When you are looking for a place to call your own, it can be the most exciting stage of your lives. Whether you have already owned a home or you’re a first time buyer, moving into a new place is exciting and gets you ready for that next chapter in your life.
The main question you might ask yourself when you first start looking at a new property is the type of property you want to buy. You might want to look for a 2 room flat for sale, but similarly you may want to hunt for a house. If you are unsure on which type of property you currently try want, there are a few different things that you will need to seriously consider.
Location
Before you even start to consider the type of property you might want to live in, you will need to think about where it is you are looking to move. Location is the biggest factor to consider when you move home because it will need to be close enough to work and if you have kids, close enough to a good school for them. When it comes to the choice between a house and flat, location can play a role in the type of property you are most likely to find. For example if you want to move into the middle of the city, you will find that flats are more readily available for you and you can likely find a great flat right in the centre of the city. However if you want to live in a more rural location, you are much more likely to find houses. And you will be able to enjoy the outdoor space you are afforded by making this choice.
The future
If you want to start thinking about how your life is going to be in the future, the type of property that you buy is going to affect what you are able to do. For example if you want to get ahead in your career and have the privacy of being alone, then a flat in the city centre is the best choice for you. Even if you are a young couple who aren’t fussed about having pets or a family. However, if you and your partner are buying a home to make your own, the thought of getting pets and having children may be something you want in the near future. Because of this a house will be a better option for you to take because it is larger and the pets and kids will have outdoor space to play in.
Property potential
Another thing you will want to think about is the potential for you and your family to make changes to the property that you live in in the future. You will want to think about what scope you have for making changes as well as think about how well you will do when you come to sell the property further down the line. It is important when you are buying a home that you see a potential for financial benefit further down the line. If you know that you can make changes which will add value to the home, then you will be safe in buying the property because you know you won’t lose out in the future.
Also remember that if you buy a flat you will not be able to extend the space as you would if you owned a house, so if you are planning to have a larger space to live in you might want to go down the house route instead.
As far as investment goes with the type of property you buy, you will find that young people are always on the lookout for a flat so if you want a quick sale down the line, you are likely to get one if you own a flat. A house can be a little trickier because every family has a different idea on what they want in their home.
Hosting holidays
Something which you may have not considered before starting the hunt for your next property is whether or not you want to be able to host parties. If you are looking for a place where can host Christmas with your whole family, then a flat may not have enough space to accommodate for all of the people as well as the food you will prepare. A home will provide you with the perfect opportunity to host or the entire family. However if you are looking for a place you can host small dinner parties with friends and drinks, then a flat is ideal because you will have a cosy atmosphere to work with and you don’t need that extra space. Your lifestyle plays a key role in the property you want to choose so make sure that you really think about things.
Outdoor space
Many people love the thought of having a garden because it is a place you can relax and sunbathe in the summer, as well as play with the kids and your pets if you have any. You could host barbecues for the family and just generally enjoy the summer sun while it is her. However, not everyone is too bothered about having a garden, and in fact it can be a turn off for some people due to keeping plants alive and maintaining the space. Decide which of these two people you are before you start looking for a house.
Most apartment buildings will have a communal outdoor space if you want somewhere you can sit outside, so even if you don’t want your own garden you will still be able to have an outdoor space to visit during the summer. Think about your needs and whether being cooped up inside all of the time is what you really want. Some people just like the option of sitting alone in their garden to read or think, so if you do, a house may be the better choice.
