Home Buying Tips Part 2

Best Bargains

Getting a good buy can be difficult, as you need to be well informed about market values, and also have some idea about how long the property has been on the market and the vendors motivations for selling. Its a fact that many good deals can be obtained when the vendor is going through one of the three Ds - death, debts or divorce.

In these situations you are much more likely to strike a motivated vendor who is keen to sell, perhaps at below true market value. Other opportunities include properties that have been poorly marketed, private sales, and properties where the vendor is already under contract for another property.

Lots of owners? Bad property?

Have a close look at the property's Title. Your lawyer will have a search copy of this. Has the property had more than four or five owners in the last ten years? Why would this be?

Perhaps the property only suits a certain lifestyle and people tend to grow out of it. Not much reason for concern but remember that this might just be the case for you too. Much worse...perhaps there is a specific problem which doesn't rear its ugly head until the depths of winter. Have a very close look and forward think about any property which has had a number of recent successive owners.

Another cliché... location, location, location

Remember that better locations lead to more demand from buyers. This in turn means that property prices are generally higher, but the properties are easier to sell when you need to, and there is generally a higher capital growth over time in these locations. High demand locations have good schools, transport, shopping and entertainment.

The "Big Six"

The more of these you can get when you buy the better... 
SUN, SHELTER, PRIVACY, VIEWS, FLAT LAND and PARKING.

Easy Improvements to Add Value after you move in:

  Redecorate...
  Make the place brighter, cleaner and more spacious.

  Update...
  Improve and update kitchen and bathrooms.

  Flow...
  Install some doors opening to the garden and improve
      the indoor/outdoor flow.

  Outdoors...
  Tidy and improve the outdoor living areas, make them
      comfortable and private.