Buying a new house can be a daunting experience, and if it’s something you haven’t done before, it can seem twice as scary. Fortunately, with the right information, and knowledge of what you should be paying attention to and looking out for, there’s no reason for you to feel full of fear! Here, we’ve laid out the most important things to take into consideration when finding a new home, so you can take a breath and know you’re doing everything you should be.
Know what you are looking for.
Given the wide variety of options, it can be difficult when hunting for houses to figure out which one is best for you. Before you start looking, you should take the time to consider what it is about your current property that isn’t meeting your needs anymore. Do you need more space? Is the location not right for you? Are you hoping for a garden or a garage?
Make a list with details of what your ideal house should be like, and what you are hoping to avoid. Try to be realistic here! While you may not be able to check every item off the list when it comes to it, it will help you to keep in mind exactly what you’re looking for. If you categorise your list into the most important and the least important factors, you’ll have an idea of what you need and what you want.
Consider the area that you are looking to move to.
If you have somewhere specific in mind, be sure to do your research. There are the essentials, like finding out whether things like doctor’s surgeries and dentists have room for you, or if you’ll end up having to travel for these.
If you have young children, look into the local schools. Some property sites have handy ‘school checkers’ with plenty of information here, including links to Ofsted, which should give you an understanding of how the school is performing, and how suitable it is for your child. If your children are staying at their current schools, make sure you know what your commute will look like. There is a chance you could be adding additional time onto your morning routine, which may not be suitable.
Things like public transport and local community events are worth looking into as well. It may be worth spending a day in your chosen location to familiarise yourself with it, and see if you can imagine yourself living there. You might get the chance to speak to someone living locally, who could give you some inside knowledge of the area.
If you are Facebook savvy, you might like to find the local community page to get an idea of what is going on, and potentially raise an issue such as impending property development or a spate of crime.
Know your price range.
Possibly one of the most important things to consider, you will need to have a budget in mind for buying a house. Now, this can be hard to calculate, and while you can find information online with a Mortgage Calculator, you are better getting advice from a professional. You should remember to budget for what you can afford now, and not in the future, to make sure payments are realistic and manageable with the other costs of living.
There are deals out there for the first-time buyer, as well as the Help to Buy Scheme, so check if you are eligible.
It is important you don’t forget that the cost of the property is not the only fee when it comes to moving to a new house. Firstly, there is a deposit, then there will be things like stamp duty, mortgage fees, legal costs including surveys and searches, removal company (so you don’t break your back) to consider, and that’s beforehouse improvements and new furniture.
Here’s a helpful guide to all the costs.
Get you paperwork in order.
To make your mortgage offer go smoothly, try to get your paperwork in order and even check your credit rating here.
Use a professional.
We recommend getting in touch as soon as you have the sale agreed. Using a solicitor with the proper training and knowledge gives you the peace of mind in knowing that every box has been ticked and every question has been asked for that stress-free move. Regulated by the Law Society and their Conveyancing Scheme, plus our fees have no hidden costs; it really is not worth heading for the cheapest online conveyancing service.
If you are thinking of moving home, get in touch with our Residential Property team on 01937 547012 or email marie@hartlaw.co.uk. She can guide you through the next steps.
