Where is Your Dream House, How Do You Find It?
How to find your dream house is a subject often overlooked. We give you some top tips below.
You have gone through the laborious work of formulating a budget and securing the finance you need; now comes the exciting job of finding the home of your dreams. But don’t be under any illusions; the work is far from over. There are tens of thousands of houses for sale at any given time in the UK, and making an informed purchase means researching the market, contacting local estate agents, and viewing as many properties in person as time allows. Follow a few simple tips, and you could enjoy a rewarding and financially successful house buying experience.
Compile a List of Priorities Beforehand
Buying a home is, of course, an emotional time. It should be fun and exciting, but it’s important not to forget the practicalities of living in a home. While you may have a rough idea in your head about the types of property you prefer, the process of viewing homes can quickly change your mind. Allowing your heart to rule your head could lead to costly and impetuous mistakes, so setting criteria from the outset is always a good idea.
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What is the minimum number of bedrooms you and your family need?
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Do you require more than one bathroom or the use of ensuite facilities?
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Do you want a home that you can move into straight away? Or do you relish the prospect of a few home improvements?
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Is a garden a necessity?
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How much space is required?
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Do you prefer open-plan living?
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Do you need a conservatory?
Of course, your decisions will depend heavily on your budget, but knowing what is not suitable is a good starting point when it’s time to find your dream home.
What Happens if You Can’t Find Your Ideal Home?
Whether it’s because house prices are too high or there aren’t owners selling houses in sufficient numbers in your chosen areas, you might encounter problems in your search for the ideal home. However, according to Investopedia.com, there are four options open to you, should your search prove to be less than fruitful.
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Widen your search to different neighbourhoods. It is not unusual to find hugely differing average property prices only streets apart.
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Consider relocation if your employment situation allows it. Particularly in London, many low and middle-income earners are relocating to other British towns and cities to enjoy a better standard of living.
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Consider a compromise that won’t have profound consequences on your standard of living. For example, do you need that conservatory? And is off-street parking that important to you?
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If you really can’t find a property in time and you are selling a house simultaneously, delaying your sale could be a decision you live to regret. If you consider renting a property, that will give you the breathing space you need to find your ideal home.
Research Your Desired Area
Rightmove.co.uk recommends that you should perform some basic research on your favoured areas before making offers or wasting time on viewings.
- What are the schools like
- Are crime rates high in the area?
- Does the Environment Agency rate the area as being at an elevated risk of flooding, as this may affect the value of a property?
Once you know the area inside out, you can start to arrange property viewings with confidence.
