Eager to get your foot on the property ladder? Good for you.
Although it’s tempting to put a deposit down on the first property you fall in love with, buying a house is arguably the biggest investment you will ever make so you want to be sure that you’re making the very best decision.
How you’ll know whether you’ve found your dream home can vary by person. Some have gut instincts, whilst others may need a little more convincing.
If you’re house hunting, here are just a few things to bear in mind to help you pick the right property…
- The size and storage capability
Perhaps one of the more obvious things to consider when buying a house is the size and whether there is enough room for you to live comfortably.
Ideally, the house should be big enough for the unexpected. And what we mean by that is if you’re a couple with one child, on paper, a two-bedroom house is sufficient. However, one day, you may decide to have more children or need to convert one of the rooms into a home office.
Of course, it’s important that the bedrooms are spacious. But, in most houses, the kitchen and living room are used for entertaining and gatherings so there needs to be plenty of space for everyone to sit/stand comfortably without feeling cramped.
It’s also helpful if you measure your furniture before you view a property, so you can plan where you’d place it in the room. Just remember to take your tape measure on the day! Oh, and let’s not forget your non-furniture needs. Is there plenty of space in the attic, garage, or shed to store your belongings be it suitcases, board games, golf clubs, gardening tools?
- The potential to renovate
You need to determine whether the house needs any work and, more importantly, if you’re budget will stretch that far.
The staircase is bound to be the first thing you’re greeted with as you step over the threshold. Do you like the stairway or is it a little outdated for your liking? The good news is there are lots of things you can do to transform the look of your stairs, like adding a lick of paint, swapping staircase parts for new, or using glass in place of wooden spindles.
Another thing to consider is the flooring. If you’re not a fan of carpets in every room, you could replace them with laminate flooring. Or maybe you’d like to knock walls down to connect different rooms and expand areas or to add an extension.
A general rule of thumb when buying a house is to arrange a viewing. You want to get a feel for the property to allow you to make an informed decision as to whether it’s perfect for you.
- The neighbourhood
Location is a big deal when it comes to buying a house. You can renovate the property as much as you like, but you can’t change its location. That’s why, before you sign any contracts, it’s worth finding out a little bit about the area that you’re planning to move to.
Try entering the postcode on Police.uk and checking the crime statistics in the nearby area. This should also show you a list of the type of crimes and where the closest police station is.
If you really want to get a sense of what the area is like to live in, speak with the neighbors and tell them that you’re thinking of buying the house next to them. Most will be delighted to speak to prospective new neighbors and to welcome you to the area. If they’re not, then that tells you something too.
Ready to buy a house?
We see only too often that people make mistakes when buying a house which can cause more hassle than it’s worth.
Our best advice is to take your time. If you’ve got your eye on a property, be sure to find out as much as you can about it whether that means asking the estate agent questions or speaking with the previous owner and neighbors. And don’t forget to create a checklist and add size and storage, renovation potential, and the neighborhood to it.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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