The big move: it's scary, exhaustive and can be overwhelming but most importantly it's a new chapter in your life that should also be exciting! We wanted to alleviate some of the pressure of moving home for you, so we created a list of our top 5 tips to help you out.
1.Find out which way the sun faces. A lot of people forget to find this out until the Summer comes and they're al fresco dining in the shade. Natural light is one of the most important things to buyers and for good reason! It can totally change the aesthetic of a home and how you feel within it. Pay attention to which way the house faces and how well it seems to catch the light at different times of the day, you can also ask your agent if you are unsure. A lot of buyers like to visit a home during different times and in different weather to really get a feel for the lighting, you want to get the whole picture. South-facing gardens are especially desirable, because of the amount of light they get. Equally if you don't like the sun, make sure your garden isn't in it all day!
2.Whilst your neighbours might change, it is important to do a bit of research. Why don't you join local Facebook groups to find out what's really going on in the local vicinity. Facebook area groups are a really good way to get unfiltered information about your new location. It will show you what characters you have within the Village or Town, what activities take place and how willing they are to help one another.
3.Visit the house at different times in the day. You might find that for example traffic, lighting and noise levels are all different at different times of the day. All of these factors could affect your opinion on the house. If this will be your home for a significant amount of time, you want to make sure you love it every second of every day!
4.Make sure there is enough storage space. Think about all of your furniture and belongings. Does this property look like it has enough room, or will it end up being cluttered and cramped? Practical things such as vacuum cleaners, and cleaning materials need to go somewhere so don't forget to check for cupboards. If storage is minimal, is there space for extra shelving? Can you get creative with space and find ways to store your belongings?
5.Think about whether or not the house packs development potential. Can you boost the investment potential of the property by making changes? See whether the property allows for extensions, loft conversions or whether you can knock that wall through to create a kitchen-diner. If you want to make changes to the property check whether it's listed or if there are any protections against it, as listed buildings are protected from any alterations which may affect its character. The house may already have planning permission, so this is also useful to find out. All these questions can be answered by your estate agent so if you are not sure, make sure to ask them!
For more top tips, come and meet the team at FSS, our door is always open, and we welcome anyone who needs advice! Our address is: 8 Raglan Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1LE, our phone number is: 01423 501211 and our email is info@fssproperty.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you soon!