When house hunting, you can’t just put a call through to the seller to make an offer. It doesn’t work that way especially if you intend to get the best value for your money. The size of the bathroom, living room and bedroom might be really important to you but there are other crucial things you need to pay attention to before you buy the house.
Location is key When House Hunting
A house is not something you’ll be able to move to a different location after you buy it; with the exception of a mobile home. The location of the property is key when house hunting. It has to be one that works for you.
Is the house close to your place of work/business? Is it a quiet or noisy location? Does the location have ease of access? Is it safe? These are questions you need to ask when house hunting. You also need to be sure that the location gives you access to social amenities, public transportation and shopping malls/markets.
The location of the house is not something you can change. You might be able to change things like furniture, colour and interior design but you will never be able to change the location of your house. It is fixed.
The Neighbourhood
It is possible to find a house you really like in a neighbourhood that makes your skin crawl. This is absolutely true. When house hunting, both the house and the neighbourhood have to meet your expectations.
Here’s a question for you – Would you rather own the smallest house in a neighbourhood you love or the biggest house in a neighbourhood you don’t really dig?
Take out some time to check out the neighbourhood. Do you find children playing in the estate? Are there sidewalks? Are there speed-breakers to curb the speeding vehicles? Is it safe enough to take a walk or ride a bicycle in the neighbourhood?
Check Out the Windows and Lighting
A house without good ventilation is not good enough for you. Ensure the building not only has sufficient windows but has the right kind of windows. This depends largely on your preferences. Do you favour a bright room over one that offers you more privacy?
Your home should not be dark and gloomy. If you need to create such moods, you can always adjust your lighting for a way out. Where are the wall sockets located and are there enough of them to accommodate your needs?
You will also need to decide on the kind of windows you want – DO you prefer the traditional double hung windows to the modern sliding windows have two or three sashes and slide left or right?
Look Out For the Kitchen
Are you one of those people who consider the kitchen the heartbeat of the house? If you want a big kitchen, then make sure this is exactly what the house provides.
If you are not satisfied with what the kitchen looks like then you can easily remodel it but be warned because it is an expensive thing to do.
If you have a family, then you know your kitchen should be able to accommodate more than 2 people.
The Size of the House
Buying a house with a lot of space sounds like a really cool idea but does it make financial sense to buy a house with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms?
This is where you need to get very practical. A bigger house will need more furniture to fill and this translates into a larger budget. It will also cost you more to decorate a large home.
Go House Hunting With a Trusted Real Estate Agent
The average owner of a property who is willing to sell will take advantage of any opportunity to make you pay more than you ideally should for a house. Let us put this into perspective. If a house is worth N140 million, a seller wouldn’t mind selling the house to you for N200 million especially if you appear naive and uninformed.
When you have a property agent working with you, what you get is a professional who is on the lookout for a house you will like. He/she will also be out to protect your interest.
The wealth of experience a realtor brings to the table is unquantifiable. Nothing beats having a professional who helps you find a house you like, negotiate for the best deal and guides you through the inspecting the house and closing the deal.
Don’t Rush Your Decisions
There is no wisdom in rushing your decisions when you are ready to buy your first house. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you are consistently in a rush.
You’ll be better off if you take your time to buy a house that meets all your 805 of the things on your checklist. The seller’s goal is to sell the house in the shortest possible time while your objective is to maximise the value you’ll be getting from the house you eventually settle for.
Final Thoughts
The fact that you have budgeted N30 million for your first house does not mean that you should hand the money over to the owner of the first house that comes close to what you want. Feel free explore other options in different neighbourhoods that appeal to you.
Don’t forget to get yourself a trusted real estate agent to protect your interest when dealing with homeowners who are interested in selling to you.
