When looking for a new home it can be hard to visualise what the space will look like when you move your furniture in. Honestly, the way other people style their homes can range from alluring with a spectacular wow factor to the depressing and quite frankly off-putting.

Being able to see past a houses current condition will give you the ability to really see what you can do with the place and how you can maximise its potential. Keeping an open mind can really be beneficial when house hunting to make sure you can not only find the house of your dreams but also style it in a way that makes it feel like your home.

What Should You Remember When it Comes to Buying a New House?

Potential.

As we mentioned, every single house has got potential. You need to be able to look past the decor and current style of the owners and picture the possibilities should you buy. 

Whether it is as simple as a full decoration, removing stud walls or more, having the vision to see what you can do with a bit of work will enable you to see the changes you can make before you move in.

If the house is in the perfect location but doesn’t meet your needs, then hiring the services of companies such as Hansen Living can help you design a high-end home that is perfect for your lifestyle.

Planning and Permits.

Whilst it is great that you are planning the ways you can put your own stamp on a possible new home, it is worth looking into whether or not you will be able to gain the correct planning permits to carry out any work. Certain areas and housing types have restrictions on the work allowed to be carried on them. this could rule out future extensions, extra buildings or even adding a pool on the property. 

So before you let your heart run away with planning your perfect home, take the necessary checks before buying to make sure your dream can become a reality.

Current Condition

A staged house can really attract potential buyers and show you the home in its best light. However, it may be masking potential problems. You want to make sure that when you are viewing a property, you have your wits about you and know exactly what you are looking for when it comes to issues with the house.

• Are there any signs of damp? Look for freshly painted areas, flaky walls or watermarks on the walls, skirting and ceilings. These are clues there is or has been a damp problem.
• Are there any signs of structural problems? Look around windows and exterior walls for hairline cracks as well larger cracks. Pay close attention to paintwork to see if cracks have been painted over in an effort to disguise them.
• Is the house big enough? Has the house been staged and set up with smaller furniture to make the rooms look bigger? Make sure all your existing furniture will fit into the rooms as they will make the house feel instantly smaller.
• What is the neighbourhood like? Take a walk around the local area at different times of the day and night to get a feel for the area. Is it noisy? Is the road outside busy and in constant use? Are you close to transport links and amenities?

Buying a house is a big commitment and you want to make sure you have enough information before you decide to sign on the dotted line.