Buying a new home can be daunting experience. Depending on the reasons for buying – relocation, moving closer to work and schools, upsize or downsize according to family needs – there are various factors that need to be taken into account.
My husband and I have just bought a new home, our reasons being moving closer to work and school for our little one. But it was not a quick process. We have been hunting for months, and just couldn’t find the right place to suit our needs. Being a growing family, size is an issue, so an apartment would not be ideal. I also love my garden, as does my explorative daughter. And I am a big fan of space, which some of the compact-living homes do not afford.
Here are some of the most important factors I found need to be considered when hunting for a new home:
– Research: this is one of the most important factors I have discovered – research the property and its history, research the neighbouring areas
– Evaluation: get a professional evaluation done of your property
– Zoning: are you fully aware of the zoning rights of your neighbouring properties – i.e. could an office block be built?
– Legalities: be absolutely certain of what processes, costs and waiting periods need to be followed in the process of transferring the property
– Location: does it suit your medium to long-term needs?
– Security
– Size: can your family grow into it?
– Layout: if you are not looking at renovation, is the design and layout of the home something you will be able to live with for the next good couple of years?
– Entertainment: if you enjoy entertaining, will the current area suffice?
– “Feel“: does the house have the right “feel” for you; do you feel comfortable in it?
– Maintenance: if there are things like a swimming pool, ponds, etc, are you prepared for the maintenance?
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