Finding a property that matches your budget and needs can be difficult. Depending on your location, you could be faced with a wide range of options – but you can only view so many of them. This is a major investment, and getting it wrong can mean being saddled with regret. Let’s take a look at some tips that will help you pick your dream home.
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Use property websites
There are a number of websites that will help you to easily track down homes in your area. Make sure that you’re checking them all out. This way, you’ll cast the widest possible net.
As well as checking what’s on offer directly, you can also set up email notifications. That way, when a new property that matches your location and budget is added, you’ll be told about it straight away.
Do you want a new build?
It’s worth deciding at the start of the process whether or not you want a new build. These properties are energy efficient and unblemished by age – but they tend to lack the character of older properties. New build homes are available across the country, and they all fit the same rough aesthetic. Older properties are more varied: their look and layout will largely depend on where you’re buying.
Research your prices
Before you start making offers, you should have an idea of how much similar houses have sold for. Fortunately, sites like Rightmove make this easy. Just look for properties in a similar condition, ideally on the same street. If you look at a range of properties, you’ll get a feel for what your money gets you.
Check out the neighborhood
It’s worth considering not just the property itself but the surrounding area. This is where you’ll be spending much of your time, and you’ll want to be reassured that the area will meet your expectations. There might be a dedicated group on social media sites like Facebook, which will give you a picture of goings-on in the area. You might also take a few pictures of the vicinity whenever you view the property.
If you’re moving locally, you can ask around about the reputation of a given area. If you’re moving to an entirely different part of the country, this becomes slightly trickier – but you can still get a feel for the neighborhood by talking to the locals.
Finally, it’s worth looking at the quality of the local schools. Even if you don’t have children and don’t intend to have them, a good local school will help to safeguard the value of the property – since buyers will often want to move into desirable catchment areas.
