Buying property in London is a minefield. You have to take into account transport links, house prices, accommodation sizes, and more, whilst purchasing in an increasingly competitive market. Take too long to think about it, and the property of your dreams will be gone. Make a snap decision, and you could live to regret it. There are so many factors to consider, and such a lot of time pressure, that it’s enough to stress anyone out, especially first time buyers.
This is why choosing the right estate agent is essential. A good estate agent will be an invaluable source of information. Possessing an in-depth local knowledge, they should be able to answer any questions that you have immediately, in detail, and without hesitation. On that note, here are three questions that you should certainly ask them:
#1: Is There Any Room for Manoeuvre on Price?
If you’ve spotted the property of your dreams, but it seems to be beyond your budget, don’t despair. House prices in the capital are high, but this doesn’t mean that there’s no room for manoeuvre. Although the market is competitive, there will still be properties that are overpriced, and if these have been available for long enough, or the seller is simply looking for a quick sale, the owner might be willing to negotiate. A good estate agent will have all of these facts to hand, meaning that they should be able to provide you with an immediate answer to stop you wasting your time on hopeless dreams.
London-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2014 by CAPTAIN ROGER FENTO, on Flickr. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.
#2: What are the Transport Links Like?
Once you’ve found a property that’s within your budget, it’s time to start asking some more important questions. For would-be London dwellers, one of the most vital is this: what are the transport links like? The capital is a city of commuters, and with so much distance between the centre and many residential areas, it’s important to work out how feasible a location is in terms of travelling to work and so on. An estate agent should be well placed to answer such a question, thanks to their wealth of local information.
#3: What is the Area Like?
Another important factor to consider is the overall tone of the area. London is a big city, and those who are buying their first property there might not be well versed in the particular nuances of each individual area. Some are far better suited to families, young professionals, and so on than others, and it’s important to find one that suits your niche. An estate agent should have an excess of knowledge on this subject, making them well placed to confirm whether an area will really be to your taste.
Start searching for your perfect London property today with these three top tips.
