7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home in Bristol

For most people, a home is the most expensive thing they will purchase. Buying a home is a massive milestone in life, but the process of acquiring a home can be stressful. It does not have to be that way, and there are some questions you can ask yourself to ensure you find the right property, one you can be proud of for years or decades to come.

Where is the Property Located?

Property location is crucial for several reasons. Perhaps the most important is the cost of the property. House prices vary across Bristol depending on where the property is located. You can end up saving thousands of pounds by simply considering a different area.

Additionally, you need to think of considerations like commuting. Cheaper housing options are typically located far from city centres. Unless you work from home, the daily commute is something you need to think about in regard to the attraction of a property’s location.

Also, those who would like to change their jobs in the future should think about living close to motorways. This ensures they do not have to move if they change jobs and have to commute there too.

Is There Interest in the Property?

Interest in a property indicates several things. First, properties which are viewed by many people are desirable. You should take time to explore them further. Second, the number of people visiting the property will show you how much time you have to think about buying the property.

If only a few people are viewing it per day or week, you have enough time to take another look or bring a friend to help you assess the house better. If there are a lot of people viewing it, you might have to move faster. If you like taking your time, you may want to consider a different house.

Is There a Property Chain?

A property chain describes a situation where you need to wait for the person occupying the house you like to leave before buying it. In some cases, a house has a chain of several people waiting to buy it. Because the process for each person has to be completed, the person has to move in and then leave, and it might take years to buy the house you want if there is a long chain.

Ideally, you should opt for houses that do not come with such a chain. At most, a property should only have one person, the current occupant, in front of you. Finding such a property means your process will move faster and you have leverage as a buyer. This is especially the case if you don't need to sell the property you currently occupy to move.

This is because you will not be holding up the process for anyone else wishing to buy the property. Because you have shown enough interest while willing to remain patient, you have a lot of leverage you can use during negotiations.

How Much Work Will Be Required Before and After Moving in?

How much you have to put in after the sale and before moving in plays a significant role in how much the property costs. If you need to do a lot of work to make the property habitable and to come to your standards, you might be able to negotiate a better price for the house. Some real estate agents even say that the cost of such a house plus the cost of fixing it might be lower than the going market price for such a property.

If you are willing to put in some work and save some money, you need professionals to do the work for you. You can get in touch with an experienced architect firm to talk about your project and to have them come down to assess how much work is required. The right architects in Bristol will complete a full home refurbishment, expansion, and modernisation at an affordable cost.

What is Included in the Sale?

If you are buying a used home instead of building a new one, you might find some items that the previous homeowner has left behind. These typically include washroom and kitchen appliances, or even larger developments like garden sheds.

If they are in good enough condition, their cost is included in the price of the house, and you do not have to buy these appliances yourself. However, if they are outdated or not in proper working condition, you have to factor in the effort and cost of disposing of them.

If you are buying a new home, there might be a few extras that the developer could add for you. You can ask them to do this so that you have everything you need once you move in.

How Much Will It Cost to Run and Maintain the Property?

How much it takes to ruin a house is something many people forget to ask, especially when buying residential as opposed to rental property. The cost of running the home can be significant, especially if it has not been modernised. Things like old appliances or doors and windows that do not help keep it cool or warm can lead to increases in energy bills.

You also need to find out how much the council tax is for the house and how much you can expect to pay in utilities. You can either ask the seller or do your research. Ideally, you should combine both sources of information so that you know exactly what to expect when you move in.

When Can I Move In?

Although this is not a question you can ask yourself, it is still important. Knowing when you can expect to move in is especially important if you need to sell the property you are currently occupying. Knowing when you can move in will also help organise your life around the move so you can move in with as little disruption to your life and routines as possible.

Buying a property is a huge milestone, but you need to find one that ticks all your boxes, or at least most of them. Asking yourself the crucial questions outlined above should help get you there.