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Plan with Justin Case

Plan With Justin Case

One step ahead of the unexpected

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The Property Plan

“When your home works for you – you’ll have more time for the things that make you smile”

Chrissy Halton
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Just before Covid hit, I probably experienced the most difficult and stressful time of my life – especially where my home was concerned.

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My new fledgling business was struggling. I decided renting out my own house and moving back to the family home for a year or so would give me some much-needed breathing space.

A year turned into two; then, as a family, we decided that making this arrangement more permanent would enable my mother to stay put. So, I sold my house and set about converting the garage. This meant that, in a relatively short period of time, I had moved house, sold one property and refurbished another. I am not sure I would call it ‘breathing space’, but that’s how life happens sometimes!

Lessons learned:

Our homes are more complex to manage than we give ourselves credit for.

The process I have described above involved:

  • Architects
  • Builders
  • Building regulations
  • Financial budgets
  • Legal paperwork
  • Moving lists
  • Packing and lots of decluttering
  • Planning
  • Rental agreements

Plus, lots and lots of negotiations, conversations (some emotional), tea and wine!

It also, however, provided me with an opportunity…  A chance to really examine what makes a home work. The result is a successful space where each member of the household has their own retreat.

We now have a crack team of tradespeople who continue to support us; an understanding of how things run (I am known by my clients for being able to adjust their underfloor heating settings!); and knowledge of where things were purchased and when they are out of guarantee, as well as how much it costs to run the house and where we can make savings.

I can lay my hands on not only all the important paperwork, instructions and maintenance manuals, but also picture hooks and the little widget that holds up the bedroom shelving!

It is only recently that I have come to appreciate the impact of this. Our house is lived in but has a flow and order about it that feels calm. I know who I can call on if there is a problem. Everything has its place, and everyone knows where that place might be because it makes sense.

It is easy to make decisions; it is fun to make changes with the cosmetics and décor; and it is straightforward to keep clean and free from unnecessary clutter. This home is enjoyed by us all and makes us smile.

It also means that I feel pretty confident we could cope with most ‘just in case’ scenarios: Buying, Selling, Renting, Moving, Refurbishment, Redecorating, Maintenance and – the most dreaded of all – The Disaster Recovery Plan.

I am not advocating that, to reach this point, you must tear your house apart, but I hope sharing my experiences – both personally and with my clients – helps you to start your home organising journey with a positive step. 

‘Just in case’ scenarios your household should prepare for include:

  • Buying a House
  • Selling a House
  • Renting a House
  • Moving House
  • Refurbishing a House
  • Redecorating a House
  • Maintaining a House
  • The Disaster Recovery Plan
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The Property Plan

Take the Property Plan Quiz to see how prepared you are for home changes or disasters… ‘just in case’.

Do you know where the following are located: Your water stopcock(s); your electricity and gas meters; the place where your phone line comes into the house?
Do you have key tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, on speed dial?
Do you know how much it costs to run your property each year?
Could everyone in the household find a hammer, tape measure and a screwdriver?
Can you change your heating clock?
Do you know when your home insurance is due for renewal?
Within 10 minutes, could you find the following documents: Your Mortgage or Home Title Deeds, Planning Approvals, Building Regulations, Electrical Installation Certificates and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
Can everyone in your household easily recycle/donate things?
Is there a central point where everyone in the household can find information about the running of the house?
If the worst should happen, such as a fire or flood, do you have a disaster recovery plan?
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