Questions to ask before buying a home

If you’re just beginning your house hunting journey, there are a few important questions you should be thinking about from the very start. Here, our senior sales manager, Tracey, shares the ones she believes all buyers should be asking.

What does your dream home look like?

Is it a new build? Is it semi-detached or detached? What kind of windows does it have? How many rooms does it have? Does it have a garden? How is it decorated? Is it modern? Does it have character? 

“Taking the time to visualise what kind of house you want to live in will ensure you’re making the best possible choice for you,” says Tracey.

“When buyers come to me with a good idea of what they’re looking for, I know straight away which house type to match them to. Some customers come with a mood board, some come with the details stored in their phones, but if they’re not sure, I talk them through these exact questions and it soon becomes crystal clear.

“It’s a big, exciting investment and if you’re going to be living in the property for a long time, you need to be sure the house itself ticks the right boxes.”

Where do you want to live?

What does your street look like? What is the local area like? Is it near the countryside or closer to the city? Are transport links important? Do you need a school nearby? What kind of lifestyle do you want?

“You also need to give thought to the location. The area you live in makes a big difference to your quality of life. At Countryside, we pride ourselves on creating places people love and that goes far beyond the house. It’s the whole development, the wider community and everything in between.”

Who are you living with?

Who is living in your home? What are you using it for? Are you working from home? Do you need plenty of space for your family to come together? Are you entertaining? Are you a cooking enthusiast or a fitness fanatic? Could your circumstances change? 

“The people you live with are of course also key. Finding a home that offers a degree of versatility is a good idea - you only have to think about the changes that we’ve seen in the past few years to see how quickly our lives can change, so I always advise buyers to give themselves some flexibility.

“We should be asking all of these questions if we want a home that will work and grow with us.”