Arcola Library

Tips on buying a home

Buying a new home or it may be your first home is exciting. People should have a check-list on what is important to them. Before purchasing a home or renting you should look into a number of things before making a commitment to a property. Here are some things you should think about before jumping head first into a contract.

The location should be considered carefully when looking at houses for many reasons. Driving around different areas will give you an idea of what the place is like. Look around you, can you see yourself feeling safe and comfortable here? Have a look at crime in he area you can do so on the internet you never know what a location is like until you have researched it.

The place where you are moving to must have certain things for it to work. Looking at the length it will take you to get to work will give you an indication if the location is feasible.

If the location is a reasonable distance from your work then you should look at other factors like your children's schools. Can they go on the bus? Can you drive them there? Looking at the league tables may help you to make a decision also.

What is available in the area? Are there any activities for you and the family to enjoy like, swimming pools, fun days out and is it close to major road networks. Having your house on a main road is something you may not want but knowing it is a short drive from a major road is useful.

Do you want a new or old house? New houses tend to not hold their value like Victorian or listed properties as they do not have the character which an old house offers. Don't be fooled by old homes thinking you can knock walls down and commence DIY easily. Some older properties are not allowed to be changed and the council will tell you what you can and can't do to the property.

New houses do have benefits for example all of the electricity, heating, flooring windows fixtures and fittings will be brand new meaning you may not need to replace them for a very long time. Another bonus is that the house will be ready for you when you move in. If you reserve the plot before it's built you can choose the type of kitchen and extras you may want.

How much home improvement do you want to do when you move in? If you have time on your hands to take on board extensive home projects then something cheaper which needs work doing to it could be for you. This is something you may not want to toy with if you are at work a lot and do not enjoy DIY.

What kind of home do you want? Semi detached, terrace, detached, flat? There are so many to choose from so make sure you have taken into consideration how much space you need. If you need a garage then look for properties with garages or ones where you can have one built.

Be clear about what you want. You should be open to some level of compromise but make sure the house you buy has most of the attributes which you are looking for.

Make sure that all the checks have been carried out when you move in. Has the building been checked for damp? 
Ask questions about the property such as cavity wall installation and how well the central heating system works, how long ago the boiler was fitted? These are all extra costs which you may not have calculated for.

Last but definitely not least is the structure safe. Are there any sunken parts to the house and has it been checked out my surveyor. This may seem pedantic but it's better to be prepared than to get into your new home and find many hidden costs.