New Year, New Home? Points To Consider Before You Buy Or Build

Are you thinking about moving to pastures new, or are you toying with the idea of buying a bigger house or even building your own home? If a move might be on the cards in 2020, it’s wise to plan ahead, do some research and make sure you consider these crucial points.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/farm-shed-cabin-shack-countryside-336549/

Your Budget

Most of us have a limit when it comes to how much we can afford to spend on a new home. If you are considering moving then it’s a good idea to get your finances in order and to try and determine how much you have available to put down as a deposit and how much you can borrow. Once you have a budget in mind, you can filter out houses that are too expensive and focus on projects or properties that are affordable.

If you’re tempted by the option of building your own house or taking on a major renovation project, it’s vital to do some sums and work out the total cost. You’ll need to factor in building costs, materials, labour and extras like legal fees and charges for work needed to satisfy planning regulations. If you’re converting a barn, for example, you might need to have a bat survey done and a firm like Arbtech can help. When you’re calculating costs, it’s always beneficial to round numbers up and to try and put a contingency fund aside just in case you hit stumbling blocks along the way. 

Your Wish List

We all have different ideas, opinions and preferences when it comes to our homes. Before you start looking for a new house or a plot of land to build on, make sure you know what you’re searching for. What are the essentials, what are the desirables and what can you live without? It’s worth remembering that you can often modify houses to make them more suitable, for example, adding an extension to create an extra bedroom or a large family kitchen.

Once you have your priorities in order, this will make your search easier. If you find that there’s nothing out there that ticks all or most of the boxes, and you’re exploring the option of building, take a look at other projects online, get some quotes for the work needed and weigh up the pros and cons. You want a home that you love the look of, but the property also needs to work on a practical level. 

Your Instinct

If you’ve ever been house hunting before, or you’ve watched TV programmes when property experts help buyers find their dream home, you’re probably aware of the power of a gut feeling. Your instinct can be incredibly valuable when choosing a home. Many people get a positive feeling about a property before they even set foot through the door. Use your head, but don’t be afraid to let your heart and your gut influence your decision too. 

Picture courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/photo/home-real-estate-106399/

If the arrival of a new year has got you thinking about upping sticks and moving on, hopefully, this guide will help you prepare to take the next step. 

                                 

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Tracy Kiss

Social influencer, Bodybuilder, Mother, Vegan
London, UK

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