What Should I look For In An Area When Moving House?
Essential Guide For Moving House?
So your moving house, maybe from rented accommodation onto the first rung of the property ladder? Or you are a seasoned mortgage owner and are looking for the next homestead? Or it could be your moving house to upsize or downsize? Whatever your reason for moving, what you really need to consider first is what areas you are interested in moving to.
Maybe your current rental accommodation has been in an area that never really suited you, maybe your flat of choice was actually a choice made for you due to financial constraints, but now you are in a position to venture onwards and upwards. Or possibly it could be the opposite, you are moving house because your area is now pricing itself out of your comfort zone and so youâre planning to move slightly farther away. Not far enough not to enjoy the perks of the area but just far enough away to enable you not to be restricted by the ever-growing costs of living there!
We all know that buying/moving house can be exciting but itâs also very nerve-wracking. Itâs a big decision and there is so much to think about â first time buyer or not! Â Buying a property is also a massive investment, so itâs important you feel confident and happy with the area you intend to move to. Â Preparing, researching and asking lots of questions will enable you to make the correct informed choice.
House viewings â take your time, ask lots of questions and donât go alone!
Make sure you do this more than once. A few visits are the norm. Â Potential buyers nowadays want to view their potential new home in the daytime, evening and at the weekend, especially if itâs located in a busy area of town. Donât worry that youâre being an inconvenience to the sellers, most if not all sellers will (or should) expect this nowadays.
Remember you are buying a property â so this is a BIG deal â Â donât feel uncomfortable asking the seller lots of questions or spending time thoroughly inspecting each room. Remember the purpose is for you to be able to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase or not. Â Ask about the neighbours. Â If the property is near the main road ask about the noise levels at night. Â If the home is near late nights shops or any late-night venues ask about their opening hours/closing times etc, and if there have been any issues with these venues in the past. Most vendors will be truthful as they will know that if you are asking these questions of the seller, then you will more than likely be doing other research too. Â Afterwards, let them know you are planning to explore the neighbourhood to find out what amenities are nearby. They will more than likely give you more information on the surrounding area and add to your bank of information on the area you are considering moving to.
If youâre buying as a part of a couple/family then chances are you will be accompanied on any viewings, scouting of the area and general fact-finding mission for a potential area for relocating. Â However, if this is a sole purchase/venture then itâs a good idea to bring a friend. Itâs safer to attend a viewing with a partner or friend and itâs also easier to identify and/or raise any issues with the property with the seller when you have a supportive person by your side.
The local amenities â have this area got what I need?
Ensuring your home is close to local amenities, good schools, and public transport links etc will make you and your familyâs day-to-day life much easier. Â No frantic rush in the morning to make time for a long commute to the school or/and the workplace makes all the difference to everyoneâs mood! Â Itâs also a good selling point for the property in the future, as what attracts you is bound to attract other buyers too!
If you have young children and/or pets you may want to be near the local park for long walks and fun in the summer. School-age children will possibly want to be close to a library or their after school clubs. Â If you have teenagers they may consider good sporting facilities nearby, a gym, cinema etc as their priorities. Â Keep all this in mind when moving house as these are the very simple, yet very important, factors that bring ease and happiness to everyday family life.
Be honest and pragmatic about thingsâŚ..
Even if you are bowled over with the house, itâs crucial that you take a step back and look at the surroundings and area where the house is located. Â The area where you choose to live will make such an impact on your life, possibly an even bigger impact than the bricks and mortar of the house. When evaluating if this home could well be your next happy homestead please remember to list any/all negatives and positives and weigh them up and consider what is right for you.
We all require different âboxesâ to be ticked in life to be happy. Â However, you also donât want to get hung up on minor things like somebodyâs un-mowed lawn further along the street, or a barking dog who just happens to be out walking past with its owner when you are viewing. Â These are neighbour/ close living issues that are part of everyday life, so you have to be able to separate real problematic issues from normal day-to-day living.
Neighbouring houses with imposing structures, or with possible planning permission to extendâŚ.?
While itâs natural for building work/extensions to be made to peopleâs homes over the years, we are all aware of neighbouring feuds involving intrusive extensions/noisy builders for months on end which can negatively affect neighbours, and in turn blight neighbour relationships. Â This can be because of many issues, possibly an extension is blocking natural light to a neighbouring house, or indeed in some cases even access their home.
These issues in turn cause animosity/ bad feeling/ arguments and very often litigation, court cases and very expensive court fees! Â So itâs a good idea to also look around the neighbouring houses â the back gardens and courts. Â Get a feel for what, if any, building work is going on or has been completed recently. Â You can also ask the local council offices with regards to what is allowed and not allowed in your area with regards to extensions/planning permission etc. Â Itâs better to be forewarned of any possible building work that a close neighbour has planned. Our Courts and Planning/Land Laws are there to protect all house owners as much as possible, but to save yourself any possible future anguish and expense do your homework first!
What can we do in the area for fun?
Well for children/family time you may well want to check out any Local Events in your area via local websites in your area and sign up for updates. Â Check out the local library, or the local newsagents notice board! Coffee shops etc will also usually advertise local events such as Festivals, Fun Days at the Local Park, Community Jumble Sales etc. Â For local swimming activities/ summer clubs etc, again the local libraries/schools will be able to give you information.
For the older members of the family, you will want to know where the nearest restaurant is, the local bar/wine bar, or the most popular coffee shop. Â Nightlife and late-night entertainment â is this more than a short taxi ride away? Â Is that important to you? Â Remember what is important to you/ your family might not be what others would find important however this is about you and your family. Â So talk/discuss all aspects of your move with everyone who is involved. Make sure you are all on the same page. Â This way the âbig moveâ will much be less stressful for all!
Ok â so Iâve made my decision, what do I do next?
We recommend always to seek professional guidance. Â If youâre looking for a fast house sale so you can move into your new home quickly, contact the experienced professionals at allAgents and we can get that house move on the go asap! Please remember that having all the necessary and correct information from a trustworthy and reliable source ensures well-informed decision making at EVERY stage. Â We at allAgents ARE that trustworthy and reliable source.
There are many resources on our site to help assist you every step of the way through renting your property and all that that entails, thus ensuring a smooth transition and a successful outcome.
Your âmoving homeâ experience doesnât need to be stressfulâŚ
Not with allAgents on board!