Going from a rented property, it is a pretty cool thing. Although it has a great sense of security, the type that only owning your own roof can bring, there is a lot of stuff that goes into finding that home. No matter when you buy a house, you have to think of the future. Are you going to have children, or are they almost old enough to move out? Is the area one in which people are currently moving to, or is there a government-funded improvement programme happening? It will all matter to the house price now and in the future.
Money
Although it might be a lot of fun to look at houses that are somewhere in the half a million to a million-plus range, you might find that your real-world budget sees you looking closer to something 200 and under. As well as that, you need to know what you can save for your deposit or how much of a deposit you’re going to need. Typically you are somewhere at 10% of the house price. It will speed up the whole process if you speak to your chosen mortgage lender and get an agreement in principle, so you know how much you have to play with moneywise.
Needs
We all want a house with X,Y,Z the big fancy stuff that you dream about when you are watching movies and TV shows. But when it comes down to it, you really should consider your need list first. The things you need are a kitchen with enough room for a particular style of fridge, a downstairs bathroom, or maybe a garden — that is paved. Only you know what you need in a home. Make those the most important things, and the wants are an added bonus.
Search
If you aren’t currently living in the location that you want to buy a house in, then this can be tricky. You can get in touch with local estate agents and give them a rundown of everything you are looking for and your budget and arrange viewings for everything that matches up. If you can spend a week or so in the area, then you are much more likely to get the information that you are looking for. Consider the distance to public transport, schools and fun stuff too. Using a property finder is a great idea also, it means that you can relax a little bit while someone else does the leg work.
Second Viewing
Let us say that you have done the first viewing and the house meets almost everything that you want, it is now time for that all-important second viewing. If you had your last viewing in the morning, ask for it to be in the evening. Change the time of day so you can get a better idea of the area at different times. Print out a checklist of things that you want to look for. Like how many sockets, creaking doors and windows there are that need repairing, and also leaky taps. They might not put you off, but they may give you some wiggle room in the price —and an idea of the work that you will need to put in after you move.
Take it slow. Rushing to buy a house just because you know you can is likely to end up with you sitting in a living room that you hate the shape of. So, go slow and do plenty of research before you sign on the dotted line.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
