If you’re thinking about upping sticks and moving property in the near future, then it’s important to know what to look out for. You want to find a house that you love and that suits your family’s requirements down to a tee. But the process might feel extremely daunting – especially if you haven’t moved house for several years.

To help guide you and ensure you’re on the path to success, here is a list of 6 things you should pay attention to when you’re looking for a new home.

6 Things to Look Out For When Moving House

1.  Location

This might sound like an obvious one, but it’s such an important factor when it comes to planning your house move. Spend some time researching various areas, looking at the amenities they have nearby and how close it is to your family/friends/work. 

You can then narrow down the search, arranging viewings of properties that are in your ideal location. Keep in mind that often you’ll have to make some compromises based on location. For example, if you’re looking for a home within a bustling neighborhood, you might have to compromise on the land that you’ll be able to attain as part of the sale.
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​2.  Room Size

Whether you’re looking to downsize or for more space, the sizes of the rooms in potential properties is something to keep an eye out for. Often, the size will reflect the price of the house – but that’s not always the case (i.e when you’re viewing properties in an expensive area). Therefore, it’s important to determine exactly how big you want the home to be, before comparing and contrasting different options in that area.

Once you’ve decided on a budget and the location of the property, this process will be a lot easier.

3.  The Windows

Windows are definitely a key feature that you should take note of when you go to view a property. And although there are replacement window experts out there that can come and fix any issues with them after you move in, it’s good to have peace of mind that you don’t have to do anything to them ahead of time. 

Windows can be incredibly expensive to replace – especially if they are sash windows on a grade listed property. So look at the quality of the windows and whether they are in need of repair. If they do require some TLC, you could even say to the seller that you’ll offer a lower price without the job being done, or very slightly higher than the asking price if they can get it done beforehand.
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4.  The Roof

Another crucial thing to look out for when viewing properties is the condition of the roof. Roofs are particularly expensive and difficult to replace, so make sure that the roof of the house you like isn’t in need of any repairs. To check this, you can go up into the loft and check if there are any leaks/holes in it.

From the exterior, take a look up at it and see whether there are any missing or cracked tiles on the home. If there are any clear issues, ask the owner whether they will consider having it fixed before you move into it. If it puts you off the house completely, then you can alternatively book in some viewings at other homes in the area.

5.  Damp Or Mold

Mold and damp aren’t only dangerous to your health, but are very aesthetically unpleasing. Issues that no homeowners want to face, it can be difficult to get rid of them (even though there are specialists available to come and do it for you). To spot this, take a look in the corner of every room, and see whether there is a musty smell when you walk into the property. 

Even though this won’t be every potential homeowner off, it is a significant downside for many looking for their dream home.
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6.  The Structure Of The Property

You want a solid and durable home – so make sure that you check the structure of the properties before you put in an offer. Now, although a thorough check will require a full structural survey to be done, some of the telltale signs you can take note of are large cracks in the walls or around the window frames. 

Now, hairline cracks might not be as significant. But larger cracks might be pointing out danger. You don’t want to face a large bill because cracks weren’t spotted. So check this ahead of time to prevent any disappointment after you’ve moved in.

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Final Thoughts

So, there you go! Those are just 6 things to look out for when moving house. Of course, everyone’s checklist will be unique. But it’s essential that you know the type of things to pay attention to before you go and view any properties. 

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