Trying to find the perfect home is a stressful process. You’ll feel overwhelmed with the number of viewings you undertake, plus you have all sorts of legal issues to deal with. It can feel like too much, at times.
Thankfully, there are plenty of things that you can do to speed the process up and make it more palatable. This guide will examine some of the most important things you need to do when house hunting. Enjoy the first part today and we’ll have the second part uploaded on the website later in the month.
Speak to Local Estate Agents
A lot of people make the mistake of only using property aggregating websites when searching for their new homes. While these are certainly useful, they aren’t the only resources available to you.
A lot of local estate agents don’t list every property they deal with on these websites. That means it pays to visit your local agents, in addition to checking national websites. You may find that they have some other properties of interest available that they haven’t listed, for whatever reason.
Don’t Base Decisions on Emotion
Yes, it is important that you love the house that you move into. If you don’t, you’ll probably find yourself looking for another home in a couple of years’ time.
However, that does not mean that you should base your decisions on emotion. That’s what sellers want you to do. Taking logic out of the equation makes you prone to making higher offers than you otherwise would have. House hunting is much like a business transaction. You may love a property, but you should not pursue it past the point of financial comfort.
Check the Neighbourhood
Always take some time to explore the neighbourhood before making an offer on a home. While the property itself may look great, you won’t feel comfortable in it if you don’t feel safe in the areas surrounding it.
Check the streets for signs of vandalism and go online to look for local crime statistics. You’ll also want to find out if the property is near a school and other facilities, if you have children. Don’t be afraid to talk to some of your potential future neighbours to gauge how they feel about the area.
Always Look for Flaws
Every property has flaws. Some may be merely cosmetic, whereas others are much more serious. Structural issues, in particular, could cost you thousands of pounds if you don’t catch them before buying.
That’s why you should always look for flaws. Your estate agent can help here, as can an independent house inspector. Flaws don’t always break a deal. They can actually help you knock money off the house price.
Consider External Risks
Not every risk comes from people. Some properties are more prone to external issues, like flooding. This is especially true for waterfront properties and those located near major rivers.
You need to account for this when house hunting. Some of you may not want to deal with that added risk, as it requires preparation for the possibility of flooding. Speak to your estate agent and research the area to find out if such external factors have caused problems before.
That’s part one of our house hunting guide. We’ll be back with part two at the end of the month.
