March 19, 2022
As the average price of a UK property hits £274,000, first-time buyers, those looking to get a bigger house and investors are searching further afield for their forever homes.
Homebuyers searching for extra space, value or profit are casting the net wider, exploring opportunities in unfamiliar towns, cities and even counties. You may need to move for a new job opportunity, to get closer to family or simply because you want a fresh start.
This article provides 10 checks that every potential buyer or investor should consider when they decide where to live. You can do everything on this list before booking a viewing, making every visit count.
Check out house prices
Online property sites enable you to understand the prices for certain types of property in any area. As well as current prices for sale, you can check out prices for previously sold properties, in some cases for over two decades.
The first crucial check is that you can afford a property in the new area. Our mortgage brokers can quickly give you an indication of how much you can borrow.
The Government produces lots of data on house prices, affordability and sustainability for all neighbourhoods in the UK, so you can see how your new area compares.
Visit the local area (if you can!)
It sounds obvious, but you should visit the local area if you can. Don’t just drive through once; see the place you hope to move to during the day, evening, and weekends.
Jump out of the car and walk around. How does it feel? What’s happening? Is it quiet or noisy?
If you’re not moving for a new job, check out local employment opportunities.
What’s the crime rate?
We all want to feel safe in our homes and neighbourhoods, so it’s essential to check the local crime rate to understand the crime rate. It’s easy to do, with all information publicly available on the Police website.
You can find details of the latest crime statistics, the performance of the local police force and what they’re doing to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
Check out the essential amenities
We’ve all read the stories about how living closer to a supermarket can add thousands to the value of your home. While we’re not sure how robust the data is, having amenities nearby is likely to impact house prices positively.
When moving to a new area, you’ll want to know that you can access supermarkets, fuel, and other essentials. But what else is there? Check out local parks, leisure facilities, event spaces and anything else that interests you and your family.
If you spend time on hobbies or interests, check that these are catered for locally. Whether you are passionate about cinema or crochet, a quick internet search will help identify local clubs and facilities.
Search for schools
If you’ve got a family or are planning one, you’ll want to know your new home’s catchment area. You can find everything you need to know about school catchment areas in our detailed blog. Homes near good schools are always in demand and command the highest property prices, so factor that into your long-term plans.
Check out planning applications
Before moving into a local area, you’ll want to know what (if any) local building works are planned. While this is part of the conveyancing process, you can do your own research. Check out the local authority website and access local news websites to learn of any upcoming or planned new developments or road closures.
New developments often mean road closures, congestion and disruption. If you’re working with an estate agent, they should be able to provide information on any planned works.
Is there parking?
Parking is a perennial issue for anyone with a car. When checking out the local area, explore whether there are any parking restrictions, such as parking permit schemes in operation. While off-street parking is preferable, it’s not an option for many buying homes in the city, so check out off-street parking availability.
If possible, visit the area at different times of the day and night to see whether you can secure a space. While it may be easy to park outside during the day, it’s often a different story in the evening.
Tackle local taxes
Council tax is on the rise and marks a significant amount of anyone’s monthly income, so understanding your band is an essential check anyone can do. The Government’s Council Tax band checker tool lets you see what band your potential new property is in. You can then check on the local authority’s website to see what you’ll pay.
In addition to council tax, check out any extras such as permit parking that you’ll need to pay.
Connect with the local community
Social media such as Facebook enable anyone to connect with new communities from anywhere. Almost every village, town or suburb will have a Facebook page where you can learn about what’s happening locally.
Joining online groups is a fun and free way to get inside information from those in the know. You’ll learn about what’s going on, including any current issues affecting the neighbourhood. You can also reach out to others to ask any questions you may have.
When you move in, you’ll already have a group of potential new friends and neighbours to welcome you.
Check out transport links
When buying a house, easy access to public transport such as a train station or bus stop is vital for many homebuyers. You can use Google Maps to check how long it will take to reach local train stations. Local bus providers will also have maps of all bus stops in a local area, so you can see what’s nearby, including all services that stop there.
City centres and towns across the UK are improving their cycling infrastructure, with thousands of miles of new cycle tracks appearing. In addition, you can check out the National Cycle Network to see what’s nearby for commuting and leisure.
Need help finding your new home?
If you want some expert support when finding your new property, get in touch. We can provide impartial guidance to help you find the property you want, working with you at all stages to help you secure the property you’ve been searching for.