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Are you on the hunt for your first home? Are you unsure what you should be looking out for and prioritising?
Below of some of the handy things to look out for and consider during your search:
Location
It is very rare to find a perfect house, but fortunately, most houses can be adapted over time to suit individuals’ needs. However, one thing that cannot be changed is the location, so bear this in mind when searching for your future home. Consider how close you want to be to family, friends, local amenities, and your workplace. Research the transport links of the areas you are considering too so you aren’t limited.
As well as local amenities, when viewing properties be sure to take note of what the surrounding houses are like and whether they are well cared for. The atmosphere of the neighbourhood will give you a good indication of whether you will enjoy living in the area.
A top tip is to visit areas you’re considering at different times of day to get a true reflection of what they are like and how safe they feel.
Versatility
With this being your first home, you are going to want to be able to customise it to your personal tastes and make the house work for you.
Look for a house that is a relatively blank canvas, if possible, as this will allow you to put your own stamp on things with minimal construction work. This can typically be found in new build homes that can often be personalised before construction is complete.
Beyond interior preferences, a home needs to work functionally for you. Consider how you are likely to use your home to determine what it is you’re looking for. If you work from home, look for a house with the potential for a home office. If you love to host, then look for a house with an open-plan design.
When looking at a house, consider whether you would be able to make structural changes to the property overtime to allow it to continuously meet your needs. This is something you will likely want to ask a professionals’ opinion on so it could be worth bringing one along to a second viewing.
Workload
For some people, buying a home is the opportunity to take on a big renovation project, whereas others are looking for somewhere ready to move in to.
Make sure that you take this into account during your viewing period. Consider whether you have the time and budget for a big project and make sure you don’t put an offer on something that is going to be too big of a job.