Property Clinic – April 19
Andrew Bailey, Sales Director at Belvoir Andover covers this month’s property topic
Q. My partner and I are looking to buy our first house probably in the next 6-9 months once we’ve saved the remainder of our deposit. Other than money what else should we prepare for? What research should we do?
The time spent saving for a deposit is a really good time to start getting a feel for the local housing market, the types of property that you can afford and the areas that you might want to live in. By keeping an eye on the various online selling platforms (Rightmove, Zoopla, PrimeLocation, OnTheMarket), you will really begin to understand Andover properties.
Location
You’ve heard it before – location is very important when choosing your home. Think about what type of area you would ideally like to be in. Do you want to be in Andover itself or in one of the surrounding villages. If you need access to schools, give some consideration to catchment areas, if you want to be able to walk into the town centre or have easy access to the Station, then this may narrow your search area.
Condition
Some people love a ‘fix it up’ project and others want to move straight in with nothing to do. It’s wise to think about how much work you might want to do a property. However, it’s also good to be prepared to change your mind in case the perfect property pops up and requires more or less work than you planned. In Andover we have a good mix of modern developments such as Picket Twenty as well as older properties, as seen in areas like Old Winton Road. There’s something for everyone!
Space
Consider how many bedrooms you ideally need. If this doesn’t fit your budget, then you may think about looking for a property that you could, in time, extend. If you work at home this will need factoring in as will any hobbies that you might have which will need extra space. Outside space is also a consideration as some people want a large garden while others simply want a small area to be able to sit out in.
By doing some research before you start to really look to buy, you will have a much better understanding of the local area, what you can afford and what sort of style home you might prefer. Be open-minded however as you might be surprised when you start looking inside properties and your views may change entirely. It’s an exciting time, so good luck!
If you have any property queries, call into Belvoir’s offices in Bridge Street and one of our friendly team will be able to help you further, or you can call us on 01264 366611
If you have a particular question for our monthly Belvoir Property Clinic, please send to info@belvoirandover.com