Moving house is no small feat, and it’s not a decision you should take lightly. There are many reasons for wanting to move, and it’s important that you find a home that fits your needs, as you don’t want it to be a decision that you regret. There’s a lot you need to look out for when moving, and it can vary for each individual, but it’s something that you should take extra care with when viewing properties that you’re interested in.
Space
It’s very important that the home you’re moving into has enough space for you to feel comfortable in. Does it have enough rooms for you and whoever you’re moving with? Does it have enough space in the rooms for you to do what you want and relax? It can be hard to find the right kind of space in a property, and the more rooms and space a property has, the more it can cost!
Space is always desired, but keep in mind that there is such a thing as too much space too! If you’re moving into a new home on your own, it’s not likely that you’re going to want two bathrooms and three bedrooms, nor are you going to want to have a lot of empty and unused rooms!
Energy efficiency
The energy efficiency of a home is how much it’s going to take to warm and power your home when you need it. You can use tools like an energy efficiency property guide to help you find a home that’s not going to be too costly to function! It’s important that you keep this in mind as it’s not going to be included in the overall cost of the house - this is something that you’ll need to cover while you’re living there.
Possible damage
It should be the concern of any property viewer whether the place you’re looking at has any kind of damage done to it. Whether it’s cracking in the walls, dampness in the ceiling, or anything out of the ordinary! Even the smallest cracks can mean serious damage, and it’s something that you should be very aware of. The last thing you want is to buy a property and then have you deal with the surprise costs of getting repairs done. Home repairs can be expensive, and a horrible shock if you weren’t ready for them - so keep an eye out and don’t let something like that slip by!
How old is it
Generally, older housing can mean it’s more likely to have issues with it, especially if it hasn’t had any work done. Some houses still may have asbestos in them, some might be starting to damage from a long lifetime, make sure you know how old the property is before you make the decision, and know the risk that you’re taking on when you buy it!
The plumbing
The plumbing is important, and it’s not always something you can see when you visit a property. Dealing with faulty plumbing is difficult and a hassle, and you’ll likely need to call someone else to come and deal with it. If you can, try to make sure the plumbing is up to scratch, else you might find yourself moving into a house that you can’t use properly straight away! Whether it be a faulty shower or a leaky tap - you shouldn’t have to deal with any of that if you don’t choose to!
Can you hear the neighbors?
If there’s one thing that people don’t like, it’s having everything they say being heard by their neighbors, and alternatively, hearing everything their neighbors are saying. It defeats the point of buying your own home, and it’s a total breach of privacy! Try to see if the things that are being said can be heard from the other rooms, or try to listen for neighbors talking. Some houses have thin walls, so it’s a real possibility!
The local area
The area the home is in is very important, as you’re going to be spending a lot of time there, and you need to make sure it’s right for you. It needs to be a convenient space for you to live, and you need access to your essentials, so keep an eye out for things like that on your way to visit it! The people in the area should be considered too if you’re the sociable type, are your neighbors going to be friendly?
It can be hard to find the right property, and sometimes you might find yourself settling for something if you’re in a hurry to move out - but that doesn’t mean you should buy something that could end up costing you in the long run.
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