Use an at
least ten rule. Don't consider buying until you have seen at least ten properties.
Many people dislike the home buying process so much that they buy the third
house that they see. This leaves you open to 'the poor buy'. Some unscrupulous
agents show people several poor value houses in an area, before showing
them an okay value house, giving them an inflated emotion to its true worth.
So stick to the principle that you will look at ten properties before you
consider a move.
Don't however
move too slowly. You should aim to efficiently gain an idea of the current
market price of houses which fit your criteria. When you look at various
houses imagine the property empty. When all that furniture goes the place
will look bigger.
It is important to disregard that one charming but peripheral
feature (tacked on fretwork, colourful bed of flowers). You are aiming to
buy a good all round property, so look at the total living environment.
Draw
a rough plan of the various houses that interest you. Note the direction
the building faces and its position on the block. On your plan draw lines
of flow. Does the kitchen have to be walked through to get to the lounge.
You want to get a pictorial idea of how well designed the building is.
When considering a particular
house remember that all promises and price discussions should not be done
during the first or even the fourth inspection. If it's not on paper, it's
not legally enforceable.
