The Housing Guide from
Housing.com
Home search. That’s not the easiest decision to make, is it?
All those options can be overwhelming, and you can’t really afford for this to
be a mistake. It’s the search for your next home, so you’ve got to nail this
one! Housing has for you a checklist to take you through it.
1. What do you need?
The best way to start your home search is to know what you are
looking for. Get a pen and paper and chalk out all the things that your next
home should be. How many bedrooms do you need? Can you do without the extra
parking slot? Is the balcony a necessity? Make sure you are clear that you
don’t mix up what you want with what you need. Necessities first.
2. Fix your budget.
It’s okay to have budget constraints. In fact, you should have
budget constraints. Property dealings are a huge investment, so make sure it’s
worth all those piles of money. Ensure that you have a clear idea about the
budget and be firm about your upper limit. Don’t let loan schemes and brokers
sway you from your decision. Like they say, don’t bite off more than you can
chew.
3. Locality locator.
Remember that it isn’t just about the house, but also about
what’s around it. Zero in on a locality after taking all the factors into
consideration. Demography, facilities, amenities, lifestyle etc. Make sure it’s
a safe neighbourhood, check the water supply, figure out the public transport.
It isn’t too far from your workplace, is it? Does it have good schools? Are
there any recreational activities? You may not realise it, but the little
things matter.
4. What do you see?
When you do visit the house, don’t just trust your eyes.
Brokers and landlords are in the habit of overselling their property, and you
don’t want to fall prey to that ploy. Do your homework. Talk to the neighbours,
ask them if there have been any problems with the house. Maybe there’s too much
noise pollution, or perhaps the building is much older than they claimed? Check
for loopholes, and ensure that you have made a thorough inspection. It’s not
about what it looks like, but about what you actually see.
5. Seize the day!
When you have made your decision, don’t just sit on it! It’s a
volatile market, and you never know what the next few weeks entail. The price
could escalate, too many competitive buyers could come in or the banks might
change their loan regulations. When it comes to real estate, the best time was
yesterday. And the next best is today. That’s your dream home in the pipeline,
there’s not a moment to be lost.
That’s all from the Housing desk. Happy house hunting!
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