Now that’s a million-dollar question, but one that we can help you to answer!
Buying a house needs no introduction – it’s a significant financial commitment and the process can be a long and stressful one. However, buying a house can be very rewarding – not least of all because it’s about making a house a home, whether that is just for you or for you and your family.
So, how do you know if you’re ready to buy a house? In this blog we explore three key questions you might want to ask of yourself…
- Do you want to buy a house?
We recognise that the pressure to buy a house from friends, family and society in general can be overwhelming, but you should only buy a house if you actually want to! There are lots of benefits to renting (we’ve got a blog about that too: [link to Can renting be better than buying?]) so spend some time weighing up both options.
Whilst we are in the business of selling (and buying, and renting and letting) houses, we also act responsibly and we want you to make the best decision for you, based on your personal circumstances.
- Are you ready to settle down?
Buying a house is a long-term investment. You can’t return a house within 28 days and you don’t have 14 days to change your mind. Once you’re in, you’re in and, whilst you could look to turn your house in to a rental property, there’s every chance that selling your home soon after you’ve moved in won’t give you the kind of returns it has the potential to later down the line.
One of the most important factors in settling down is making sure you buy in the right area, again based on your personal circumstances. From transport links and local schools and amenities to crime rates and noise pollution, every buyer has a different set of criteria and this is something we can help you with since we have in an-depth knowledge of areas across the whole of the West Midlands.
- Can you afford to buy a house?
So, you know you want to buy a house and that you’re ready to settle down in a particular area, but the next biggest question is can you afford it?
The cost of the actual house is one thing, but the associated costs such as SDLT, survey costs and solicitors’ fees are quite another, and then there’s the cost of running and maintaining a house. Although buying a house can significantly reduce living costs, just bear in mind that if something goes wrong, it’s down to you to fix it!
We have been moving more people for over 25 years, so we have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the financial side of buying a house.
So, are you ready to buy a house?
If you still don’t know the answer, why don’t you have a chat with us about buying your first home or making your next move?
Are you ready to buy a house?Get in touch with one of our friendly team at your local branch today: https://johnshepherd.com/contact-us/