Buying your first family home is a huge milestone, exciting and daunting in equal measure. The property should be functional now and support your family’s growth, whatever this may be, and balancing current priorities and future needs is challenging. Then there are the practicalities to consider, including cost and the step-by-step legal process which can take weeks to complete.
So, how to help ensure the process is smooth sailing instead of stressful, and ensure you find a home you truly love that ticks all the boxes?
Setting Your Budget
Before you start browsing available properties, do a detailed analysis of your finances to get a realistic picture of what you can afford. Consider your essential outgoings against your income and calculate how much you could spend on mortgage repayments, as well as working out what you could put down as a deposit. You should also bear in mind additional related costs like stamp duty, solicitor fees and moving expenses.
Remember that it’s important to be able to keep saving for your financial security and to have money spare to fund family plans and avoid putting all your earnings towards your new home. Speaking to a mortgage broker or financial advisor might be helpful if you’re unsure what you could afford.
Thinking Long-Term
Choosing a home that functions well for you now is vital, but you don’t want to outgrow your family home too quickly. Focus on how well properties will suit your needs years down the line, thinking about details like the configuration of rooms and outdoor space as well as basic factors like the number of bedrooms.
If you want to ‘try before you buy’, explore the option of next generation homes to rent and get a feel for a certain size and style of property before committing. It could also be a useful stepping stone in you growing into your future home.
Choosing Your Location
Especially if you have young children or are planning to in the near future, your location is of utmost importance when deciding where to live. Being within easy reach of your workplace and your local nursery or primary school will make mornings and evenings so much easier to manage, giving you more time together at home. Look at the quality of local transport links, including public transport as well as the roads.
You should also consider where the best schools in the area are. Houses in these neighbourhoods can be more expensive, but living within catchment areas often gives you a better chance of getting into these schools where your children can expect a top education.
Considering Community
A home is part of a wider community, and being based in a place where you feel in tune with your neighbours can significantly enhance your quality of life. Take the time to walk around the areas where you view houses, assessing whether it has a family-friendly feel and attractions for children on the doorstep.
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing a family home. Start by looking at crime statistics in the area to gauge the overall safety of the neighbourhood in relation to other parts of the country. If possible, speak to friends who live locally for advice. You can also consider factors like street lighting, traffic levels and the general upkeep of the neighbourhood.
photo credits: header, money in pots, train station, playground
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