Moving house, such an emotive and complicated subject. There are times when moving is something that has been in the pipeline for years. Where dedicated saving has finally paid off and that mortgage has finally been secured.
There are times too, when a beloved home has to be sold. Maybe because the family has grown and the space no longer comfortable.
Then there are times when the sale is forced through sadder circumstances, the loss of a loved one or a job and downsizing has become necessary.
Whatever the reason for your move the journey from buying to selling is a long one. And there are plenty of things to think about in the build up to both. In this article we’ll take a look at the buying process. What you should have in place and how you’ll go about finding your dream property.
The Beginning
Before you start thinking about moving it’s well worth investing plenty of time in thinking about what it is exactly you’re looking for. Also start thinking about what your current property can’t give you.
If the issue is around space then it might be worth exploring extending your current home. This will add value to your property in any case. It will allow you to stay put, avoiding the hassle and complications of moving home.
If you’re unsure about the permissions needed. Then talk to your local building firm who have experience in your area. Make an appointment to talk to the planning team at your local authority. They can advise on what might be permissible and what might get rejected by the planning committee.
It might be that extending isn’t an option. If not take a look at what it is you need exactly. Perhaps it’s the communal living area that you’ve outgrown. Or perhaps your box room is no longer enough to contain your growing child.
Draw up a list of features that you need to look out for in your new property. This will narrow down the search and lead you straight to the more desirable and relevant options.
Location, Location, Location
You will no doubt question whether you should be prioritising the house or the location in your search for a new home.
While a great many people will say location and tell you to focus your efforts in finding the right area. The truth of the matter is that you’re looking for the best of both.
Working within the budget you have, you’ll need to find homes that tick off the essentials. You will also need to make sure you’ve moved somewhere that you love, or could at least grow to love.
Thinking about you and your partner’s routes to work, the school run and proximity to public transport. Along with local shops, cash machines and anything else that factors into your everyday.
The best house in the worst location just won’t do. And neither will buying something small and rundown in a great street. The answer has to be a little of both so make you make a list of requirements for property and location before you begin your search in earnest.
Casting Your Net
Once you’ve figured out a desirable location and given yourself a radius to work within, then the fun really starts.
Using an online property locator or website that shows the latest new builds like Redrow Developments, you’ll be able to see what kind of properties are out there and what, if any, appeal to you and your family’s needs.
There are so many factors that you’ll be looking out for. But for a start, you might want to consider whether you want to go into a new build or older home.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both of course. With a newer property, you’re likely to have much of the work still under warranty, so if there are any snagging issues you’ll be able to have them fixed quickly. You may be able to choose fixtures and fittings if the property is still being built, to add your own personal touches.
Newer homes also tend to be more energy-efficient and better insulated which will help keep the cost of running the property down and are likely to have modern security fittings with them as standard.
You’re also likely to become part of a ready-made community quite quickly and often new builds attract people similar to you, so some friends for your children might well be literally on your doorstep.
Naturally, there can be some downsides that might include inadequate parking, rooms and floor space that, overall, are smaller than older properties and a feeling of being crowded together in the more densely populated estates.
Budget
Clearly budget plays a huge role in the types of property you’ll be looking at and it’s worth talking to your mortgage adviser long before you consider putting an offer in anywhere. You should look online at mortgage calculators from different websites and if you find one that seems to tick all your boxes then get a quote.
However, if you are struggling to book an appointment with an independent mortgage advisor might help. You might be surprised at the kinds of deals they can offer you, thanks to a little expertise on their end.
When you do find a property and are considering making an offer. It is worth talking to the estate agent to try and find out a little about the seller’s circumstances.
Find out, for example, if they’re in a chain and are desperate to sell. It may be they don’t have anything to go on to and are therefore more willing to wait for an offer near their asking price.
Ask if the seller is selling the property for themselves or if they’ve inherited it and are selling on behalf of family members. All these factors will help you to determine how much you want to offer and the likelihood that your buyer will accept.
Most buyers will always go in at a price well below what the property is on for with the expectation that the seller will do the same and the two will be able to find a figure that all parties are happy with.
Make sure you do have a top figure in mind and stay well within in that limit, particularly if the property you’re looking at needs a little work.
Do-er Upper
One great way of finding a great house in a great location is to opt for one that needs work. The level of work you might be willing to take on will certainly depend on your own expertise. If you’re a dab hand with electrics, then you might be willing to buy something that needs some of the basics to put right but there are plenty of bargains to be had for buyers willing to put in a few weeks’ work with a paintbrush and some wall filler.
If you have a handyman in your contacts then it may be well worth getting a quote for any work that needs doing. This can be offset against the amount of money you’ll be saving on your not-quite-perfect property.
Before you make your mind up about going through with buying any property, make sure to get a survey done. Look for any major problems that you’ll to address straight away. These are usually connected to damp. But a fuller survey will also highlight any other issues such as the roof and so on. It’s well worth finding out what you might be taking on before you commit to the sale.
Searching for your dream property is as much as to do with luck as anything. At least that’s the way it sometimes feels. Looking at the right time and in the right place can feel like a random process and landing that mix of location and home sometimes feels like an impossible task. But it can be done.
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