Purchasing your forever home will likely be the largest single investment you make and so it pays to do it properly.
We often speak to clients who have viewed a property and fallen in love with the garden, the internal decoration or even the neighbours, but what should you really be looking for?
Here are a few tips to help you make a good decision.
- Don’t buy a house because you like the current colour scheme or the furnishings as these will change.
- Try to accept that the property may have bits that you don’t necessarily like. Most houses are not brand new and so minor imperfections are to be expected. We always advise our clients to check the seller’s questionnaire to check what items, if any, are to be included in the sale.
- Bear in mind that the seller may have put effort into making the house look perfect for viewing. The house may look completely different on the day you collect the keys!
- Location is important. Are you close to local amenities? Train Stations? Schools? Motorway junctions? These things may matter depending on what your work commitments/family commitments are. Don’t ignore these aspects over a nicely decorated living room.
- Do some due diligence: Visit the property more than once so that you can get a better understanding and feel for the area. Visit of the evening, visit during the afternoon and visit during the morning rush. What is parking like? Can you easily park? What are the neighbours like?
These things matter! - Do some homework; Ask the agents about the tenure. Is the property freehold? If not, is there a Ground Rent? What are the terms of the rent? Again, these things matter!
- Include a sensible budget for fees: Solicitors, Land Registry searches, Chartered Surveyors etc
- Always instruct a Chartered Surveyor to give your property a thorough inspection prior to the exchange of contracts. Failing to do so could expose you to financial risk that you haven’t budgeted for.
Call us today to see how we can help you buy the perfect home
