Page 22 - April 2023
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EXPERT ADVICE


               How to choose the right location for

                              your new home                                                                                                Family life
                                                                                                                                           If you have a family or are
                                                                                                                                           planning to in the future,
               Caitlin Keegan, Associate at Gillespie Macandrew, breaks down                                                               consider how family friendly the
                                                                                                                                           location is.  School catchment
                   what’s involved in choosing where to buy a property.
                                                                                                                                           and performance data is readily
                                                                                                                                           available  but  consider  how
                                                                                                                                           you might travel in and out of
              hen looking for a new home it   So where do you start when searching for                                                     the area and to any schools or
              really is all about location, location,   your next home?                                                                    nurseries,  whether  there  are
       Wlocation!                                                                                                                          good parks and green spaces
                                                                                                                                           and also the availability of other
                                            Lifestyle
       Finding your new home can seem like a   Your lifestyle is a key consideration when                                                  children’s activities.
       daunting task and there is a lot to consider   selecting the location of your new home.
       when taking this step, particularly if you are   Consider what is important to you in terms of
       a  first-time  buyer  or  if  you  have  not  moved   your daily life and hobbies.  Would you prefer
       home in a long time. Choosing to narrow   the bustle of a central location so that you can
       down your search area can help you to focus   enjoy an impromptu dinner with friends or is
       on what is important to you and help you to   living by the sea more your style?  Are green   Transport options           areas, while Leith offers a fantastic, lively
       shape your wish list.                spaces top of your list so you can enjoy walks,   Consider which transport links are available   waterfront  with  some  of  Edinburgh’s  top
                                            running or cycling?                             in your chosen area and what alternatives   restaurants.
                                                                                            are available should this be necessary.  If you
                                                                                            are moving out of Edinburgh, think about   Time is of the essence
                                                                                            your commute and any obligations around   It is a good idea to arrange a discussion with a
                                                                                            collecting children that might need to be   mortgage broker to understand what you can
                                                                                            factored in.                         afford to pay for a property before beginning
                                                                                                                                 your search.  This can also inform your search
                                                                                            Local amenities                      area and your local agent can advise on the
                                                                                            Key  local amenities  to look  out  for  in your   latest sale prices in each area.  We would also
                                                                                            search will be linked to your lifestyle, hobbies   encourage you to instruct a solicitor to deal
                                                                                            and  of course  your family  and job  but  we   with the compliance requirements, allowing
                                                                                            would recommend including supermarkets,   your solicitor to move quickly when you find
                                                                                            a doctor and dental surgery and some green   the right property.
                                                                                            space on your list as a starting point.
                                                                                                                                 There  is  a lot  to consider  when  looking  for
                                                                                            Edinburgh has an excellent mix of history,   your next home but taking some time to jot
                                                                                            architecture, shopping and green spaces and   down a few ideas on what you are looking for
                                                                                            importantly has a number of areas offering   (must haves) and what you might be willing to
                                                                                            village style living, while remaining close to   compromise on (nice to haves) can really help
                                                                                            the city centre.  Stockbridge and Morningside   to focus the search and find a home that is
                                                                                            have great amenities and are well-established   right for you.


                                                                                            If you have any questions about the process of buying a home in Scotland, get in touch with Gillespie Macandrew on
                                                                                            0131 447 4747, gillespiemacandrew.co.uk or pop into one of our local offices for help finding your next move.
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