How To Buy In A Great Location

What To Look For
Never Buy If...

We all want to buy in the best location. But if you’re moving somewhere new, how can you tell if you’re buying the right property in the right part of town? Discover our top 10 buying tips – plus the pitfalls to watch out for.

What To Look For

What's The Area Like?
If you're worried about whether or not you'll feel at home with your new neighbours, fear not. Discovering everything, from your neighbours' incomes to what paper they read, is a cinch with a neighbourhood profile from www.upmystreet.com. Similar concerns about crime? This site will also provide the latest statistics.

High Street Hints

Plenty of coffee shops, delicatessens and estate agents suggest a thriving area. However, this probably means house prices to match, so think about whether you’re prepared to compromise on property or garden size to get these benefits.

Smartening Up

Many post-war town centres have become concrete wastelands, but planners are realising that braving the urban jungle is not what we want. Some quick enquiries at the local council may reveal if there are plans afoot to redevelop a town centre, which will make the area a more pleasant place to be.

Architectural Delights

Sought-after building styles - Victorian terraces or well-proportioned 1930s semis, for example - can push one area to the fore if surrounding neighbourhoods are less architecturally strong.

Mapping It Out

You're not the only refugee from gorgeous but unaffordable areas. Take solace in the 'ripple effect' - places on the boundaries of good areas often become desirable, so the best advice is to get out the map and look for likely candidates around your dream location.

Look To The Future

Thinking ahead is a must when buying, so don't just consider what you want from your house now - factor in what future buyers might want, too.

Even if you don't have kids, your future buyers might, so try to pick an area with good schools. And it doesn't matter if you're a gym-dodger - potential purchasers may want one locally. No car? No matter - inadequate parking in an area will discourage car owners, so remember to bear this in mind too.

Home Improvements

Look out for any new developments and skips outside private homes, as they're signs of new blood moving in. Large disused buildings are also prime candidates for refurbishing into flats for professionals.

What Are Local Schools Like?

Check performance tables at the Department for Education and Skills and Ofsted inspection reports to see how schools are performing - marked improvements are a good sign. Also, see if there are universities in the area, giving you the option of future rental income, either for the whole property or just a room.

Quiet Life Or Night Spot?

An area that is peaceful during the day can turn into a swinging hotspot by night, so it's always a good idea to visit at different times, both during the day and week. Gangs of unsupervised kids hanging around are not a good sign at any time of day.

Are Transport Links Decent?

New transport links signal investment, so investigate planned improvements on roads with the Highways Agency. To find out about existing travel links, contact National Rail Enquiries for trains, or Travel Line for buses.