When you're trying to budget to move house, there are lots of different costs involved - some of which you may not be expecting if you haven't been through the process before.

For most people, buying a house is the single biggest financial decision they'll ever make. And yet, because of the emotion involved, it's not something you can treat as just an investment. In the back of your mind, a property is always a home too.

If you have been anywhere near the High Street lately you'll have heard the Christmas music, spotted the Christmas lights and seen all the sparkly window displays tempting you into the shops. Can you believe we are just a month away from the big day? Christmas will all be over in less than five weeks now! So if you're wondering whether to market your property now or wait until the new year, we've done the research and the answer may surprise you.

These days, there is a lot to think about when moving house, whether renting or buying.

If you're changing address, here is our house move checklist to help you remember everything you'll need to consider at every step of the process.

Some sellers feel that if they have 'missed' the spring market, they should wait until September before selling their property; but there are solid reasons for marketing your home during the summer.

If you're a cash buyer, a first time buyer or are buying a new build, probate or repossession 

Our tips to achieve the best price possible by putting a bit of thought into preparing your property for sale. It's one of those sad facts of life that a property often looks at its best just when you've prepared it for sale.

It's often said that we spend less time looking at a house we might buy than we do checking over a car - and in our experience, there's quite a bit of truth in that.