As we enter a new year, many of us are looking forward to fresh starts and, for some of us, this means a new home. Now, if you have little ones, you may be reluctant to move, as this can cause upheaval in their lives. But for the right home, it could be worth making this shift for the long-term benefits. Of course, house hunting is a long and complicated process, so it’s best to plan well before diving in the deep end. Here’s some advice to help you achieve this!
Create a Checklist
The first thing you should do before getting started with your search for a new home is to know exactly what you want and what you’re looking for. This will allow you to advise your estate agent and they will be able to make more informed recommendations and viewings for you, saving you time and effort during the property search. Make sure to consider all factors of what is important for you in a home. It’s a good idea to keep a checklist, ordered by priority. Some of the factors below should feature!
Consider the Location
Area should be the first decision you make when searching for a new home. Then, you can look at actual properties available within the area and whittle down your options. So, where would you like to live? Do you want to be close to friends and family? Do you need your home to be close to a specific school or within a catchment area? Do you want to live near your workplace? Do you need easy access to public transport options and links? You should also consider factories such as safety and crime rates in areas you’re considering.
Consider the Community
You should find a nice community for you and your little ones to spend time in. Good neighbors can make life a lot easier. Take a look at Jennifer Jewell for some quality recommendations and unique locations that could really tick all of your boxes.
Consider Property Size
If you have kids, or if you’re planning on expanding your family, you really need to consider the size of your home? Are your little ones currently sharing a room? Might they need separate rooms soon? Are you planning more children? Or pets? Will you have the space for them. Think ahead, as this will save you the time, effort and cost of another move later down the line. Having a bigger property and filling it is better than having the right size property for the current moment and quickly outgrowing it.
Consider Make or Break Features
You should make sure that you decide which features are essential and which are just nice-to-haves. This will make choosing a property much easier. Do you need a garage? Or could street parking be fine? Do you want a garden for pets and your little ones? Or is this not essential and the park down the road will suffice?
Consider How You will Finance Your Purchase
You will need to take a long, hard look at your finances and work out what you can afford. This includes not just the mortgage payments but also things like home insurance, council tax, water rates and TV license. You should also consider the potential for repairs and renovations that might need to be carried out once you’ve moved in. All of these factors will need to be considered when you’re making an offer on a property. Hard money bridge loans are a great way to finance your home if you have the necessary equity.
As you can see, planning a move means taking a lot into consideration. But hopefully, some of the considerations above will help you in your decision making!
