After all this time sat at home trawling through search engines during lockdown how can you speed up your house hunt and hit the ground running when lockdown measures start to ease? Getting out and actually viewing places – be it towns, villages, schools, shopping areas and of course houses has all been somewhat out of reach these last few months. Virtual house visits and virtual school tours have been a fantastic stop gap but soon the chance to actually see and get a real ‘feel’ for options will start to open up. So how can you get yourself ahead of the crowd now? Follow Chiltern Relocation seven top tips and you will be in a strong position to find your future home.
- Draw up a list of your 10 ‘must haves’
This will include, for example, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms, if you want a garage, how big a garden would you like etc. Will you be working from home? Do you need a study or maybe two? Would a garden room be an option for a home office? Does the kitchen need to be at the back of the house or have doors to the garden? Work out your ‘must have’ list now.
- Draw up a list of your ‘would like to have’
This may include elements such as a south facing garden, an extra en-suite, a garden room, space for a treadmill, a carriage driveway, a dressing room. By being clear at the outset you will understand what is essential for your move and where compromises can be made.
- Research your chosen area
If you need to be within a certain school catchment check the map carefully. In terms of location which roads are the sought-after and which ones should you avoid? Check proximity to major road links and the possibility of airplane noise? Where are the local shops and pubs? What local social amenities are on offer? Chiltern Relocation offers Free Area Guides online with detailed information about a wide range of towns and villages in Bucks, Berks, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire.
- What about commuting?
Often families approach us keen to live the rural dream but the reality of commuting times – and thereby time away from home and the family – is important to factor into the considerations. Are you happy to drive (or cycle) to a station every morning and back in the evening or would you prefer to be able to walk? How long is your commute at the other end? These are all questions that need addressing before you can consider which areas to choose. Refer to our commuter train times guide for detailed information on optimal travel times and do your research now.
- Keep an open mind
Clients sometimes come to us with a very specific wish list thereby dramatically reducing their options and possibly missing out on potential gems. Be sure to include a broad search criteria when considering your options. ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’ as the saying goes – so by keeping an open mind to possibilities you will open up more potential options.
- Make friends with the estate agents
In these days of online searching it is easy to conduct all your research via property search engines. However, if you get to know the local agents they will have you at the forefront of their minds when out valuing potential properties.
- Connect up with local Facebook groups and other key sites
All towns and villages now have a community page which offer a wealth of information about the town and access to many locals who are happy to answer any questions you may have about moving to that area. Make a list and ask questions about life there – thoughts on nurseries and schools, local amenities and social opportunities. Other sites worth visiting are mumsnet.com and netmums.com and Life After London where you can get advice from people who have been in a similar position.
If you are still struggling to find your ideal home then we can help. With over 16 years’ experience in sourcing property and unrivalled local knowledge, Chiltern Relocation can take on the stress of the search and guide you through the all the steps to finding exactly what you are looking for.
For more information call 01494 672086 or email: enquiries@chilternrelocation.com or visit our website:
