There are so many ways to search for a new home in this day and age. According to estate agents in Oakwood, looking for potential properties in this area has become a whole lot easier. For one, you can look at potential new properties online! Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the process of house hunting became virtual, which opened various avenues for both sellers and buyers. While the process of house hunting ultimately remains the same, there are quite a few ways for potential buyers to look for properties, and likewise, there are so many ways for potential sellers to list their homes on the market. If you are thinking about buying a property in the UK, here are the seven best ways for you to search for a new home in the UK in 2022.
1. Look at properties online
Nowadays, most sellers are listing their properties online. You can search for all types of properties online, from detached homes to apartments, from villas to townhouses, and so much more. The great thing about looking at properties online is that you can filter your search based on the number of rooms, the number of bathrooms, the neighbourhood, the area and most importantly, you can filter the search to fit into your budget. Looking at properties online not only makes the whole process of house hunting a whole lot easier, but it also makes the process much quicker.
2. Try a trusted website
There are so many real estate and property websites out there, all of which have multiple properties for you to choose from. Rightmove is the biggest property portal in the UK, and it has at least 800,000 properties available at any given point. Zoopla is another popular property portal in the UK which offers some interesting features such as time travel search and smart maps. Smart New Homes is another property portal that lists new builds and new developments from all over the UK for potential buyers to view. Waterside Properties is a website that has specifically been created for potential buyers who are looking to buy a place near the water. Similarly, there are so many property websites out there, all of which have an endless array of options.
3. Use an app
Now, you can look at potential new properties from the comfort of your living room all thanks to your phone. All you need to do is download a property app such as OnTheMarket, Hoffr or PlaceBuzz and you can have a look at all the available properties in a specific area. The great thing about property apps is that you can save the properties that you have liked and you can even share the link with your friends and family, just in case you’re looking for a second opinion. Thanks to property apps, shopping for a new home has become almost like online shopping, with one small difference being the hefty investment amount!
4. Attend open houses
Open houses are a new concept in the UK, but they are becoming quite popular among buyers and sellers alike. For one, a potential buyer can attend an open house without the added pressure of buying, which makes the whole process of house viewing so much easier. Also, an open house walk through allows a potential buyer to get a good feel of the house, without it seeming staged. One reason open houses are becoming so popular is that a potential buyer can make a direct offer to the seller, thus cutting out the middle man. And of course, open houses are becoming a common part of the selling strategy, so as time goes by, open houses will become more and more common in the UK.
5. Hire an estate agent
Hiring an estate agent is the old school way of viewing and buying properties, but it is still one of the best ways to choose your new home! Once you have chosen an estate agent, you need to be specific about your needs, wants and requirements. Let the estate agent know your preferred living area, your budget, the type of home you are looking for, the number of bedrooms you need and so on. Based on your requirements, your estate agent will show you multiple options, and you will probably end up falling in love with quite a few homes! An estate agent will help you find your perfect new house, make the right offer, negotiate a good deal and ensure that the deal goes through, thus reducing your workload tremendously.
6. Consider going to a property auction
A property auction is a good way to buy your new home quickly and at an affordable price. While property auctions might not be for everyone, there are quite a few buyers and investors who have had success with buying a property at an auction. Before you bid for a property at an auction, be sure to view the property to make sure that everything is in order. It is always a good idea to hire a property surveyor or get the property evaluated so you know how much the property is worth. Also, people tend to get carried away while bidding in an auction; have a budget in mind and be ready to walk away if the bid crosses your predefined budget.
7. Drive through your favourite neighbourhoods
Sometimes, just driving around your favourite neighbourhood might help you find your dream home. Usually, sellers put up a whole lot of ‘For Sale’ signs in and around their property. If you happen to be driving around your favourite neighbourhood and you see a for sale sign in a house that you like, you can always just walk up to the door and try to get in touch with the owner. If you’re lucky, you might be one of the first few buyers and you might just be able to close a deal quickly. If you know which area you want to live in and you know what type of home you want to move into, this process might actually help you buy your new home in no time.
