale of the home buyer’s existing property with the aim of a sale in four to six weeks.

It will arrange for two independent valuations of the property, provide a valuation report to the developer and will then facilitate a cash offer to the home buyer for their existing property. The home buyer not only benefits because their existing house will be sold quickly to a guaranteed buyer, but also because no estate agency fees are paid.

Jan Biggins, national sales manager at Spicerhaart Part Exchange & Assisted Move, commented: “Many retired people are looking to downsize to free up cash or because their current home is simply too big to manage, but are concerned about the stress involved with a move.

“The thought of negotiating with estate agents, strangers traipsing around their homes and the fear of offers falling through can really put them off. Assisted Move – where people are given the opportunity to sell their property quickly, with minimum hassle and cost – can take all that stress and worry away.

“We have found that there is a real call for this service as it makes the selling process so much easier for both parties, helping retirees downsize to a lovely new build house with the minimum fuss.

“And the added benefit for the housing market as a whole is that if older people are being helped to downsize, their bigger properties become available helping to relieve the lack of second stepper homes on the market.”