Many buyers are changing their minds about the kind of property they want to buy

As some people come to realise that the home they have (and once dreamed of) has now become a bit more of a nightmare for them, it’s understandable that they might want to make a move. To begin searching for a different living space and location and possibly setting the scene for a new lifestyle.    

For some, having experienced more time at home with direct family, it may be the appeal of having more outdoor space that will take precedence now or for others the need, or choice, to work at home more. Whatever the reason for searching for a new home, therefore, it’s important that not just the property itself is considered by buyers.

A move to the country?

Make sure you find out if there are any local facilities on offer. You may have been used to taking them for granted in the past but they can be more of a rarity in some country locations. Whether it’s a local shop, doctor’s surgery or the bus service you’ll need to know what is on offer. Consider the costs too. Insurances, council taxes and utilities may cost more in rural locations and you also need to factor in the cost of petrol and taxi fares travelling to and from your new home.

Working from home?

Think about where your office can be, whether in an existing ‘purpose built’ space or in a room or garden space you’ll need to adapt. Consider if the room offers enough space to work in and what office furniture might fit in, avoiding any glare on laptop or PC screens as a result of nearby windows. Think too about broadband speeds and connections and also how you’ll heat the office and whether it offers good ventilation. You could be working there for long periods of time so it’s important to create the right environment. 

Children to consider?

Ensure that you do your homework so that you understand which local schools are on offer, what their catchment areas are and how they are performing. You may want to arrange some visits when you have decided on the area you want to live.  For leisure time, it’s worth checking out what the local area may offer. A walk or drive around neighbouring streets and roads may help you discover parks, cycle routes and other local amenities, It might also be worth trying to get hold of any local community magazines or try to find any local noticeboards which can often publicise local groups, clubs and important information.

Single life? 

Thanks to social media and other online forums it’s often easy to find local groups to join or even organisations that you can volunteer to help. With more people also seeing the advantages of staying in, as opposed to finding entertainment outside the home, you may also want to focus more on finding a bigger kitchen or dining area to entertain friends and family.

Whatever your priorities as a buyer might be, searching for a property online (and gaining the advice and support of local property professionals), is a great way to start and the first step in finding your new home - and that new lifestyle you might have thought was never possible.

Why not start finding your new home here or contact one of our branches for support.