Most people start their search for properties, whether at home or abroad, on the internet. As a research resource for information on locations and the state of the market, it's hard to beat.
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*All property details and advice correct in 09/2006
Always remember these two important rules when searching for property on the internet:
Never buy a home on the internet without inspection - ever! Even if you are buying an empty plot of land, you really must view it and check out the surroundings properly first. You wouldn't consider buying a property on home turf without seeing it, would you? Buying a property overseas is no different.
Stay focused. Before you embark on an internet property search, you should have a fairly good idea of where you want to buy. It's better to learn a lot about a few of your favourite locations, than just a little about everywhere.
Above all else, make sure your kitchen is clean and tidy. The surfaces, appliances and sink must all be sparkling and the room should smell nice and fresh. It sounds ridiculous, but pungent foody odours (unless it's freshly ground coffee) can really put off any potential buyers.
If you have a very distinctive kitchen (quite old or just a bit garish) you could just change the worst aspect of it as a quick fix. Replacing the surface or splashbacks, or just putting new handles on the units could make all the difference.
If you can, check out the competition. If other houses in your street have spanking new kitchens, there's a good chance that buyers will expect the same from your home. The property section of your local newspaper should also give you some clues as to what homes in your area are going for and what is included in the price.
Get your mortgage offer (provisionally) sorted before you go out to buy, otherwise it will be like shopping without any money.
Don't try to think like an experienced property investor. Instead, choose a home and location you like and will enjoy living in. Wherever you buy, your property's value will eventually rise (with very few exceptions), so relax.
If you're concerned that the mortgage might prove too expensive, choose a home that you could rent out if times are hard. An emergency plan certainly helps to relieve the pressure.
Cash-strapped first time buyers will be pleased to discover that a range of affordable, yet well designed, starter homes has just gone on the market in the UK. David Wilson Homes has teamed up with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen to design the i-LiFE homes, aimed at people keen to get on the property ladder. Construction has begun in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, where i-LiFE mews houses sell for as little as £107,995, and more are planned across the country. To find out more, go to David Wilson Homes.
It's always tempting to buy a dilapidated property abroad. But, before you evict the family of goats from the living room and put in your offer, ask yourself whether there's a profit to be made from selling it on when it's done up. Even if your aim is to simply live in the house yourself, your plans could change in the future, so its selling potential has to be considered before you even think of buying.
One of the biggest problems many face is a lack of understanding of foreign property regulations. Do not buy until you know the local rules inside out, listen to no one except your lawyers, council workers and the town hall, and presume absolutely nothing. Only when you know exactly what you can do with the building should you consider buying.
Before you commit to buying off-plan - buying a property before it has been fully built - check out the price of existing properties in the vicinity. That way, you can tell if you're buying into a buoyant market, or wasting your money on a no-go area. And, don't despair if the off-plan property is a bit pricey - chances are it will go up in value during the construction period.
Study the plans carefully before you commit to anything. Be especially wary of buying property situated on the edge of a development or near to a road, as you could get a nasty surprise later on.
Do some homework about the developer. Do they have a good reputation? Try to check out some completed schemes, if possible, and talk to past buyers to see if they're pleased with their investment.
Get your own lawyer and your own broker (someone who will offer some impartial advice because they don't have a vested interest in you buying into that particular development).
Go to the site and stand in the spot where your property will be. You cannot rely on computer images to give you an idea of what your space and the surrounding area will be like when finished.
As the first part of your home to be seen by potential buyers, your hallway absolutely must look (and smell) clean, uncluttered and tidy. Remember - first impressions count. The entrance must also be gleaming and it's imperative that the doorbell is working.
In most homes, several rooms lead off the hallway. When showing visitors around, leave the door to each room shut so you're revealing each room one by one. This helps to build up a sense of drama and suspense!
Be sure not to crowd the space when you're showing it off. It only takes one person to show people around and, of course, you want the hallway to look, and feel, as big as possible.
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The views represented in this article are those of the author and not of Channel 4. The purpose of the article is to provide general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal or other advice.You should not rely on any information provided in this article and you should always seek out independent professional advice relevant to your own particular circumstances.
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