House Buying Tips
- Carefully research the area that you are interested in moving into. Have a good walk around and get a feel for the neighbourhood. Check the area at night as well as during the day.
- Ensure your finances are sorted out at the initial stage. Obtain verbal loan approval to ascertain the budget available to you. Set your maximum price and do not exceed this.
- Once you have decided on an area, tell everyone you know. They may also keep an eye out on your behalf for any interesting properties.
- Keep in regular contact with your estate agents so you get early warning of new properties on the market.
- Amenities - check how well the property is serviced in terms of public transport, schools, parks, shops, etc.
- When you find a suitable looking property, check how long it has been on the market. If it has been a long time there is usually a very good reason.
- It is advisable to have your own independent survey carried out regardless of the age of the property.
- If you plan to make alterations to the property, get work cost estimates and include these in your budget before committing yourself.
Never go into any property transaction blind. Do the above homework and think it through carefully. After all, for most of us, it is the largest investment of our life.