Brookes Hall Residential Estate & Lettings Agent in Cheltenham

Hot Properties:

Garden Flat Cambray Place A large garden flat in Cheltenham Town Centre

Read more

The Promenade An executive two bedroom apartment located in Cheltenham Town Centre

Read more

Pittville Lawn A studio apartment located in Pittville Lawn

Read more

Buyer

Buying property can be an exciting but very daunting process. Let Brookes Hall help you with our key points check list.

• Realistic budget
  Work out how much you can realistically afford. You need to consider what your monthly mortgage payments will be along with utility bills, council tax and whether there will be any additional costs. You should think about talking to an independent financial advisor who will help you work out a true picture of your finances.
  
  Your budget needs to include all the additional costs involved in buying a home which include, mortgage fees, stamp duty, legal fees, surveyor’s fees and removal costs. Although these may be one-off payments, they still need to be considered in your financial planning.
  
  There is also the possibility that the property you’re interested in needs work doing to it, such as new bathroom or installation of gas central heating.  Make sure you consider this in your budgeting, to decide whether you can afford it.
• Itinery
  Itemise your buying priorities. This is especially important if there is two or more of you buying. This way when viewing a property you can keep a clear track of what you have decided is important and what you are prepared to be flexable on. The itinery will also act as an aid to prompt you on your key questions, keeping you focused and helping you to compare properties.
• Location
  Property prices can vary greatly depending on where they are. It’s worth considering how important location is to you and whether you’ll consider a smaller property just because of its location. Think about what your priorities are and what an area can offer you in terms of schools, amenities, transport etc. If an area is new to you, have a drive or walk around it at different times of the day to get a feel for it and a realistic idea of what it would be like to live there. If you really love the area, have a look at properties already for sale and make a note of the estate agent’s details.
• Don’t waste time
  Before you go and view a property make sure you’ve read the details to ensure it matches your requirements to avoid wasting time. Also consider how long you intend to live in the property and whether it could ‘grow’ with you. Look at loft space and any outside space and consider how that could best be utilised. If you like the property, go and view it again and at a different time of day. Walk around the immediate area at different times to get a feel of the neighbourhood. Try to imagine living in the property with your things around you and making it your home. Ask and check about other important details such as whether it is leasehold or freehold, when the boiler was last serviced, how old the heating system is etc. This is where your itinery list will prove invaluable.
• Use your estate agent
  Get the most out of your estate agent. It’s their job to find a property for you. You can help them do that by keeping in regular contact and being open and honest with them about what you want. It will help the agent understand what your priorities are and will avoid time-wasting trips around properties that are just not right for you.
• Don’t be afraid to act!
  If you see something you like, don’t delay, snap it up! Take advice from the estate agent and make a serious offer. If your offer’s accepted, ask the seller to stop showing the property and be ready with your identification, (current passport/driving licence, recent council tax bill, recent mortgage statement) solicitor and finance details so that the seller knows you are serious and you can get things moving quickly.

If you have a question, feel free to email your question below or phone us on
01242 257 675 and we would be happy to help.