You know your budget, you have your AIP in place, now lets look at what you need to remember when house hunting!
By the end of this chapter you’ll understand:
✓ How to choose a home that suits your lifestyle
✓ What to look for during a viewing
✓ The difference between freehold and leasehold
✓ The questions every buyer should ask
✓ How to know when you’ve found the right property
Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
This is often the most exciting stage of buying your first home. You’re scrolling through property websites, booking viewings and imagining what life could be like in each property.
It’s easy to picture where the sofa will go, how you’ll decorate the spare bedroom or where you’ll spend your first Christmas. While it’s perfectly natural to fall in love with a property, it’s equally important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
Remember, you’re not just buying a house. You’re choosing a place to build your life. The right property isn’t always the one with the nicest kitchen or the biggest garden, it’s the one that fits your lifestyle, your budget and your future plans.
Did You Know?
The average homeowner lives in their property for 9 years. Thinking about how your needs may change over time can help you choose a home you’ll continue to enjoy long after moving day.
Before you arrange a viewing
Property websites can tell you a lot before you even step through the front door.
Take time to consider:
Doing a little research beforehand can save time and help you focus on homes that genuinely meet your needs.
During the viewing
It’s easy to become distracted by fresh paint, stylish furniture or clever lighting. Try to look beyond the décor and focus on the property itself.
Ask yourself:
Is there enough space? – Think about your furniture, storage and how you’ll use each room every day.
How much natural light is there? – Visit at different times of the day if possible. A bright home can feel very different from one that’s naturally darker.
Is the property well maintained? – Look for signs of damp, cracks, damaged windows or anything that might require attention after you move in.
Can you imagine living here? – Forget the current owner’s furniture. Picture your own life in the property. Can you see yourself relaxing there after work? Would it still suit you in five years’ time?
A home isn’t just the building you buy. It’s also the community around it. When visiting an area, think about:
If possible, visit the area at different times of the day and on different days of the week. A quiet street on a Sunday afternoon may feel very different during weekday rush hour.
Freehold or leasehold?
One of the first legal terms you’ll come across is whether a property is freehold or leasehold.
Freehold
If you buy a freehold property, you own both the property and the land it stands on. You’re responsible for maintaining the property, but you don’t pay ground rent or need to worry about a lease expiring. Many houses are sold as freehold, although there are exceptions.
Leasehold
If you buy a leasehold property, you own the property for the length of the lease rather than owning the land itself.
Leasehold properties may involve:
Many flats are leasehold, although some houses can be too. If you’re buying a leasehold property, your solicitor will explain the terms of the lease in detail before you commit to the purchase.
Questions to ask the estate agent
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some useful ones include:
The more information you have, the easier it is to make an informed decision.
We often encourage buyers to view a property more than once before making an offer. The first viewing is usually emotional.
The second viewing is much more practical. You’ll often notice things you completely missed the first time around.
Alex and Sophie viewed a house with a stunning kitchen and immediately fell in love with it. Before making an offer, they visited the area again on a weekday evening.
They discovered that parking was difficult and the journey to work took much longer than expected. Although it was disappointing, they decided it wasn’t the right home for them.
A few weeks later, they found another property that better suited their lifestyle and they were glad they hadn’t rushed into a decision.
✓ How to compare properties objectively.
✓ What to look for during a viewing.
✓ The importance of researching the local area.
✓ The difference between freehold and leasehold.
✓ The questions worth asking before making an offer.
Next Chapter
You’ve Found the One… What Happens Next?
Making an offer is an exciting milestone, but it’s only the beginning of the buying process.
In the next section, we’ll explain how offers work, what happens after an offer is accepted, and how your home-buying journey starts to gather pace.
