Tips for finding your ideal property

Looking for a home can be one of the most stressful decisions most people make in life – particularly when you have the needs of a family to consider in your choices. For the majority of people, the purchase of a home is the single largest purchase they’ll make in their lifetime, so it’s important you get it right and don’t end up buying the wrong home.

How to find your perfect home?

When you consider that research shows most people in the UK stay in their homes for an average of 23 years, the decision of where to move becomes all the more important.

If you’re in the market for a new house, below are some tips you could follow recommended by property experts like www.whitakerseager.co.uk that could help you narrow down your choices and select a place that’s right for you and, if appropriate, your family.

The importance of location

Most people have heard the well-used phrase, “location, location, location,” and while this advice might seem as old as time, the underlying message remains as important today as ever. Unlike pretty much every other aspect of a home, location is one part that you can’t change. Perhaps even more importantly, however, the location of a home will have a huge bearing on its resale value and your opportunities for making a profit from living there.

Location is also of prime importance, as it will affect most aspects of your day-to-day life. Some of the main considerations you should think about include:

• Do you want a home in the country or would you prefer a more urban or suburban setting?
• How long is your commute to work and how good are the transport links in the area?
• Is the house located within the catchment areas of good schools? This point becomes hugely important for those already with a family or considering having kids in the future.
• Are there any parks or areas of greenery nearby?
• What are the shops like in the area? This point becomes more significant if you don’t own a car.
• What is the general neighbourhood like? Is the locale in a good state with well-tended gardens, clean pavements, etc.?

Think of a home as a long-term investment

In the vast majority of cases, owning a home will become more affordable the longer you stay in it, so there’s a convincing argument that stretching yourself at the start will be an investment that will pay off in the future. As people get older, they usually also earn more, which means what might be a little financial struggle at the start will get much easier. Moreover, the initial costs of fitting out a home with new furniture or other household upgrades tend to wane over time, making it more affordable.

It’s also worth remembering that most mortgages stay relatively fixed apart from perhaps smallish fluctuations linked to inflation rates. Consequently, as your earnings increase over time, the cost of a mortgage should feel considerably lower.