The homes we live in are often among the most significant purchases we make in our lifetimes. The process of buying a house, moreover, is wrought with potential difficulty. Any step we can take to lessen the cost and avoid stress in the long run is therefore surely a worthwhile one.
Let’s run through a few of the things to keep in mind when you’re going through the process.
Set a Budget
If you know how much you have to spend, then you won’t be distracted into going beyond your means, and ending up with a property that’s more of a burden than it is a blessing. This might mean compromising on your grand vision – but it might also mean discovering what’s really important to you when you come to evaluate the available options at a given price point. You might have decided that a garage and a long garden are non-negotiables – but you might come to realise that other things appeal just as much.
Check for Damp
Damp is something that should turn you off a house purchase. It’s a problem that’s difficult to eradicate over the long term, and which will potentially affect the resale value. Look for mould, flaking plaster, and watermarks, and a persistent smell.
Check for Cracks
Big long cracks might indicate a building that’s not going to stand the test of time. Before you put down your money, you should get a survey commissioned. There are a multitude of surveying options, some of which will go into more detail than others.
Which way does the House Face?
Houses in the UK, being in the northern hemisphere, receive sunlight from the south. This will affect where and when you’re going to get shadows in the garden, and whether the herbs growing on your kitchen windowsill will receive the sunlight they need.
Are the Utilities up to scratch?
If you determine that the entire house needs a rewire, and the central heating system needs to be completely ripped out and replaced, then you might find that you end up spending several thousand pounds more.
Be aware of these potential costs when you’re putting in your offer in the first place. The investment in a quality combination boiler will give you peace of mind, if upgrades are required.
Does it have enough storage space?
The size and accessibility of the attic space might have a significant impact on the way that you use the rest of the home. You’ll want to be able to stow unused items away when they aren’t being used, and you’ll want to be able to do it easily.
