It’s hard not to think of finding the ultimate dream when we begin searching for a property. Maybe, just maybe (we think), what if we find a home that’s not too far from civilization but totally private, a place that needs no work doing but is much cheaper than other houses of its type, a place with all the mod-cons and even additional enhancements like a pool or expansive driveway space?
Of course, all of this is possible to some degree, provided you have the cash for it. But not all families have an overabundance of wealth to help them get on the property ladder, and even if they did, that doesn’t mean finding good value or the right place is guaranteed.
As you can see in our guide for buying a house when broke, good taste, careful planning and due diligence is often more important than wanton acquisition. Furthermore, reassessing your priorities and knowing what to search for, and what really matters, is key.
In this post, we hope to approach that topic with care. Let’s get started:
Comforting Community
Looking for that sense of community is not always fruitful due to changing norms and the atomization of many local neighborhoods. But this is not always true, as is the case with Cedar Mills and best-kept-secret locations near it. Find a worthwhile property there, and you can check it out to help expand your viewpoint and see just what community life is like, from the pubs or cafes that sit there, to the stores, open markets, celebratory events each year, and public buildings like museums or art galleries. Comforting community is almost always worthwhile.
Picturing The Future
It’s important to picture the future to the degree that you can, and to make that a guiding star regarding how you see yourself in a location. A space may look like the perfect home for your family unit right now, but what if you expand the family? Could you bring pets here? Can you renovate and convert the house as appropriate? What changes are fine to make, suck as installing a staircase banister, and which would take thorough work, such as thoroughly repairing the roofing system before you move in? Considering the utility of your daily living situation can make a tremendous difference when considering the value of this investment.
Dealbreakers
Every family has dealbreakers that they’re uncomfortable living with, or perhaps exacting priorities that they wish to keep. Perhaps, moving into the family home means potentially allowing a grandparent to stay in the future too, given their ageing years. It might be that searching for a property with a spare bedroom on the ground floor is key, then. Or, perhaps your dealbreaker is that living too close to a main road is not acceptable, due to the fact that you wish for your cats to roam free, or to feel less worried about children playing in the garden. This can guide your hand.
With this advice, you’re much more likely to search for your first family home in the best way.