What to consider when house hunting

Finding your dream home is such an exciting thought, but it can be a long and stressful process. With
so many houses on the market, it can be hard to know exactly what you are looking for.
Whether you are a first-time buyer or are looking to upgrade your current property, there are some
factors to consider, here are some tips for house hunting.

Here are some tips to help get you closer to owning your dream property:

Location

The ideal location for you depends on several different factors. If you are a family, you will need to
think about your proximity to schools. Younger kids will need to be taken to school and older ones will
likely use public transport or walk to get themselves there, so both options need to be taken into
consideration.
Access to medical care is also an important thing to think about. Opting for a more rural area, for
example, means accepting that emergency medical care may take longer to get to you and that it
might not be as easy to get to your GP surgery.

Consider proximity to local shops, supermarkets and petrol stations, things that you will regularly need and use.

Type of property

Once you have narrowed down your location, you should start thinking about the types of property
you like. The amount of space you need is different for every house hunter, so take time to assess
your needs.
Older properties are full of character, but you may end up having to do a lot more expensive
maintenance on them such as getting a new roof, fixing wall tiles, or redecorating to fit your taste.
New builds are wonderful if you are looking for a blank canvas to make your mark on. If you buy a
new build developers may encourage you to choose different design features such as flooring or
cabinetry to really personalise the property.

Determine your budget

Buying a house means taking an in-depth look at your finances as an individual as well as combined
if you are buying with someone else.
You will need a sizable deposit for most mortgages at the moment, but you mustn’t wipe out any
savings. Fees such as surveys, legal services and moving costs will all add up as the process moves
forward so remember to budget for these as well. Consider if the property needs any costly improvements, for example a new kitchen or bathroom.

Ask questions

Viewing a property can feel a bit awkward, especially if the current homeowners are home too. Even
though they won’t take it personally, mentioning things you aren’t as keen on can feel like you are
criticizing them personally.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions to whoever is showing you around. Before the viewing, make a list
so you don’t forget anything. You may want to ask why the sellers have decided to move on. This
question will give you a good insight into the property and even the surrounding area.
Outdoor space is incredibly important to a lot of people so ask which way the garden faces if you
aren’t sure. This will indicate how much sun the space gets as well as how bright the back of your
property will be.

Consider returning to the street at different times of the day, you can get an idea of how busy it can get and if there are issues with parking or anti-social behaviour.

Thanks for reading ‘tips for house hunting’.