Lifestyle: 13 Things You Should Know Before Buying a House
In the market for a new house? Browse this advice from the Houzz community on things you should think about before taking the plunge
Buying a house can seem daunting. Not only do you have to get your finances in order and find a property that ticks all your boxes and feels like ‘the one’, you also need to think about possible hidden costs and whether it’s the neighbourhood for you.
So we asked our Houzz community: What’s the one piece of advice you wish you’d known before buying a house? Check out some of the many useful responses below.
So we asked our Houzz community: What’s the one piece of advice you wish you’d known before buying a house? Check out some of the many useful responses below.
Consider the property’s orientation
‘Look at the light and observe which way the key rooms face. This is one thing you can never change and I think it’s so important! A south-facing kitchen and garden are such a joy. Consider other buildings/trees around, and what shade they will cast on your house and the garden. Look at it on both gloomy and sunny days. Also check how the garden is accessed from the house – level access from the kitchen is the best option in my opinion.’ katypercy
‘Look at the light and observe which way the key rooms face. This is one thing you can never change and I think it’s so important! A south-facing kitchen and garden are such a joy. Consider other buildings/trees around, and what shade they will cast on your house and the garden. Look at it on both gloomy and sunny days. Also check how the garden is accessed from the house – level access from the kitchen is the best option in my opinion.’ katypercy
Take your time planning any work
‘Don’t touch ANYTHING! Move in and find out what doesn’t work and what changes you’d need to make for it to work for you. Always get a full structural survey – it’s not only a big help in negotiating price, it also ensures no nasty surprises. When you decide on restructuring, find an architect who can work out the best plan for you and your budget. They will also be in a position to recommend tradesmen.’ Vicky Allerton
‘Don’t touch ANYTHING! Move in and find out what doesn’t work and what changes you’d need to make for it to work for you. Always get a full structural survey – it’s not only a big help in negotiating price, it also ensures no nasty surprises. When you decide on restructuring, find an architect who can work out the best plan for you and your budget. They will also be in a position to recommend tradesmen.’ Vicky Allerton
Factor in hidden costs
‘Be aware of the costs of buying and selling – not just the price of the house, which is always accounted for, but also legal fees, removals, stamp duty, etc. And if you plan to live somewhere for a few years before buying another house, remember that your legal fees will be higher the second time around, and you will most likely also have exorbitant estate agent fees to pay. Using a mortgage broker is handy the first time around if you’re not sure how things work, but you can save a few hundred quid by doing it yourself.’ beverleypj
‘Be aware of the costs of buying and selling – not just the price of the house, which is always accounted for, but also legal fees, removals, stamp duty, etc. And if you plan to live somewhere for a few years before buying another house, remember that your legal fees will be higher the second time around, and you will most likely also have exorbitant estate agent fees to pay. Using a mortgage broker is handy the first time around if you’re not sure how things work, but you can save a few hundred quid by doing it yourself.’ beverleypj
Be sure the shower has power
‘If you’re not going to be changing the bathroom immediately, check the shower pressure – there’s nothing worse than a dribbly shower in the morning!’ inspirationless
Get expert advice on where to spend and where to save on your bathroom renovation
‘If you’re not going to be changing the bathroom immediately, check the shower pressure – there’s nothing worse than a dribbly shower in the morning!’ inspirationless
Get expert advice on where to spend and where to save on your bathroom renovation
Remember, most things can be changed – except location
‘Almost everything internally can be changed, so don’t be put off by, for example, a small kitchen. Look to see if this could be moved to another room – my kitchen has been moved twice. Definitely look at aspect, as this can never be changed. A north-facing garden would never be acceptable for me.’ maggieandrichard
‘Almost everything internally can be changed, so don’t be put off by, for example, a small kitchen. Look to see if this could be moved to another room – my kitchen has been moved twice. Definitely look at aspect, as this can never be changed. A north-facing garden would never be acceptable for me.’ maggieandrichard
Keep a file of paperwork
‘From the moment you move in, start thinking about the day you will sell (even if it’s going to be 20 years in the future). Pull together all the paperwork in one safe place that will be required for future conveyancing, such as your searches, copies of deeds, survey report, registry title and so on. Include a draft note from yourself to the future solicitor, outlining any quirks in the deeds, any issues you faced when you purchased (boundary questions, covenants, access agreements, etc.). Don’t think you are going to remember in 20 years why the Land Registry map doesn’t match your actual rear boundary.
Keep adding to this file as you make any renovations or changes: put in the FENSA certificates if you change windows; put in the boiler guarantee; add the electrical works certificates if you have your kitchen rewired. It will save you so much time and hassle when you sell, because any future buyer and future buyer’s solicitor are going to be red flagging any discrepancy and will want to see all the documentation, guarantees, planning permissions, certificates, etc. (Been there, done that, had to scrabble for 10-year-old paperwork…)’ second2try
‘From the moment you move in, start thinking about the day you will sell (even if it’s going to be 20 years in the future). Pull together all the paperwork in one safe place that will be required for future conveyancing, such as your searches, copies of deeds, survey report, registry title and so on. Include a draft note from yourself to the future solicitor, outlining any quirks in the deeds, any issues you faced when you purchased (boundary questions, covenants, access agreements, etc.). Don’t think you are going to remember in 20 years why the Land Registry map doesn’t match your actual rear boundary.
Keep adding to this file as you make any renovations or changes: put in the FENSA certificates if you change windows; put in the boiler guarantee; add the electrical works certificates if you have your kitchen rewired. It will save you so much time and hassle when you sell, because any future buyer and future buyer’s solicitor are going to be red flagging any discrepancy and will want to see all the documentation, guarantees, planning permissions, certificates, etc. (Been there, done that, had to scrabble for 10-year-old paperwork…)’ second2try
Be aware of areas not explored in the survey
‘Ask your surveyor (the one for the new property) to list in writing any bits of the property he/she is unable to reach for any reason. Our whole roof was in a mess, but was covered by the “could not access” clause!’ gilldt
‘Ask your surveyor (the one for the new property) to list in writing any bits of the property he/she is unable to reach for any reason. Our whole roof was in a mess, but was covered by the “could not access” clause!’ gilldt
Ask yourself…
‘1. Do you feel a connection with the property that causes you to really want to be there?
2. Are you willing to compromise other aspects of your life in order to be able to afford the property and the projects that come with it?
3. Expect the unexpected.’ brian_impey
‘1. Do you feel a connection with the property that causes you to really want to be there?
2. Are you willing to compromise other aspects of your life in order to be able to afford the property and the projects that come with it?
3. Expect the unexpected.’ brian_impey
Check out the house at different times
‘Visit the property at different times of the day. There may be masses of parking when you attend a viewing at 10am, but it could be a completely different story in the evening and at weekends.’ embzop
‘Visit the property at different times of the day. There may be masses of parking when you attend a viewing at 10am, but it could be a completely different story in the evening and at weekends.’ embzop
Talk to the neighbours
‘Don’t just visit the property/area at various times of the day and night – also research the neighbourhood and, if possible, try talking to residents and neighbours. Neighbours can offer much information about property issues, noise issues and crime that may be glossed over by agents and sellers.’ biigem
‘Don’t just visit the property/area at various times of the day and night – also research the neighbourhood and, if possible, try talking to residents and neighbours. Neighbours can offer much information about property issues, noise issues and crime that may be glossed over by agents and sellers.’ biigem
Be ruthless with your possessions
‘Only take to your new house things that you will definitely unpack from the boxes. I recently moved with my family to a new house and created for myself twice the workload by having to dispose, via recycling or donation, of lots of items I’d gone to the trouble of packing, only to regret bothering!’ Nadine Kidd
Maximise the storage in your home with one of these simple ideas
TELL US…
Do you have any additional advice for home buyers? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
‘Only take to your new house things that you will definitely unpack from the boxes. I recently moved with my family to a new house and created for myself twice the workload by having to dispose, via recycling or donation, of lots of items I’d gone to the trouble of packing, only to regret bothering!’ Nadine Kidd
Maximise the storage in your home with one of these simple ideas
TELL US…
Do you have any additional advice for home buyers? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
‘Don’t settle, and think with both your head and your heart: it needs to tick off your boxes, but you need to love it, too. We had an offer accepted on a property that was a very sensible purchase, but I never loved it and actually thought the rooms were small and the front view was rubbish, so when the vendors pulled out, I was so relieved! This taught me a real lesson – I nearly bought a house I didn’t even like just because it was ‘right’ on paper. We are now in the process of buying a stunner that is my dream home and I absolutely adore! Facts and figures only go so far – you need the tingle factor, too!’ purplelore15