When you are looking to purchase a property there are a few things that should be kept in mind. The following are what I believe are some of the most important things that you need to consider when thinking about what to look for when buying a house. Of course, this isn’t a complete list, but it should give you a push in the right direction.
One of the first things that you need to consider when searching for a property is the budget that you have at your disposal. You will therefore want to ensure that you have been ‘pre-approved’ for a loan beforehand. This is going to have a major impact on everything else when it comes to what to look for when buying a house.
Consider how much space you need in the property. For example, if you are planning to start a family in the future then you may need a little bit of extra space to help accommodate for this. After all, you don’t want to be moving out again any time in the near future.
The location of the property. This is without a doubt going to be one of the most important things for you. There is plenty to consider here. For example, if you have children you may want to ensure that the area is suitable for them to grow up in. For example are the areas nearby safe to play in if they want to spend time outside? How good are the schools in the local area? If you have a job then you will want to ensure that you are within easy reach of work. You may also want to consider the public transport connections from the house. Basically, consider whatever is important to you when it comes to the location of the property.
Take a long hard look at the property. Is it in need of renovation? If it is, can you actually afford to pay for the costs? If you can’t, you can potentially try and haggle down the price of the property to ensure that you will be able to carry out any necessary repairs within your budget. However please bear in mind that some loan providers will not loan you the money if the house is in an extreme state of disrepair. Things you will be looking for include roofs in poor condition, cracks in the walls, damp, obscure smells, problems with fixtures and fittings etc. I suggest that if you can, try to call a building inspector in to help you pick out any problems with the property.
Does the property actually feel like your home? You will get that feeling as soon as you walk through the door. Be honest with yourself, can you truly imagine yourself living there? If you can, you may have found the right property. If you cannot then the chances that the feeling will materialise at some point in the future are slim.
Check the boundary fences of the garden. You will want to ensure that the neighbours won’t be causing any problems in the future. For example, do they have incredibly noisy dogs? Any trees that are overhanging the property, etc.?
I hope you find the above information on what to look for when buying a house useful. It’s not everything but it’s a start. Do your research and you will be sure to put yourself into the home of your dreams!
