| Property consultants’ house buying tips | | | | location of shops, schools and other amenities and |
| revealed | | | | ask yourself if the house is in the right place. If |
| For most of us, buying a house is something we | | | | you enjoy going to the gym three times a week, |
| will only do a handful of times. | | | | will you still be able to do that if you move five |
| It’s a necessary evil that we have to put up | | | | miles down the road? It’s the little things that |
| with so we can live in the house of our dreams in | | | | people can overlook. |
| the perfect area. | | | | Never judge a house by its decorating |
| There are some people who enjoy the process | | | | Don’t like the wallpaper? Think the kitchen is |
| so much that they set up as property | | | | a 1970s throwback? Not a problem – you can |
| consultants, to help other people get the dream | | | | replace these items. Décor should never be a |
| home they’ve always wanted. | | | | reason to reject a house. Yes, you should ensure |
| A lot of these property consultants operate in the | | | | any modernising needed is reflected realistically in |
| commercial sector, but there are some that help | | | | the price, but it shouldn’t become a deal |
| residential buyers as well. | | | | breaker. |
| To help you get your next property purchase | | | | Top property consultants advise you focus on |
| correct, here are some of the property | | | | the things that are very hard or expensive to |
| consultants’ house buying tips: | | | | change, such as a sagging roof or dark rooms |
| Research research research | | | | without much natural light. It’s nice to walk |
| The key to any good purchase is looking into | | | | into a house which doesn’t need much work |
| every factor that could affect the house in any | | | | doing to turn it into your home, but can be rare. |
| way. And that doesn’t just mean prices – | | | | It’s also worth bearing in mind the owners will |
| that’s the easy bit, using the internet and | | | | have done things to property to make it seem |
| your local newspaper to look at how much similar | | | | more attractive to you. If a bedroom looks lovely |
| properties sell for locally, and how that compares | | | | and spacious, ask yourself if they have removed |
| to the countrywide property prices. | | | | essential furniture to make it seem that way! |
| Property consultants say the research you should | | | | Focus more on how easy or difficult it will be to |
| really do is what it’s actually like to live in this | | | | fit your furniture into this space, rather than |
| house. Don’t be afraid to knock on | | | | what’s already there. |
| neighbours’ doors and ask them if there are | | | | Ensure your head and heart get an equal say |
| ever any problems in the street. Park up and | | | | We’ve all done it: fallen in love with a |
| watch what happens during busy drive times. Is | | | | property and managed to justify its purchase |
| this road used as a rat run or by local school kids | | | | within our own head, despite the fact the roof is |
| as a short cut to school? Is there a kebab van | | | | about to fall off and the neighbours hold raves in |
| parked here for local clubbers at 1am every | | | | their garden at 4am every Sunday. |
| morning? | | | | Equally, if you have ever bought a house because |
| Similarly scan the local paper for crime reports in | | | | “it looks good on paper”, that is just as |
| the area. The best thing you can do is keep your | | | | bad. All property consultants agree that your |
| eyes open – it’s amazing what you will | | | | purchase should be a fine balance between what |
| spot when you look for it. | | | | your heart and brain want. Find a sensible |
| Carefully think it through | | | | property and ensure you can fall in love with it, |
| You should consider your lifestyle and how you | | | | especially when you have spent time making it |
| want this house to fit into that. Look at the | | | | into your home. |