Home is where the heart is, right? These 7 helpful tips will help you find your dream home this year
* Don’t limit yourself to only one area when searching for your dream home. When you are searching for an area to buy in, also take a look at the immediate surrounding suburbs because you never know what hidden jewels are waiting to be discovered next to your key suburb. * Consider properties 20% below and 20% above your budget amount. When you search below your budget you may find very good deals; the seller could be in a particular hurry to sell or the property may need a bit of maintenance. Both these factors would enable you to buy at a lower price all while still meeting many of your other needs! In terms of searching above your budget go right ahead as many sellers are open to negotiation. * You probably have some non-negotiables like requiring a double garage or a three bedroom home and it is important that you stick to these from the get go. Decide early on what is absolutely crucial to you and only view properties that match that criteria. You don’t want to end up with buyer’s remorse or waste your time! * Trust your gut – can you visualise yourself growing old in this home? Is there enough space should your family expand or your working circumstances change and you require a home office for instance? Don’t only focus on the right now, but also on the future. * If there is anything disturbing about the home first ask yourself whether it can be easily fixed. Will fixing it entail something like painting the roof or fixing a tile or is it a more permanent problem that is impossible to change like a neighbourhood you don’t like? Some things are much easier remedied than others! * Once you have created a shortlist – preferably of no more than five properties - that you really like speak to the estate agent and arrange for a second viewing. Don’t confuse yourself by considering second viewings of properties you are uncertain about or looking at too many. * Take someone you trust with you to a second viewing – viewing too many properties can become a tedious task and you can momentarily forget what you really like and what not! Someone close to you will however immediately be able to say if the particular home is your style or cramping your style!
