The housing market is difficult for buyers at present, with limited properties available for sale and numerous buyers anxious to make a move.
But this doesn’t mean that buyers should settle for a property that isn’t right for them. By asking the right questions and being patient you can ensure that you still end up with the ideal home for you.
Beth Pollard from estate agency House and Home Bespoke has some tips for finding the perfect home in a housing boom.
Location, location, location
Although it’s a cliché, location is crucial. You need to concentrate on the right area for you. If it’s a location that is likely to have good resale potential, so much the better.
You need to give some serious consideration to whether you want a rural escape, village life, city living or an easy commute to London or another major town or city.
Not just an investment
Beth always tries to give buyers a feel for the lifestyle they will have with a home, believing it shouldn’t just be an investment, you need to find somewhere you will be happy as well. Try to get a feel for a potential property beyond just the double glazing and presentation.
Make visits at different times of the day
A property can have a very different feel on a rainy evening than it does on a sunny morning. It will also give you a chance to view the neighbourhood at different times of day to see whether it is particularly busy or noisy sometimes.
Use your imagination
Whether the house is decorated and furnished to your taste or not, you need to try and picture what it will be like once the sellers have left. In particular, if the property is not currently to your taste, try to ignore the furnishings and picture the space as you would like to use it.
It is more important to make sure that the space and flow of the property is right for you than whether you like the current interior design.
Ask questions
Beth encourages her buyers to ask questions and not to be intimidated by their estate agent. She likes all her buyers and sellers to view their relationship with her as more of a consultative conversation, where she is happy to answer any questions they may have.
Getting ready to move
If you are thinking about buying a property in the current hot market, preparation is key to being able to move quickly enough to secure the home that you want.
If you will need a mortgage, ask your lender for a decision in principle to minimise any delays. You can also go ahead and instruct a solicitor to act for you so that as soon as you have an offer accepted you can give the estate agent their details.
Both of these points will demonstrate to the agent and their seller that you are a serious buyer who is ready to move.
If you would like to speak to one of our expert property lawyers, ring us on 0333 305 5189 or email us at info@lpropertylawyers.co.uk
