The UK housing market is a constantly changing beast. During the pandemic years, sellers were firmly in the driving seat. Properties often sold within days and buyers were competing for
By Ed Magnus, Senior This is Money Reporter as published in The Daily Mail on 26 January 2026 Most people are reluctant to downsize. It involves change, stress and endless
as published in MOVETO Residential Surrey Edition Issue 22 If you’ve ever moved house and thought “never again”, you’re not alone. Between estate agents, packing tape, and paperwork, moving ranks up
Change often arrives uninvited, but every so often we get to choose it. Moving home is one of those occasions. People move for all sorts of reasons. Some want to
There’s nothing quite like the magic of spring. The sunshine, the promise of longer, warmer days, and the flowers bursting into bloom, it lifts the spirit and brings our gardens
By MEIRION SHAW As told by Rachel Rickard Straus, Money Editor for The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday Published in The Mail on Sunday on 9 February 2025 As
Chances are, there is just too much “stuff” in your house. Just as a crowded, messy environment can affect mood and health, so too does living in a space that
Moving is SO overwhelming, combined with all the admin that a downsizer typically faces, it’s not surprising that sales can fall through and buyers can pull out. We have recognised
Tempted to move to a totally new area? Well, there’s lots to consider when thinking about moving home, but even more so if you’re looking to take the plunge and
Any pets? Two soppy Labradors – Olive and Mabel
Any children? Three – two boys and a girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Lots of things make me happy but I love laughing.
Any secret talents? I have run two marathons which I think surprises people ( and me!) sometimes!
What do you want to be when you grow up? Take inspiration from the ladies I look after and serve in the community cafe as they live life to the max, go on holiday and put the world to rights all with a healthy dose of no filter!!
Favourite piece of advice: Treat people as we would like to be treated.
Prized tool for moving house: Keeping calm and have a takeaway menu ready for the other end!
Any pets? A house rabbit called Betsy
Any children? Three boys
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Yoga, being in the garden or having a cuppa with family or friends.
Any secret talents? I’m alright at making cakes!!
What do you want to be when you grow up? The person who picks paint names or a panda caretaker!
Favourite piece of advice: Do the things you say you’re going to do.
Prized tool for moving house: A box cutter – get those boxes out as quickly as possible!
Any pets? Eggsy – a much loved Schnoodle
Any children? 3 grown up children and hoping for some grandchildren one day
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Tennis, golf, padel, mountain biking, cooking and very long lunches
Any secret talents? A would be Bee Gees impersonator who can go from Barry Gibb to Barry White in under 5 seconds
What do you want to be when you grow up? A guitar playing pub singer
Favourite piece of advice: When the going gets tough, give up
Prized tool for moving house: If Meirion is not around…. a Swiss Army Knife
Any pets? 1 gorgeous Labradoodle
Any children? One girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Blowing away the cobwebs at West Wittering Beach
Any secret talents? Making a gourmet meal from random fridge leftovers
What do you want to be when you grow up? A dog cuddler
Favourite piece of advice: Be true to yourself (learnt this at Brownies!)
Prized tool for moving house: Having pens in many pockets.
Any pets? Three dogs, one erratic husband
Any children? Two – one of each
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Hanging out on a beach with my family and friends
Any secret talents? I can teach you how to Nordic Walk
What do you want to be when you grow up? Highly happy
Favourite piece of advice: Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
Prized tool for moving house: The Homemover Specialist!
Any pets? Sadly no
Any children? Three – two boys and a girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Seeing friends and going on a ski holiday
Any secret talents? I can play the piano
What do you want to be when you grow up? Live in the Alps, ski every day and eat cheese and baguettes!
Favourite piece of advice: If you don’t use it, lose it.
Prized tool for moving house: Scissors
Any pets? Seven, two dogs and 5 Indian Runner Ducks!
Any children? Two, one of each
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Spending family days at home, planning our next adventure together.
Any secret talents?
What do you want to be when you grow up? A grandma
Favourite piece of advice: Will it matter in five years?
Prized tool for moving house: Impossible to choose one, a sharpie and paper tape!
Any pets? Until recently we had our beloved nine year old lop eared house-bunny, Sticky Toffee Pudding. She lived in our home with us, like another member of the family.
Any children? Three teenagers: one boy and two girls.
What are you happiest doing when not at work? I’m happiest on the beach, barefoot in the sand.
Any secret talents? Listening.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Oh there are so many things I want to be! The list is endless!
Favourite piece of advice: Your secret sauce is being you, so always show up as your authentic self.
Prized tool for moving house: Scissors & marker pen
Any pets? No, but I am desperate to get some chickens!
Any children? Yes, one of each
What are you happiest doing when not at work? On an outdoor adventure, by the sea
Any secret talents? I am a qualified fitness instructor!
What do you want to be when you grow up? Someone my kids are proud of!
Favourite piece of advice: Don’t organise what you don’t need – remove it first 🙂
Prized tool for moving house: Not a tool, but I always carry a loo roll in my handbag because vacant houses never have any!!
Any pets? Lola – my mini Golden Doodle
Any children? Two
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Spending time with my family.
Any secret talents? No – I’m all ‘out there’ – what you see is what you get!
What do you want to be when you grow up? No idea!
Favourite piece of advice: Have an open mind
Prized tool for moving house: My mobile phone
Any pets? My naughty little Norfolk terrier and two cats who want him to leave.
Any children? Three – 2 boys and a girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? A long country walk with all my family, lots of dogs, and a pub at the end.
Any secret talents? I can hypnotise people with consent (and make owl noises with my hands!)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Useful
Favourite piece of advice: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.
Prized tool for moving house: Empathy and metaphorically holding their hand
Any pets? Yes a little toy Cavapoo
Any children? Two boys
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Being with my family having a meal, playing games and having fun with them.
Any secret talents? I have a good listening ear and cold water swimming!
What do you want to be when you grow up? I am doing exactly what I want to now!
Favourite piece of advice: If you never try you will never know
Prized tool for moving house: My black marker
Any pets? A black lab called Hebe
Any children? Twins but one of each!
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Hanging out with friends & family, in Lisbon or Hampshire.
Any secret talents? Crikey, really none! I used to be able to do the splits – but not tried for a while!!
What do you want to be when you grow up? Still not quite worked that out! Always wanted to be a paramedic. Or, would love to do something like upholstery.
Favourite piece of advice: Do what works for now.
Prized tool for moving house: Stanley knife, tape measure and sense of humour.
Any pets? My 4th child, who gives me a lot less stress, our fluffy dog Coco
Any children? Three, 2 boys and a girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Curled up somewhere with a cuppa and a blanket.
Any secret talents? I can make a mean mac n’cheese et je parle français.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Content, surrounded by friends and family.
Favourite piece of advice: Smile and wave boys, smile and wave
Prized tool for moving house: A genuine interest in making the process kinder on the client, like you would do with a favourite relative.
Any pets? Josie the insatiable cockapoo
Any children? Two, one of each
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Spending time with family and friends, enjoying a gin & tonic by our pond, walking the dog and good puzzle
Any secret talents: Was the main attack on my high school volleyball team which always surprises people since I stand at 5’2” and shrinking
What do you want to be when you grow up? A gin taster or the person that comes up with the names of paint colours or ice cream
Favourite piece of advice: You never know what someone is going through, so be kind
Prized tool for moving house: THS Team but if I have to, a box cutter and a Sharpie
Any pets? A dog
Any children? Three
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Dancing, singing and driving my Morris Minor called Sally and going to a live gig
Any secret talents: I can pick things up with my feet! And I’m a maternity nurse too and love organising, problem solving and a good challenge (don’t think that’s a secret though)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Not a grown up!
Favourite piece of advice: Be curious. Not judgemental
Prized tool for moving house: Tape measure and chocolate
Any pets? 13 year old labradoodle
Any children? Four girls
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Spending time with my girls and watching Home and Away!
Any secret talents: Sheep and cattle farmer when I was younger
What do you want to be when you grow up? Owner of a donkey sanctuary
Favourite piece of advice: Everything will be ok in the end and if its not ok, it’s not the end
Prized tool for moving house: Stanley knife
Any pets? Mabel the Pug
Any children? One, a girl
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Cooking something complicated!
Any secret talents: Won a Blue Peter badge for designing a stamp collection
What do you want to be when you grow up? Not tired
Favourite piece of advice: Do as you would be done by
Prized tool for moving house: Patience, a good spreadsheet and a Stanley knife
Any pets? Not anymore but I have fostered and trained rescue dogs for my favourite charity Service Dogs UK
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Anything in and around a lake, the sea or a river
Any secret talents: Can swim a long way underwater – as long as the pool isn’t Olympic size!
What do you want to be when you grow up? A game ranger or a dog trainer
Favourite piece of advice: Stay curious and never stop learning
Prized tool for moving house: Crates, crates and more crates
Any pets? Not anymore sadly. Constantly wrestling with getting another dog
Any children? Two, one of each
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Sun on face, family around me
Any secret talents: Help my husband run his wine business
What do you want to be when you grow up? A grandparent
Favourite piece of advice: What’s meant for you won’t go by you
Prized tool for moving house: Sense of humour and a utilities planner
Any pets? Sadly not at the moment
Any children? Three. Two girls and a boy
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Spending time with family and friends
Any secret talents: Limbo (although I haven’t tried for a really long time!) and singing
What do you want to be when you grow up? Healthy and happy
Favourite piece of advice: Drink it while it’s fizzy!
Prized tool for moving house: A kettle because a good cup of tea makes everything better!
Any pets? Peggy the mini schnauzer
Any children? Two boys
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Generally I can be found by my sewing machine!
Any secret talents: Pretty nifty with an IKEA flat pack project. It’s my Swedish blood. And I’m a trustee for Harry’s HAT supporting children and families effected by hydrocephalus
What do you want to be when you grow up? An architect
Favourite piece of advice: It’s better to regret something you’ve done, than something you haven’t
Prized tool for moving house: Keeping calm and a sense of humour
Any pets? Eggsy the Schnoodle
Any children? Three, two girls, one boy
What are you happiest doing when not at work? Socialising with family and friends
Any secret talents: I was captain of the Reigate Cycling Proficiency Team
What do you want to be when you grow up? The lead in a West End Musical
Favourite piece of advice: Do as I say, don’t do as I do
Prized tool for moving house: My team!!!
