SO you’re moving house and need to think about estate agents, removals or van hire, self-storage or cardboard boxes. It’s an exciting prospect but can also be very stressful.
Choosing the property that’s right for you is an important process and it’s essential that you decide what you’re really looking for in a property. It’s important that the estate agents regard you as a serious applicant, show willing and be eager to view, and you’ll be top of the list when something new comes on the books.
To make it easier for yourself it can help to write down everything you’re looking for in your ideal home, considering factors like location, price, the number of bedrooms, garden, and whether you want a modern or traditional property.
- Location is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a house. So do your homework and make sure you thoroughly research the area you’re interested in before making an offer on a property. Find out what amenities, transport links, shops, and schools are nearby, and visit the area several times – in both the daytime and evening – to get a feel for what it would be like to live there.
- Think long and hard about what type of home are you looking for. Do you want a modern apartment, a terrace you can renovate, or a semi-detached family home with a garden? Do you need a garage? Is outside space a deciding factor? Do you want somewhere you can move straight into or would you rather renovate somewhere and put your own stamp on it?
- To prevent time being wasted looking at unsuitable properties, give estate agents a comprehensive list of your requirements. This should include a purchase price, the area you want to live in, the type of property you’re looking for, your financial status, your position in the property market plus whether you have children or elderly dependents.
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when looking for the house of your dreams:
- Check out local newspapers, property magazines, and websites – not everyone sells their house through local estate agents. View the properties as soon as possible. Leave it too long and you could lose the house.
- Make good use of your lunch hours or make appointments with estate agents, mortgage brokers or to view properties on your way to and from work.
- Find out what you’re letting yourself in for and check the history of the house. If it has been rented it may have had the bare minimum in repair and upkeep. Likewise, if a property has been on the market for a long time, try to find out why – is the asking price unrealistic compared to other similar properties in the area? Does it need more work doing to it than it first appears?
- New carpets, bathrooms, and kitchens can be signs of a superficial renovation that’s hiding more serious work to be done.
- Ideally, you should visit the property several times to see what the traffic, lighting, and neighbours are like at different times of the day.
- Buy only when you’re sure you’ve found the house that suits your needs fully
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