Analysing Common Home Buyer Needs

First and foremost, one of the key factors that people look to when considering moving in or to Halifax in search of their dream home, is the location.

Often though it’s about more than just where, but also what is there and what you look to prioritise when deciding on what may be the perfect home.

To help you in your quest, we have put together a comprehensive list of the things many home buyers consider when looking to decide where to live.

1. Busy city or relaxing countryside?

It is important to figure out the type of setting you would like to live in, as this is somewhere you are going to live for at least a good few years, potentially even starting a family there.

If you’re the sort who likes thriving urban settings, the city life is definitely for you. If you prefer peace & quiet, being out of the way of others, you may be better suited for country life.

There are pros and cons to either of these options, so it is worth carefully thinking about before you get your heart set on a home in an area you perhaps won’t enjoy.

2. Transport Links

Transport links are a very important factor to many. Make sure whether it’s for hanging out with friends/family, your chosen profession, shopping and other general leisure activities, that your home has the appropriate transport.

Also make a note of how much these modes of transport are going to cost. If you are a driver, how long is it going to take you to travel to your different destinations? What will fuel costs be and do you have nearby stations to refill at.

3. Schools & Education

For those of you who are parents, definitely check what schools are in the area. Research what the local catchment areas are for the homes you looking at, so you can see what the schools are like. School league tables are a good source of information for this.

For those of you who may not have any children now, whether you have a plan to have kids or not, it’s best to at least have a look to future proof yourself.

4. Nearby Facilities – What You Need Vs What You Want

You may have a couple of different ideal nearby facilities in mind when planning for where to live. A helpful tip would be to make a note of which ones are necessary and which ones are just your preference.

For example, you may really want to have a gym nearby but also need a shop nearby for all your general needs. If you’re debating two areas and each only have one of those facilities, you’ll probably lean more towards the one with the shop.

5. Friends and Family

For a lot of those looking to find their new home, having friends and family nearby can be an important factor. This is generally preferred as they can live comfortably knowing they have a support network close to them.

On the other hand, some prefer a solitary life, prioritising peace and quiet over regular social activity.

6. Is the property good value for money?

Finding that property that you feel is worth the money you’ll be paying for it can be dependent on the area that you are looking to buy in.

You ideally want to make the most out of your property purchase, so it may be worth your while finding somewhere cheaper as a starting property, though this might mean compromising features and facilities you may have wanted initially.

7. What is the community like?

The local community can have an impact of your experience living in your home. You might prefer the quiet life, with a selection of residents who keep to themselves, or you may prefer a thriving busy community where everyone knows each other.

Speak to the estate agent and find out what it is like around that area. Community Facebook pages or locally run websites are common occurrences, so they’re worth looking up to get a general feel for what it may be like.

8. Career Changes

You may be moving home due to a new job or to kickstart a career. This is a huge factor we have heard from many customers in the past. It’s important to take a look at the distance between your new workplace and your new home.

If you’re going to be mostly working from home, is a longer commute for the few times you do go into the workplace something you’d be okay with, can you live further out? What about the space inside the property, will there be room for a home office?

For those who are looking at job hunting, do some research on the types of companies within the area and make a list of who all the top employers are.

9. Property Type

In terms of the types of property available, home buyers will find a good selection on the open market to choose from. Some prefer end-terrace properties that have a nice garden, some prefer modern apartments within the city limits.

Check out all the options available to you, undertake some viewings and get a good feel for the type of property you are after.

10. Local Developments

Any potential investment that has been proposed within the local area can be handy information to get ahold of, especially if you’re looking to live there for a while and settle down.

Online research will serve you well here when looking to find any future investments in the local area. It’s important to consider if these will be beneficial to you and your lifestyle.

For example, those who would prefer to have a quiet life in the countryside might find their ideal living situation being impacted by a potential nearby housing development being planned.

Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Halifax

By now you’ll hopefully have a good list of factors to look out for in the quest for finding your perfect home location. When the time comes for making offers and obtaining a mortgage, feel free to get in touch to book a free mortgage appointment.

Our dedicated mortgage advice team are here from morning until late evening, seven days a week, subject to availability. Whether you’re in need of help with a first time buyer mortgage in Halifax or are moving home in Halifax, we’d love to get the ball rolling on your mortgage process.

Date Last Edited: January 26, 2024