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Things To Consider Before Buying A House

January 19th, 2011 Comments off

Before you sign on the dotted line it is of course essential to examine the house carefully and research the surrounding location. You would not want to spend your money on something that you would regret buying. Given today’s economic climate, it is absolutely essential to make an informed decision before committing to buying a house, this goes double for anyone bringing a family in tow. An unloved house is definitely something you want to avoid.

For many of your enquiries you can ask the previous owners who should be accommodating to any questions asked. You can ask what they enjoyed and didn’t enjoy about living in the house and surrounding area. Always ask why they are leaving in first place and take all answers with a pinch of salt.

Many people about to buy property will have a list of houses that fulfil the number of bedrooms they need and look nice from the outside. Beyond this there are some basic areas to look into that should inform any house buying decision.

Condition

One of the signs that a house is in good condition is cleanliness. It follows that a clean house is commonly a house that has been well taken care of over the years, however it is important to remember it is not the be all and end all. A sneaky way of checking cleanliness is by examining the state of the bathroom and checking the condition of the bowl, bathtub and shower and seeing whether they all run properly. Check the kitchen after you have checked the bathroom properly. Make sure you carry out a thorough inspection as many home owners will do a superficial clean that hides the true nature of the house. Return visits may reveal problems you did not notice before.

Damages

Checking a house for any damage before buying it is important. Try checking the roof if there are any leaks. Even if those leaks are small, they should be given proper attention as these small leaks or cracks would grow in time. One very important thing to check is the wiring. See if all switches and sockets are working properly. Try to check if there are any peeled electrical wires in the house. These can be very dangerous, especially to children. Obviously an electric shock is not to be laughed at and can be very dangerous.

Neighborhood

Before buying a house or property, ask the local government regarding their neighbourhood’s security. You can ask the local police department if the neighbourhood has reports of robbery, gang wars or any other related issues. It would be perfect to find a place that is both peaceful and near to useful shops, stores or local schools. Many people prefer to be as near to stores, schools and hospitals as they can and is certainly something you should consider; houses in the middle of nowhere can often be serene but troublesome when going anywhere else.

Space

Space is very important. When choosing a house for your family, make sure that there is enough space for all your things and some extra space for things that you will be buying in the future. It would be best if you have enough room for your family and an extra bedroom for at least two guests. Remember that if you have a lot of stuf to bring a man and van outfit will unlikely be the best option for removals!

Outside advice

Most of the time, unless you’re a real estate practitioner yourself, you would not know many things you need to know when you want to buy a house. The industry itself can get very complicated for someone who does not understand how it works. A property expert/ real estate agent will be the best best in finding out whether a property is a steal or just a dud. Find an agent or realtor who can guide you through your purchase. The advice and guidance of a professional in the industry is often costly, but if they help you avoid a disaster property, they will prove their worth.

So in conclusion don’t go phoning up removal companies just this second and take the time to consider the basics before committing to buying a house.

Moving House Checklist

January 19th, 2011 Comments off

Moving house is never an easy thing to do. However, creating a moving plan in advance can help to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible..

One month before the moving day

Give away your stuffs! Create a list of the items you would like to take with you to your new place and give everything else to your family and friends, or even charity.

Call around for quotes from removal companies in your areas. Families and friends will often be the best source of knowledge when it comes to trying to find the best removal company. Sometimes a man and van removal firm might be able to do the house movefor you at a cheap price. Sort out all needed paperwork with the removal firm.

Create a list of all the utility companies attached to your current house and then ring them one by one to inform them of your move.

One months notice will commonly have to be given to your landlord if you rent the property. Regardless of whether your notice period is actually less than a month, it is a nice gesture to inform your landlord as early as possible.

You will need to a well stocked packaging supply of wrapping paper, tape, boxes and any other appropriate packing material.

Two weeks before the relocation

Begin with items you don’t often use (which often are many!so you don’t have to worry too much about packing later.

Create a list of your most used items and where they are going to in your new home..

It is important to keep in constant dialogue with your chosen removal company to confirm moving dates, times, locations and so that you can notify them quickly if any alterations need to be made to your moving plan.

Advise your local authority about your move so they will stop sending council tax letters to you.

Call your post office service to redirect your mails. This service normally costs some money, depending on the duration you would like to use the mail redirection service..

One week before your house move

Start packing the rest of the items except for those you need to use until the moving day.

Create a list of family, friends and all parties that you need to inform about your move.

Do not leave your old accommodation before arranging the final electricity and meter readings and sorting out outstanding bills.

Cancel or redirect all deliveries such as the papers and milk.

You’ll want to keep a secure storage option at hand for valuable items such as passports, jewellery, driving license and certificates.

Obtain a new TV license or move the current TV license to your new home.

The day before your moving date

Finish all remaining packing work and prepare a survival kit containing necessary items like light bulbs, toilet paper, light torch, lighter etc.

You will want to establish early on whether you have basic utilities ready to go when you arrive in your new abode.

Defrost the fridge/freezer and disconnect all unused appliances.

Clean the place and leave a nice welcome card for the new owners so they will have a good start at place you used to love.

Sleep tight to ensure you are ready for the move!

On the moving day

Call your home removal firm to ensure they are not running late.

Switch off electricity, gas and water supplies carefully and disconnect all appliances.

Lock all the doors, windows and other entrances in the house before leaving.

Avoid leaving a single thing behind by having a quick look around once everything has been loaded onto the removal trucks.

Once you have moved in your new home

Put the removal boxes to the correct rooms/places they are supposed to be.

When you unpack you should start with the most important and frequently used items and work your way backwards.

Check and ensure electricity, gas, water, TV, Internet, telephone and other utilities are running.