When it comes to buying, every one of us wants to find the perfect home. We sit and fantasise about it as we plan our budgets, working out how many bedrooms we’d like, imagining how we’ll decorate it, even mapping out which flowers we’ll have in the garden. We consider whether we want a tyre swing for the children, koi carp in the pond, an inner city location or views across rolling fields and wild moorland.
However, fantasising about the home and the life we want is the easy part; turning these dreams into reality is a little harder. There are a thousand and one different tips and tricks that you could try, but here are three of the best according to us…
#1: Location, Location, Location
One of the loveliest things about planning out our dream homes is that we also get the opportunity to think about the life we want. However, this lifestyle often comes more from your location than from your bricks and mortar property. Different locations will have different things to offer, and it’s important to focus on what exactly you want and need from your new life. Are you looking to escape from the countryside, or would you prefer a brief workday commute to your city centre offices? Do you want a busy nightlife, or views across the dales? If you’re planning on putting down roots, try to imagine yourself two, five, even ten years down the line, and consider whether your dream location will still seem as appealing with the passage of time. Make use of an apartment locator service to help you understand which area best suits your requirements. Maybe you need a school or college nearby, a hospital in the area is inevitable, and more importantly, the availability of the general grocery and transport system. It’s a good idea to sit down and make a list of everything that you want from the area you move to, and use this to narrow your search down to two or three prime locations.
#2: Look at Houses that are at the Wrong End of Your Budget
Another top tip is to try pushing the boundaries of what your money can buy. Although it’s important to have a budget and stick to it, don’t be afraid to look at properties that are 10,000-15,000 more than you have. Lots of sellers will be willing to negotiate, and you might find that your savings buy more than you bargained for if only you have the guts to ask.
#3: Don’t Be Afraid to Go Back to the Drawing Board
If your search proves fruitless, remember that there’s no harm in going back to the drawing board. It’s very easy to become so caught up in the search that you develop unrealistic ideas of how much house you’ll really be able to buy. Although it’s nice to dream big, if you can’t find any suitable properties, take the time to sit back and look at your plans with fresh eyes. Do you have to find everything that you are looking for? Would you be willing to take the time to do a complete renovation in a house that has potential? For example, if you find the perfect house, but the exterior is looking a bit rugged, waiting until you have moved in to utilize the professional help of a siding company like https://www.sidingcompanycharlotte.com/ may actually work in your favour than buying a house that has everything in place.
Think about it. Doing your own renovations can help you to feel part of the process, allowing you to really be able to call your house a home. But if there aren’t any areas that you can compromise on, and you don’t feel like renovating the house yourself, it may be worth your time to postpone the search until you’ve saved a little more money. There’s no harm in reassessing, recalculating, and re-planning, so don’t be afraid to throw up your hands and admit temporary defeat.
So, be sure to follow the tips outlined above if you want to do everything in your power to find the home of your dreams!