Whether you are looking to buy your very first home or you are moving for the fifth time, you are going to want it to be just right. Property is a significant investment, and for most of us, it is the greatest investment that we make. We want to ensure that we are making the right decision. With this in mind, we have come up with 6 steps to choosing the perfect home.
The Checklist
Before you start your property hunt you are going to need to draw up a checklist.
Take the time to think about everything that would want from your ideal home. Make a note of every single thing that would make it perfect for you. Dream big here, so if you have always wanted a large family kitchen then make a note of it. Perhaps a porch to sit on each evening and watch the world go by has always appealed. Maybe you want a big backyard to be able to create fruit and vegetable patches. Write down all that you would want in an ideal world, as this is your perfect home hunt.
Now it is time to start reeling that list in a bit. You need to balance the wants with a little realism. The best way to do this is to split your list into those things that your home must have and those things that you would like your home to have.
There will always be a level of compromise in every house hunt so you need to decide where that compromise will be. This will be a very personal choice that is only yours to make. You might find that it crystallizes for you as you begin your search but it is worth weighing it up in advance so that you are prepared.
The Location
This is usually the best place to begin your property hunt. Most people need to be in a certain location for work, schools or to be near family and friends so this can often help you to draw up a search area. If this is not the case for you, think about the amenities that you would like to have around you and whether you would favor a rural or urban location, inland or coastal? You will soon be able to narrow down your choices going through these questions.
If the location is new to you, do spend some time in the area, not just visiting the houses on your list. You will want to get a feel for the local services and shops available to you, and if relevant, you might want to check out local schools. If possible, chat to people living there and put your questions to them.
The Shortlist
Once you have settled on the area, you need to start looking for homes in your chosen location, applying your checklist to your search.
Most properties are listed on the internet now with filters available to narrow down your search. Apply your must haves to this and then look carefully at each possibility. You should find that you can eliminate many properties early on as unsuitable by applying these principles, just be careful that you are not too close minded as some places can be changed and adapted to suit your needs.
You will want to view several properties to really get a feel for what it is you need, and you might find that your list changes as your search progresses. Be flexible and go with what works best for you.
The Structural Practicalities
When you are looking at a home, you need to think about the structural practicalities first and foremost. These tend to be the most expensive things to put right if there are any issues.
If you are seriously considering buying the property, do invest in a thorough report and take all recommendations into account. It is also worth factoring potential future works into your decision, so you will want to consider your tile roof life expectancy, the need to replace any doors or glazing and any landscaping that will need doing.
The Vision
How can you make this house into your home?
The house might not have the design features that you are looking for in a kitchen, the decor might put you off or perhaps the layout does not quite work for you. This is where you need to have a bit of vision and try to picture the house just as it could be, how you might be able to make it.
If it has ticked so many of your boxes and is in the right spot for you then you really are going to need to do this. It is unlikely that your perfect home will come completely ready made for you, you are probably going to need to do some work in order to get the vision that you want.
If you are looking to make significant changes you will need to factor them into your budget, so it is worth getting quotes for work before buying to ensure that it can be done.
The Expenditure
You are now at the stage where you have found a home that suits you, in the right place and you have thought long and hard about any work that will need doing to it. It will all come down to the expenditure.
How much can you realistically afford to pay and how much is the property actually worth? Thees might be two different figures. Ensure that the selling price fits within the range that you would expect to pay in your chosen neighborhood and carry out a little research around any future plans that might affect its value. This will be particularly important to you if you do not envision staying in this home for more than a few years.
If you are looking to make this perfect home your forever home, then resale value is still relevant but will be less of a factor for you. Do your sums, add in any expenditure that will be needed to make the home just as you would want to live in it and then make your offer.
Good luck!
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