What you need to look for (and questions to ask) when house hunting

We understand that it can be easy to get carried away when you have decided to buy a new house. After all, it is an incredibly exciting time, as you ponder what your future holds.

However, it is crucial not to rush into a huge decision that you might later come to regret. Buying a home is a significant commitment, so thinking things through and being confident that a particular property is the one for you is a shrewd use of your time.

Here, we take a look at some of the factors you should consider if you are to get it right in the property market as a buyer.

• Location, location, location

It goes without saying that the location of your house or flat is of paramount importance. Many people will put up with slight imperfections if they are based in the place they are happiest to call home.

Think about where you want to live before you start to view properties. The most important issues to consider are the proximity of your home to local schools, should you have children, and to your place of work.

• Size

Getting the size of your property just right is perhaps more important than you think, as there are significant problems associated with purchasing an abode that is either too large or too small.

While your dream home might feature four or five bedrooms, if you live alone it is impractical to maintain all of these. Similarly, if you are expecting to add to your family in the coming years, it can pay to invest in a home that is large enough for this now rather than be forced to move again in the future.

• Potential for resale

Many properties are likely to come with a drawback or a weak point attached. After all, how many of us can afford to buy the ultimate property with no flaws whatsoever?

While you should not be scared to compromise in order to find a house that fits your budget and ticks most of the boxes, you should consider whether any perceived problems could be an obstacle when it comes to you selling the property on at a later date.

• Neighbourhood

When you are buying a home, remember it is not only everything within the four walls that will impact on your quality of life. The immediate vicinity and the wider neighbourhood should both be viewed at length and evaluated.

If you do not like the prospect of heavy traffic, it is wise to avoid main roads and schools, while those of you who rely on public transport might be wise to look towards town centre properties. You can also analyse just how safe an area is with the help of the latest local crime statistics.

• Situation factors

Every property is different, so before you buy you should get to grips with some of the factors that make yours unique. For instance, if it is located on a hill, consider whether it offers nice views or if there are too many stairs to climb.

Depending on your willingness to spend time in the garden, it is wise to find a home with an amount of outdoor space you can easily manage. And if you and your family have several cars, finding somewhere with off-road parking could be a good move.

When you have fallen in love with a property and decided to make an offer, it is still important not to cut any corners. No matter how convinced you are that it is the home of your dreams, you are advised to have a survey completed as this can help to flag up any issues that might not be immediately apparent.

By working with an experienced and trusted estate agent, you will learn all there is to know about your future property and everything you will need to do to get it in top shape.

For more information on buying a property, check out our Buying Advice section. Or start your property search now.