Buying a new house in London is not an easy task. First, you have to consider the fact that the property prices in London are extremely high and so you’ll need to have a lot of money to cover the initial costs and the deposit. Then, you’ll need to bear in mind that there are so many areas in London that you can live in so where do you start?
In this guide, we are going to offer some tips for prospective home owners who are thinking about buying a property in London. Keep reading to hear some of our tips.
Check the Areas
Before you start to view properties in London, you should make sure to check out which areas are the best to live in. It can be tempting to find a home very close to the centre of London or some of the hotspots like Soho but how expensive is that going to be? There are so many districts in London, each with their own quirks and price points. If you are looking for affordable locations, we would suggest that you check out Croydon, Barking and Sutton for some properties.
Consider A Smaller Property
Another issue that you will come across in London is that the price of properties is so high that most people can only afford a small space. Unless you have a lot of money to spend, it will be tricky for you to afford a large home in a central location. So, why not consider a smaller property? It might be worth trying to find a storage unit in London to keep your things if you are downsizing but this is easy enough.
Don’t Forget Additional Costs
While the cost of the mortgage per month might be your main concern, it shouldn’t be the only thing that you will need to think about. The cost of council tax in London can be tricky to afford and as you move through the boroughs, the price will increase. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get out of paying for council tax and so you’ll need to do some research on this. On top of that, you’ll need to be able to afford the bills and WIFI costs in your new London home. Don’t forget that the general cost of living in London is more expensive than in other areas in the UK.
Find Local Estate Agents
Finally, if you want to find the best possible property in London, you should make sure to have a look for some local estate agents. These are the people who are going to know the areas very well and they can help you to find some hidden gems. If you tell them the area that you want to buy a property in and let them know your budget, they might just find the perfect property. On top of that, you’ll need a solicitor for the conveyancing element, but this doesn’t need to be a company local to London.
Get Hunting
Now that you have heard our tips for moving to London and buying your first property in the city, you can get started with the property hunt. Once you do find that dream property, you will be excited to move into it and start your new life. Just remember to budget for all of the expenses and don’t forget to check for the best areas to live in. We hope that you find the perfect property for you and your family.