What to look for when buying a home

Buying a new home is one of the biggest decisions you will make, and is almost certainly one of your biggest financial outlays. Yet many people, in a desperate bid to buy their dream place, spend just 17 minutes on choosing their new home relying almost entirely on gut instinct and first impressions. Be prepared, understand what you want and don’t make a snap decision that could see you missing out on a better bargain.

Wish list

When looking for your new home, it is important to know what you want. Make a list of what you can’t live without, those added extra’s that you would love to have and the things that you really don’t want. Sellers may include a never ending list of ‘added extra’s’ in a bid to make their home more attractive. Don’t be swayed by this. Concentrate on the property itself and if it meets your needs. 

Location, Location, Location

Location is crucial. Do your homework and check out transport links, local amenities such as shops and restaurants, and information on nearby schools. But make sure that you are realistic about property prices in your chosen area and know your limitations. It can be more expensive than you may think to move home. Estate agency and solicitor fees can really mount up and when you add in stamp duty and removal company fees it can be quite a sum. By working out a budget in advance you will be clear on how much you can afford to borrow and pay back on a monthly basis. 

What next?

Once you’ve found your dream home make sure you get a copy of the Home Information Pack and ask your solicitor to review this. If all is well make an offer and keep your fingers tightly crossed that it’s accepted!