House hunting is a lengthy process, and one that takes a lot of consideration. You don’t want to rush in to what will likely be one of the biggest commitments you make. Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for your dream house.
Draw up a budget and stick to it
Budgeting is one of the most important parts of buying a house. Not only does budgeting initially help you save for a house deposit, it also helps determine how much you can borrow from the bank. Your budget needs to be a true representation of your ability to pay for a house to ensure your bank allows the money to be borrowed for a mortgage, and ensure that you are able to continue to pay the mortgage back. There’s no point in budgeting for a $5 million property if you’re not going to be able to pay for it.
Pick the right suburb
Knowing where to live is more important than the other aspects of your house itself because if you don’t like where you live, it’s not much of a dream home. Picking the right suburb to live in can be difficult if you don’t know what the suburb is like. Look for a suburb that includes everything you like about a home such as schools, grocery stores and access to public transport.
Be patient
Finding the perfect house takes time. Avoid rushing into purchasing something that you’ll regret in the long run because you simply couldn’t wait any longer. If you don’t want to waste your time attending open houses that are completely irrelevant to what you want, speak to local real estate agents who will be able to send you information on just the properties that match your preferences.
Consider a renovation
No house is perfect, and it’s up to you to turn that house into your dream home. For that reason, consider putting money aside for a renovation. If you find a house in a suburb that ticks all the boxes except for a few, you’ll be able to make it your dream home with some renovations. Keep in mind that renovation work might also take a long time so don’t expect your dream home to be completed within a month.
No home is perfect
After months of searching, you may come to the realisation that your dream home doesn’t exist. Instead of purchasing an existing home, consider purchasing a block of land and building your dream home from scratch. This way you’ll be able to dictate each element of the design and build project, subject to local council regulations. Before you rush into building the house of your dreams though, consider the costs involved and the time it will take to complete.
Once you’ve found your dream home it’s time to move in! Contact the expert removalists at Grace to get you moved and settled in to your new home.
