Buying a New Home? 3 Important Features to Look Out For

Everybody has priorities, and this is evident especially during home purchasing. While some buyers consider location as the most important, others focus more on amenities inside the home. What’s yours? Whatever your choice is, some features should remain constant, which is the purpose of this piece. With the advent of the pandemic in 2020, the UK recorded a 40% increase in homebuyers than ever before. Therefore, as your search begins, bear these things in mind.

• Location

For most buyers, this is the most fundamental feature of the lot. If you have to choose between a beautiful home in the wrong location and an ideal property in a good spot, the guiding rule is to take the latter. For buyers, a good location is that area with easy access to every place they like to frequent. This is to avoid that unusually long commute to work, school, or the closest highway. However, being farther away from the bustle of city life is a dream come true for other buyers and takes away the stress of property purchase.

Making these checks before a purchase will save you from what is now known as the ‘buyer’s guilt’, which is primarily being regretful for not considering other viable options before making a purchase. Unlike some purchased items which can be returned for not meeting expectations, a home is a different ball game altogether. Unless you are willing and have the financial muscle to buy another home in a more preferred location, never downplay the importance of siting. Examples of some preferred areas are:

• Cul-de-sac
• View of the coast
• Suburban

• Check the flooring 

Quality flooring is supposed to last long, be visually pleasing and practical to your needs as a buyer. From carpeting to vinyl planks, hardwood floors, and ceramic tiles, the deciding factor is usually to avoid wear and tear in high-traffic areas within the home. However, the preference for engineered wood flooring is becoming popular. This flooring type is made from several layers of different timber and compressed under immense pressure, providing you with a firm floorboard layout. 

So, the next time you go home searching, engineered wood from Flooring365.co.uk should be on your list. Nonetheless, your lifestyle, age, presence of young children or senior citizens, etc., should be factored into your priority list. It is worth noting that different parts of the house require other flooring types. For example, in places known to have more water usage, the flooring type must be anti-slip and resistant to mould formation.

On the other hand, exterior floors should be made of material resistant to all weather elements. If you are unsure of what flooring type you need in every part of the home, consult a professional to offer expert advice.

• Check the condition of pricey installations

Avoid being swayed only by the beauty of the home you want to purchase. You never know, sometimes costly repairs could be hiding in plain view. Checking the condition of the property you intend to buy will save you from expensive home repairs in the short or long term. Problematic areas usually include issues with the roof, HVAC system, plumbing, cracks, insulation, etc.

These mechanical installations are pretty steep in the cost department, and you need to exercise caution. Because these are very technical stuff, you will need a certified inspector to evaluate every installation’s proper functioning in the home.

Finally, the kitchen should be on your list of priority areas to look out for. Are the appliances built-in or free-standing? Is there recessed lighting or under-cabinet illumination? Most importantly, you should prioritise green or eco-friendly features that show your commitment to safeguarding the environment.