Researching your own requirements and how they fit the market before you start house-hunting can save you time and heart-ache further down the line.

Create a property wish list:

Creating a check list of your minimum requirements will help when you speak to estate agents as well as helping you to focus when you “fall in love” with a property! Think about the following:

• Number and sizes of bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms
• How much work to the property do you want/can you reasonably take on?
• Does it matter if the property is a terrace or semi-detached?
• What style/period of property do you want?
• Do you need a garden, and how important is the size of this?
• What size/requirements will you have in the future – e.g. are you planning a family or will children be leaving home?

Location, location, location

Next, narrow your search to two or three locations and then compare the price of similar properties in those areas. This will help you understand which areas you may pay a premium for versus ones that offer better value for money. 

Get to know the area:

• Visit the area/roads you like at different times of the day.
• Pop into the local pub/restaurant to get a good feel for the area
• Find out about the local schools, services and transport – searching online for reviews and news stories is a good way of finding out more.

Once you have collected all the information you need, start your search for property on-line and in the local newspapers.

Find out more about buying:

How to buy a property >

Organise a home survey >

Legals explained when buying >