When looking to take that first step onto the property ladder or move to a new area, the location of your property is a very important factor.
As Kirsty Allsopp & Phil Spencer famously say: “Location, Location, Location”. There are many things you can change about a property – extending, landscaping, re-decorating. But one thing you cannot do is pick it up and move it.
Moving house is a costly exercise and not one that you want to have to repeat too soon if you find that you made the wrong choice about your house purchase.
Our experienced Property Law Team at Lamb Brooks help hundreds of people move to a new house each month by taking care of all the legal aspects. In this article they have listed some helpful tips when looking for a new home in order to get the location right.
Factors to Consider When Moving to a New Area
You are likely to have a strong view of the type of property that you are looking to buy (number of bedrooms, size, period etc.) but also give some consideration to the area that you would like to live in. This will depend entirely on your personal presences, lifestyle, current circumstances, and future goals.
#1 Cost
Property prices fluctuate across the country and locally. There are often housing estates, communities or villages that have a more desirable postcode and therefore a higher price tag. Think about what your budget is as this will determine what areas you can afford to look at.
#2 Employment
If you are re-locating to a different area of the country then it is a good idea to research the employment rates, pay scales and job opportunities available. Particularly if you have a very niche specialist area that you work in. If you are planning to commute to work, then check how long it will take you to do the journey. Travelling to work twice a day, 5 days a week can impact on your life and it is important that the area you live in has the right train links or suitable routes to get to work.
#3 Your Future Plans
When buying a property, it is worth thinking about your long-term plans. If you are planning to grow your family then you are likely to be looking at houses with spare bedrooms, but you might also want to think about how safe the local area is, proximity to parks and the quality of local schools in the catchment area.
#4 Your Lifestyle
The hobbies, activity and pace of life you enjoy living will factor into your choice of the best suited area to buy a house in. Do you enjoy country living or being in the hustle and bustle of a busy city? Do you enjoy bike rides and outside spaces? Is eating out or shopping a priority for you? Think about these things and explore the local area of any houses you are viewing.
#5 Consider Your Neighbours
This can be difficult to grasp until you have moved into your home, but if you can try to gauge what the neighbours are like. Ask questions of the property owner, walk around the local area, look on the local Facebook groups and look at whether the houses, gardens and cars around your potential new home are well kept.
#6 Crime
It is worth looking on websites such as checkmystreet.com for local crime stats, you can also look in local papers and social media for an idea of the crime rates and criminal activity in the area you are looking to buy in.
#7 Noise
If you prefer peace and quiet, have young children, work shifts or work from home then you may wish to locate yourself somewhere quiet. Visiting the property at different times of day can help you gauge what the noise levels are like. Railway lines, busy roads, pubs or industrial units near the property should be factored for.
Do Your Research
It is always advised to visit the property you are thinking of buying more than once and at different times of day. Even without a viewing booked with an estate agent you can drive around the area at different times of day to get a feel for the noise levels, traffic, and parking.
Gather feedback on areas that you are not familiar with from local Facebook pages and local newspapers.
If you are planning a big move, such as moving miles away from your hometown, then consider renting for a short period first to get hands on experience of the area.
Instructing Solicitors
When you have made up your mind and looking to have your offer accepted on a property give Lamb Brooks a call. Wherever your new property may be located we will be able to help as long as it is within England and Wales.
Call our dedicated Property Law Team on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our online chat assistant.
We can offer a competitive estimate for our legal fees along with a high-quality expert service that is appreciated by numerous clients who have provided us with glowing reviews.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.