House hunting 101
Do you want to start looking for a new home but have no idea where to begin? It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed or uncertain, but here are some top tips on the dos and don’ts of house hunting:
Know your budget
Whilst viewing a million-pound home could be a fun way to pass a rainy day, it’s not always productive if it’s out of your budget. Before you start viewing, determine your budget with a professional mortgage advisor. That way you will avoid the disappointment of viewing houses that you can’t afford.
When searching for homes for sale online, expand your price search slightly above what you can afford as you may be able to get something for just under the asking price.
Create a ‘must-have’ list
Everyone’s priorities for a home are different so it is important that you establish what your ‘must-haves’ are from a home. These are things that you aren’t willing to negotiate on. This is different from ‘nice to haves’. Your list could include anything from number of bedrooms, the size of the garden, or having a driveway.
Filter homes online when you are searching to make sure that you are only being shown options that meet your needs.
View different types of properties
When house hunting, it is beneficial to keep an open mind. One way to do this is by viewing a range of different property types such as new builds and bungalows. As well as different sizes and structures, if possible, look at different areas too.
Ask questions
Viewing a house can be intimidating, especially if you’re a first-time buyer but as nervous as you might be, it is really useful to ask questions at your viewings. Prepare the questions before you go and consider keeping them in a note on your phone, so they are ready to go and easy to access. Questions should include information on the home itself such as the age of the boiler and longevity of listing, as well as questions on the area.
View the area in your own time
House viewings are often relatively short, and whilst you may find out everything you want to know about the house in that time, the location is a different matter. It is always useful to view the area in your own time to explore and decide whether you can see yourself living there. It is advised to also view the area at night to gauge how safe it feels.
