We all think that our next house will be the best one yet. And as homeowners we know there are a number of things we should be looking for in a new property or neighborhood. Read on to learn our top key pointers on what to do ahead of buying a new home to really make the next move the best one yet.

What home buyers need to know before searching for a new house

Buying a home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are many things to consider when buying a home and there are many different types of homes to choose from. You need to know what you want in your new house before you start looking for one because once you find the right one, it won’t wait around for you! Houses come and go on the market quickly, so you need to know exactly what you’re looking for before it’s gone. Below are a few things that people should keep in mind when they are contemplating buying their first home.

Using a real estate agent helps

The first thing that you might be thinking is that you can hop onto the computer, browse around and suddenly find the home of your dreams, but the reality is that it usually takes quite a lot longer than that. Not to mention needing to contact the real estate agencies, or private homeowners, and arrange viewings.

This is where a real estate agent can become useful; they’ll find all the suitable houses based on your needs, set up viewings, and handle all of the communication and paperwork. What you should be aware of is that when you use a real estate agent to buy or sell their home, the agent is legally allowed to charge you a solicitor’s fee. This fee is in addition to the agent’s commission and can add up to a significant amount of money. For this reason, it is important to be aware of solicitors’ fees before you enter into any agreement with a real estate agent, and you can learn more from this source. Of course, this will cost you, but it is far better than frustrating yourself by searching for hours on end and needing to speak to many people.

Will you have pets?

The next thing that you need to consider, which is quite important, is will you have pets. This question can sometimes be forgotten since most people are buying a house for the present. However, it is very important to consider the future. You should also consider the type of dog you will be getting in the future based on your preferences now.

Big dogs, like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, or even smaller dogs like Whippets, will need ample space to roam and run around. In addition to the garden, the actual size of rooms should be big enough to not feel boxed in when the dog is in the house.

When buying a house? Ensure space for everyone

Speaking about having space for dogs, having space for yourself and family members is also very important. Whilst you might not have a large family now, you should, again, consider the future. One day you might want to grow your family, in which case there need to be enough rooms for that, otherwise, you will need to sell your house and start the process all over again.

To avoid this, consider whether you will want a family in the future or not, and take it from there. Buying a home is a long-term investment, so choosing wisely now will allow you to plant your roots.

Repairs are costly

When many people buy homes, one of the most important factors is the price, which is understandable. However, this shouldn’t distract you from the future amounts you might have to pay, like the expression says, penny wise pound foolish.

When it comes to buying a house, this means that if you buy the house at a very low price, chances are you will have to pay for many repairs. This is where you will see the amount of money you spent on the house, which might tally up to more than what the house was worth. To avoid this, keep in mind that repairs are costly, and avoid houses that are very cheap because it needs a lot of maintenance.

Is the location good?

The final thing that you should consider is whether the location is good or not, and this is quite important. Consider that if you don’t work at home and have to travel to work, and the house you are thinking about buying is quite far away, not only does this mean you might have to leave earlier, it also means that you will spend quite a bit in gas or petrol every month.

A final word on buying a house

One final tip before buying a new home – find out what the crime rate is in the area. You might need to spend money installing a new security system.  And when planning trips away from the property find a housesitter to occupy your home. You might also need to find out how loud the neighborhood is, how friendly the neighbors are, and more.

FURTHER READING FOR HOMEOWNERS & PETOWNERS

At Housesitmatch.com we like to offer useful and practical articles on topics for our readers. In this selection we offer you a number of suitable pieces from our own blog on renovating and decorating a home.

Easy steps to buying a house 

New home construction vs home renovations

Dream home – How to build your own

New home features you didn’t know you would want

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities