Buying a home is a rite of passage that many of us hope to go through. From first signing up to the online property portals to finding out what mortgage rates you qualify for, hunting down your dream home, negotiating the legal and financial side of the house sale, and arranging your move, the process is full of uncertainty. There’s no user manual, and a lot of unknown variables to contend with. So here are a few things you may not have considered before making the biggest purchase of your life.
You Need Proper Legal Guidance
The quality of the conveyancing you receive can have a huge impact on the smoothness and success of your move. Rather than signing up with the firm with the lowest charges, be clever and do some homework – look for reviews or personal recommendations from people you know who have been through the same process recently. If you find a firm like Anthony Stockton Solicitors, the quality of service can have a massive bearing on the speed of completion and the resolution of any issues – when you’re making the biggest purchase of your life, it’s not a good idea to cut corners. Work with experienced professionals to minimise the chances of anything going wrong.
Evaluate The Property Carefully
It’s all too easy to fall in love with the ‘ideal’ home on a first viewing, or get sucked into a bidding war with other potential buyers, especially if you’re buying in a desirable area. But make sure that you do a careful check for any problems in the property which could cost you dearly in the future. Any sign of mould and damp needs to be carefully investigated with a specialist damp survey – you may want to build the cost of corrective works into the agreed sale price, or stipulate that the vendor needs to make the repairs prior to sale. Check that toilets and taps work properly, that the boiler and heating system are functioning well and the water pressure is good. Finding an issue doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to call the sale off – you just need a realistic idea of what it will cost to put right so that you can factor that into your offer. Don’t be afraid to ask to return with a tradesman to get a quote before agreeing a purchase.
Use Your Head
Purchasing a home can be an emotional process, but you need to try and use your head more than your heart. If something isn’t right, don’t be afraid to walk away. Another home will come along eventually, and you need to be absolutely sure you’re making the right decision for you. Equally, remember to bring your negotiation skills to the table. Now isn’t the time to be shy about asking for money off or repairs to be made – once you’ve moved in, you’ll be glad you did. As a buyer, you need to be in control of the process and not afraid to chase up your solicitors and the property agent to get the answers that you need.
