
Tips for Finding the Perfect Home/Apartment for You
Buying a home can be stressful and exciting all at the same time. It’s quite the adventure! It’s rare to find something that meets ALL of your requirements and fits in with your budget, whether that’s if you’re buying or renting. Often you need to look at the bigger picture and what potential the property could have within your budget. However it can be possible to find something that’s almost perfect for you and that with a few tweaks here and there, you can make it ideal for you.
Keep an open mind
From the outset, lower your expectations and keep an open mind. Perfection is often a pipe dream, so unless you want to be house hunting for many years to come or you have an endless budget, don’t assume you are going to find THE perfect house straight away with everything exactly as you want it. There may well be flaws with a lot of places you look at, for example, the bathroom could be too small or the wallpapering could be terrible but know that it’s what you do after moving in that counts. So while a house may not be perfect at the beginning, if the majority of it is right for you and it’s in the area that you want, etc. you can make changes later. Try not to be put off if you view a house and it has wallpaper that you hate, these things are cosmetic and can be changed relatively quickly and cheaply.
Make a list
Write down what your perfect home looks like. Not a dream, fantasy home, but a realistic home and include a list of things your home needs to have. You might want room for a home office, for example, or you might want it to be near your place of work. Then list those things that would be nice to have but aren’t essential, such as smart features or an extra bathroom. With a checklist of items, you have something to help you when you’re on searching for your next home.
Budget
When it comes to choosing your perfect home, your expectations can end up being curtailed because of how much you can afford. Be realistic; don’t expect to move into a mansion if you can only afford to live in a two bed terraced house. Speak to your bank, find out what they can offer you as a mortgage and then speak to an independent financial/mortgage advisor to see what you can get from other lending providers. Once you know what you can afford, you can then start to look at houses within your price range. While you’re looking around, remember to factor in the other costs that are involved with moving and then the ongoing costs of running that house, for example electricity, gas, etc., as you need to make sure that you are able to afford to pay the bills for that property as well as the mortgage and day to day living costs.
Your perfect home will no longer be perfect for you if you can’t afford to live your life at the same time.
Let your head rule over your heart
Usually you would be encouraged to listen to your gut instinct and what your heart is telling you but since buying a property will probably be the biggest financial purchase you’ll ever make, it is important to let you head rule over your heart.
You might find a home that you think is almost perfect, but it may still not be the right one. You might fall in love with it, but you still need to think carefully. Can you hear the neighbours through the wall? Is the location a crime hot spot? Are there any defects to the building that could cost you a bomb down the line like subsidence? Do your research; check out the area that the house is in at various times of the day and night, look online at crime statistics and make sure you get a homebuyer survey to ensure the property is worth moving into. Once you have all of that information, it’ll be easier for you to make an informed decision over whether this property really is for you or not. Jumping the gun and letting your heart rule could end up being a very costly mistake.
Come to a decision
After viewing plenty of properties and checking out their credentials, you’ll be in a much better position to make an informed decision. Remember you can’t change the area or what is around you, only the inside of the property, with the usual limitations if you’re renting rather than buying, but regardless of where your home is, once you close the door and its yours and you’re at home and that’s a really lovely feeling. Make it your own, plan your renovations however big and small and really put your stamp on the place.
Sure you might not be able to put that downstairs loo that you really want in straight away but if everything else with the property is perfect for you then save up for a few years and then get it down. Prioritize what needs to be done sooner rather than later and enjoy the process. Owning a home is a huge achievement, as is moving out, renting and supporting yourself on your own, so be proud of how awesome you’ve done and enjoy the many happy years ahead of you in your home.