April 30, 2019 | WHAT UTILITIES TO CONSIDER WHEN MOVING HOME
Moving house can be as stressful as it is expensive. Besides the actual physical hassle of moving, there’s the added aggravation of setting up your energy and setting up your broadband – not to mention finding the right place to begin with. So where do you start?
New house, new utilities provider – new you!
One of the best things about moving house is the greener pastures it can present, particularly when it comes to your finances. It’s an excellent opportunity to cull utilities you deemed inefficient or expensive, and find services more suited to your tastes. Though some may find setting up utility services just as stressful as every aspect of the move, there are several companies out there that will make it as easy as possible for you, to the extent that they can have you connected as soon as you move in.
Compare broadband
The main reason so many Australians wind up unhappy with their broadband service is because they sign up with a plan or provider that just isn’t right for them (it’s really not too dissimilar to relationships). Before you compare broadband plans, have a think about exactly how you’ll be using your internet broadband. Perhaps you’re living alone, trying to stick to a budget and planning on using the internet very infrequently, in which case you may want to consider a 100GB plan for as low as $35. Conversely, you could be living with a few housemates, if not a large family, in which case you’ll probably need an unlimited plan, and almost definitely need a wifi plan. Depending on who you choose to go with, some of these internet service providers can also take care of your electricity.
Your new postcode makes a difference to your broadband
The NBN is close to three-quarters finished, with full completion estimated for 2020. But until such time, the geographical difference between a property with NBN and a property without can be as little as one street. If you live in South Melbourne you’ll likely find (at the time of writing) that your NBN build has commenced and is estimated to be completed between January to June 2020, with Fibre to the Node (FTTN) being the planned technology. If you live in the heart of Port Melbourne, you can expect Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) NBN sometime in June 2019. Build on FTTC NBN has also similarly commenced in the Albert Park area, with completion estimated between January and March of 2020. Because of such, there is a high demand for NBN-accessible properties, which has caused a property prices to increase in NBN areas. You can find out the NBN specifics of your address by typing it into the rollout map.
Compare energy
Making sure that the energy utilities in your new home are up and running by the time you move is an essential practice if you wish to look after your sense of wellbeing as well as your wallet; if your new home doesn’t already have existing connections, then you might find yourself without electricity and gas for an uncomfortable period of time. The sooner you compare energy plans, the sooner you can move in to enjoy your new home and lifestyle, so it’s advised you try and sort it out before the move. If you don’t, then the retailer may set you up with a standard default plan, and these default plans are often the most expensive. After you’ve selected utility plan that’s right for you, there are some handy services that you can call directly to arrange the switch to your desired retailer and to plan ensure that the new connection is done swiftly. During your move, don’t forget to take meter readings from both properties so you can ensure that you aren’t getting overcharged for the energy used in either home.
Do I need a buyers advocate?
Buyers Advocates – also known as Buyers Agents – specialise in searching and evaluating properties for their customer. They are differentiated from real estate agents in that Buyers Advocates specifically concentrate on working for the buyer (hence their title). But do you need one? Well ultimately that’s up to you, but they do save you a lot of headaches, simply because their number one job is to look after the interests of the buyer. This can all be extremely helpful if you’re not terribly familiar with the industry. They know the market, and besides searching and evaluating the property for you, they’ll actually go to bat for you when it’s time to negotiate the purchase with the seller (or the with the seller’s agent). They can represent you in private bids, just as they represent you in a public auction; something especially appealing to people who get stressed or anxious in high pressure situations.
Need assistance buying a property?
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