Finding Your Forever Home

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and start searching for your dream forever home. Before you set up those initial viewings, take steps towards putting your current property on the market. This could take longer than you think, so it makes sense to start the process as early as possible. You can find advice on how to prepare your house for sale by reading one of my old posts. Once you’ve got the ball rolling, it’s time to get on with the serious business of finding the right home for you and your family…

Do your research

It doesn’t matter how lovely the house is if it’s not in an area that suits you and your family. Spend time finding out the pertinent facts about potential areas to make sure you get it right. Check on the crime statistics for your chosen area to find out if it’s safe. If you have kids, find out about local schools – are they performing well, and are they the right places for your children? If you don’t drive, or you don’t want to have to use your car every time you need a pint of milk – find out about how close local shops and services are to your potential new property.

Size is everything

Whether you’re going for a house that is small but perfectly formed, or you need lots of space for all your stuff – choose the size carefully. If you choose a property that is too large, you are likely to encounter additional unexpected expenses when it comes to furnishing it. You should also think about whether or not you will be able to keep it clean and heat it – there isn’t much point in having a beautiful home if it’s too hard to look after it! If you’re opting for a more bijou pad, make sure there is going to be enough space for all your stuff – there’s nothing more maddening than having your removals company struggling to find places to put everything, so plan how everything will fit before you even consider moving in.

Don’t be put off by bad décor

Just because a property isn’t decorated to your taste doesn’t mean that it can’t be transformed into your dream home. If the area is right, and you’ve got enough space, consider tasteless décor to be a blank canvas from which you can create your own personal stamp. That horrible avocado suite is the basis for your gorgeous new wet room – so take another look and start using your imagination!

Trust your instincts

The best way to find your forever home is to have faith in your own instincts. Even if it meets all your requirements, if it doesn’t feel right – don’t be afraid to move on and keep looking. This is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make, so trust your gut to make sure you get it right.

Finding your dream house might take time, but when everything comes together – the sense of contentment and pride you’ll get will be amazing, so it’s well worth being a stickler for detail.

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