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Buying a Home – Top Five Things No One Tells You

Posted on: Monday, June 13, 2022

Buying a new home is an exciting time, and though there are many resources out there to help you prepare for it, there are some things that people just don’t tell you. To help you out, here are five things you should know when searching for your dream home:

Spend some time in the area

When choosing a new home, you’ll want to spend some time getting to know the local area to ensure it’s right for you. Good schools, nearby shops and transport links are common on a buyer’s checklist, but you should also take into account how the area changes during the day - how busy are the roads in the morning? Is the nightlife disruptive on the weekend?

It’s also a good idea to check the planning registry for any building projects that may be taking place nearby – a new development could block a nice view from your window, and persistent building noise could ruin the peace and quiet you’re after.

Get a head start on your mortgage

You don’t have to wait till you’ve made an offer to start securing a mortgage. Getting a pre-approved mortgage will give you a clear idea of your budget, and help to speed up the process once you’ve found your dream home.

Not only that, but it can come in handy when submitting an offer. A pre-approved mortgage shows a seller you’re serious about buying their home and can give you the edge against potential buyers without one.

Plan for the new look

Choosing how to decorate your new home is an exciting decision, and it’s never too early to start planning how this will be done. If new carpets or a fresh coat of paint are on the agenda, look in DIY stores for swatches and samples in advance – bringing these with you to viewings is a great way to see how rooms would look in the colours and styles that you prefer.   

If your plans require contractors, it’s a good idea to start looking at quotes before you agree a sale. Ensuring desired work is both possible and within your budget is essential to giving you peace of mind once you’re all moved in, and brings you one step closer to making your new house into a home.

Budget for solicitors’ fees

Once you have had your offer accepted you will need to employ a conveyancing solicitor to deal with the paperwork and legal aspects of the transaction.

It’s important to ask for a full fee breakdown, as prices and services can vary between practices. All processes should be accounted for, including bank money transfer fees, stamp duty forms, and other legal paperwork. These fees should be included as part of your overall budget, and are just as essential as the cost of your new home.

Manage your expectations

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you don’t secure the home you’ve been trying for. You may find you’ve been outbid, or a seller may opt for a cash buyer if they’re looking to avoid a chain. These bumps in the road can be frustrating, but they are by no means an indication that your dream home is out of reach. Perseverance is key, and by keeping an open mind and continuing with your search, you will get there eventually. Keep in contact with local agents to make sure you’re seeing every property suited to your needs, and don’t hesitate to chase up any communications along the way.

 

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If you're searching for your ideal home, get in touch with your local Guild Member today. 

What Our
Clients Say

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I would highly recommend Hardings. Their knowledge of the local area is outstanding, and they give honest and reliable advice. They have always been my partner of choice when buying and selling.

Rhiannon Prothero

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Have used Hardings for many year on both personal and commercial property deals. Have always found them to be transparent, honest, authentic, and a pleasure to work with. Will continue to use in the future.

TB

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I would highly recommend Hardings Estate Agents. They have excellent knowledge of Windsor and the surrounding areas, and are extremely professional, responsive and courteous. I would not hesitate to using them again the future. I recently dealt with Milica who was instrumental in securing us our new home in Windsor as well as the sale of our existing property. She was a fab negotiator and a real pleasure to work with from beginning to end. Thank you!

Jonathon Beresford

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Hardings of Windsor managed our purchase with complete professionalism and went over and above in my opinion to manage the transaction and chain, resulting in a really smooth purchase. Milica at Hardings constantly provided timely updates and managed respective solicitors and the chain effectively, always responding quickly to queries. The whole transaction would not have happened without Milicas' focus on making all parties comfortable and satisfying all queries, not only professional but a delightful and welcoming personal approach that was a constant throughout. Thanks Hardings! Thanks Milica!

Stuart Blatch

"

I would recommend using Hardings estate agents when buying or selling your property. Dominic (Scully) was always available, helpful and genuinely interested in my purchase and always calm and compassionate. If I ever move again my first choice will be Hardings.

Cath Powell

"

Dom and the team at Hardings were so helpful and efficient when I purchased my flat - friendly and professional service and kept us up-to-date the whole way through the process. It was my first time buying and so was very nervous but they helped me feel at ease.

Freppell

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We bought and sold through Hardings and can't recommend their professional service enough. The whole Team are really lovely, we were kept informed throughout the process and never had to chase anything.

Natalie Quint

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I used Hardings when I bought my property as well as when I sold it and the service has been fantastic both times. I very much recommend Hardings!

Therese Jouini

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We recently purchased our new home with Hardings Estate Agents. The whole team there were very helpful and flexible with us, arranging viewings quickly on the same day. They were always quick to respond and if ever our point of contact was not there, the service did not change as they work well together as a team. We received a personalised service, which allowed the sale to proceed quickly. Thank you all and we recommend Hardings Estate Agents without hesitation.

Mike B

"

What a pleasure it was to deal with Milica from Hardings. She sourced the perfect property for me and my family (while we were still abroad) and worked endlessly to put the deal together. I would give more than 5 stars if at all possible!

C D

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Fantastic customer service and made what could have been stressful a total breeze. Dominic and Louisa were brilliant in helping me and my parents buy and sell our houses - reliable, helpful and thoughtful. Thank you!

Eloise Harris

"

Thank you, Dominic and Louisa - having not moved for over 30 years you helped me all the way, step by step. You were always polite, communicative, reassuring and very supportive. Would recommend Hardings wholeheartedly.

Anna Bowen
How Much is Your Property Worth?

How Much is Your Property Worth?

A senior member of our sales team will visit your property to discuss current market trends and how your home; based on size, condition and location should be pitched to achieve the best possible price and buyer. Coupled with an excellent understanding of the local market we do a detailed analysis of what else has sold and what is coming onto the market so we can give you the best chance to capitalise on your biggest asset.

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