One of the biggest decisions that you can make in your life is buying a house. After all, this will be the place where you spend so much of your time in the foreseeable future, the place to raise your family and the place where you will create so many memories. The first thing that you need to do is check the sums as a dream home can quickly become a lot less appealing when you are having to stretch your finances to breaking point to afford it.
Don’t forget that a home can’t be perfect for you unless it is in the right neighbourhood as well. What constitutes ‘right’ varies from person to person, but it mainly comes down to the facilities that are nearby, who your neighbours are, and the level of safety and security that you feel. In this blog post, we are going to be talking you through just a few of the other main points that you can consider when it comes to determining whether or not a house is the right one for you.
Avoid Choosing Solely Based on Square Footage
Sure, having plenty of room is an attractive proposition when you are buying a house, but you don’t want to get totally seduced by square footage. There are plenty of other factors that you need to take into account as well. A smaller house in an appealing neighbourhood may well be a much more attractive proposition to you. Essentially, you should think about how much space you actually need for your family (and any additions you have planned in the future). If there are rooms that will be going to waste, they simply aren’t worth paying for.
Seeking Perfection is Madness
No matter how hard you search, you are never going to be able to find a perfect property that ticks every single one of your boxes. Don’t think in terms of what is already there; think about what you will be able to do with the space in the future. Perhaps you could combine some rooms to create open-plan living, convert an attic or basement or even add an extension to the property in the future. Try writing out a list of the things that you are looking for a home and order it based on priority. If you find a place that ticks most of the boxes, try to make some compromises on the features that you don’t desperately need.
Focus on Floor Plan Rather Than Finishes
The finishes of a property such as tiling, paint and countertops are the things which can be easily changed in the future. So, if you are thinking about buying a place which currently seems very old-fashioned, try to see past this to see its potential. However, the floor plan is going to be a lot more challenging to alter without undertaking major work. Make sure that you are happy with the size and position of the kitchen, bathrooms, living area etc. It will take time for your house to feel like a home, but you can work on personalising it over time.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Search
If you rush your search for a property, you are much more likely to end up with a place that you are not entirely happy with. On the other hand, if you take a more relaxed approach and you are not satisfied with the selection that is available, you can wait until more properties appear on the market. And you also give yourself the chance to view multiple houses so you have the best idea of what you are looking for. However, if you do see a place that seems perfect, be prepared to move quickly to secure it ahead of your potential rivals.
Get the Neighbourhood Right Too
As we talked about at the start, you are choosing a neighbourhood as much as you are choosing a house. So, when you are looking at potential properties, it is also worth investigating the area. Walk around on foot and see what sort of facilities are in the area including schools, restaurants, parks, cafes, and other entertainment options. Check out the transportation links, as well as how close you are to work, friends and family. Research the crime statistics and even speak to some neighbours if this is a possibility. Your quality of life will be influenced heavily by the neighbourhood that you select, so don’t underestimate just how important this is.
Don’t Discount Your First Impression
A lot of estate agents will tell you that they can tell whether or not people are going to buy a property from the look in their eyes when they first step through the front door. Of course, you should look in more detail at a house, but don’t discount your first impression either. If you have that emotional attachment to a property in the first instance, this is usually a good sign as you can instantly envisage yourself living there.
Include All New Features and Repair Work in Your Costings
The bottom line figure of a property is not the end of your outgoings. You also need furniture to fill all of those rooms to turn it into a home. If there is any essential repair work which can’t wait, you will also need to complete all of this. You also need to think about how you are going to access your essentials such as energy and water. Look into water storage tanks as needed. And then there are the moving fees to take into account as well.
Explain Non-Negotiables to Your Estate Agent
Earlier in the article, we talked about writing out a list of your priorities when it comes to what you are looking for in your home. Rather than keeping this all to yourself, you could share it with your estate agent as they will be playing a major role in helping you find the place of your dreams. When they better understand your priorities, they will be able to choose places to show you that fit in with these.
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