The Ultimate Buyers Guide - Part I

Buying a house, flat or commercial premises is one of the largest investments most of us will ever make. It is very important, therefore, to get it right and to enter into the process with as much information as possible.

Before you even start to look for possible places to view, take time to answer the following questions, to give you a good idea of the kind of property you are after:

• What is my budget - how much can I afford to borrow, and what else must I make sure I have enough funds to cover?
• What kind of property do I want - new build or older? Do I want to build my own property, or renovate or extend somewhere cheaper?
• If I am interested in renovating, extending or purchasing an older property, can I afford the building work and do I have enough time to oversee the project?
• Where do I need the property to be - close to a town or deep in the countryside? What amenities need to be close by?
• How big do I need the property to be - who is going to live there, or use it?
• What transport options are open to me, and can I get to and from the property easily and within my budget for travel?

Once you have answered these questions, you will have a good start for a shortlist. Now, you can begin searching, both online and in 'real life'. Take advantage of Residenza's advanced online search facilities to find your perfect home in Balham or the surrounding areas. You can search by location, price or property type to narrow down the results. Or choose whether you want a garden, garage etc., and enter a minimum number of bedrooms. Take a careful look at the results, make a shortlist and arrange some viewings.