House Hunting? Try Before You Buy!
By Joshua Neil
House hunting can be pretty scary- especially in the capital- and when you’re looking to rent or own your first house in London the amount of things that need to be remembered, noted and acted on can be intimidating. When looking around for new houses, it is important to remember that many estate agents are just as eager to offload a property as you are to find one, and while many may seem charming and helpful, can often be leading you to a solution that you might not be happy with.
What Should I Do?
First of all you should have a look at our House Hunting tips and advice. The most important thing in house hunting in London is to view it, fully and in person- check every room to make sure that there are no hidden surprises, and look in detail for things that might be missed- remember that this is a property that you may well be living in for many years to come, if not for the rest of your life: for what you pay, you should get something absolutely perfect for you. Remember also to do a bit of research about the area.
To this end, it is essential never to put a deposit down before you have seen your potential home, and never to trust photos of the house before you have seen the property yourself- you can never know how old they are, or whether they fully represent the house you’re buying.
Remove some confusion by trying before you buy
Try Before You Buy
Luckily, some property sellers in London are catching on to this idea- some places, such as Larkfleet Homes, give house hunters and potential owners a chance to stay in their properties over the weekend, to get a taste of the house and prove the quality of what they are selling.
The Independent also published an article talking about renting-before-you-buy properties, in which subsequently buying after your rental period cuts the cost of the house by several thousand pounds.
However you choose to look for houses remember- make absolutely sure you are getting the perfect property for you.
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You may also want to check our Tip about Furnishing your House for Free.
