Outgrown Your Space? Here’s How to Plan Your Next Big Move
There comes a time when even the home you once adored starts to feel that little bit too small. Maybe the family has grown, perhaps hybrid working has turned the spare room into a permanent office, or you’ve simply outgrown the layout that once worked. Whatever the reason, upsizing is an exciting milestone but it’s also one that deserves careful planning.
At Charles Bainbridge, we’ve helped many Canterbury homeowners take this next step smoothly and confidently. Here’s how to prepare – financially, emotionally, and strategically – for your next big move.
1. Recognise what’s driving the move
Every home move has its story. Understanding yours helps shape your next purchase. Are you looking for more bedrooms, outdoor space, or just better flow for family life? Perhaps you need a dedicated office or a garden where children can play safely.
By clarifying what truly matters, you can focus your search and avoid being swayed by properties that don’t fit your long-term goals.
In Canterbury, we often see upsizers moving from city-centre period homes to family houses in villages such as Bridge, Bekesbourne, or Wingham, where larger plots and quieter surroundings offer room to grow.
2. Prepare financially before you start searching
Upsizing usually involves a higher purchase price, so it’s important to understand your financial position early. Review your current mortgage, explore affordability for your next one, and speak to a trusted broker to assess borrowing potential.
Factor in costs beyond the deposit: stamp duty, moving expenses, surveys, and any renovation work. Building a realistic budget from the start reduces stress later.
If you’re relying on your sale to fund your next purchase, an accurate valuation is essential. At Charles Bainbridge, our valuations reflect genuine market conditions, helping you plan with confidence and avoid unrealistic expectations.
3. Get your current sale right
A successful sale is the key that unlocks your next home. Presentation, pricing, and timing all play a part. Declutter where possible to make rooms feel open and adaptable, refresh paintwork, and ensure photography shows your home at its best.
Correct pricing is equally crucial. Overpricing risks delays and can jeopardise your onward plans, while competitive pricing attracts genuine interest and helps you move faster.
Our team guides clients through this balance carefully, matching strategy to your goals and the realities of the Canterbury market.
4. Plan the emotional side of moving
Upsizing can be as emotional as it is practical. Leaving behind a home where memories were made is rarely easy. Take time to reflect on what you’ve loved most about your current home, it can help you identify what you want to recreate in your next one.
For families, involve children in the process where possible. Visiting potential new areas together, or exploring nearby parks and schools, can help them feel part of the adventure rather than unsettled by change.
5. Keep your next chapter in sight
The goal of upsizing isn’t just “more space”, it’s finding a home that fits the life you’re building. That might mean a flexible layout for work and play, a garden for entertaining, or a home within easy reach of Canterbury’s excellent schools and transport links.
By preparing thoughtfully and surrounding yourself with the right advice, the transition can be smoother, quicker, and more rewarding.