Buying advice
Be careful when you're looking at a potential home. It's easy to get excited by an attractive looking home full of nice furniture. Conversely, an untidy or tatty home can easily put you off. It is really important to try and look past any kind of decoration and see the basic size and shape of each room. Consider the things you cannot change- location and age/type. Depending on budget you may be able to extend and improve the condition of any property.
Top Tips
If you find a property you like, find out how long it’s been on the market. If it’s been for sale more than a couple of months, and/or it’s being marketed by more than one agent, there could be a problem.
Enquire as to the level of interest and whether the asking price has been reduced- it may be worth trying an offer.
Does it feel like the right price? – Compare prices of similar properties for sale.
Try to see each property you like at least twice before making an offer.
Try to visit at different times of the day to check issues like parking and playground noise.
Find out about the neighbours -Are the neighbouring gardens well kept? Do you have tenants or homeowners next door? Do the neighbours like to play loud music at night?
What is the traffic like? – The property may be on a school run.
How much sun does the garden get? – Take a compass to check the aspect.
Does your car fit on or down the driveway?
Will your furniture fit? If not how important is that to you?
Even if you’re buying alone, try to take someone with you, a pair of unbiased eyes may spot things you haven’t noticed and it’s extremely useful to have someone to discuss the property with afterwards.
Look closely at everything. Does the shower work? Does the central heating operate properly? If it’s raining, check the guttering doesn’t leak.
If you’re thinking about a flat, consider any possible noise from
upstairs or surrounding flats.
And consider the freehold/leasehold issue discussed in the first time
buyer section.
You may not be thinking about local schools at this stage in your life, but you may need them in the future. Local amenities can also add a lot to the value of your new home when you come to sell it.