Page 24 - ESPC_May24

PROPERTY ADVICE

forever home Wand thrive on starting afresh need, to longed-for luxuries like en suites,
Finding your

hile many homeowners love
dressing areas or utility rooms, as well as if
the thrill of buying and selling,
you want potential space for conversions,
extensions or even outbuildings. Do you
somewhere new every few years, some of
want a driveway, or a garage? Is a garden
us prefer the idea of putting down roots.
a must-have, to see you through from
The idea of a ‘forever home’ is a romantic the baby years and family barbecues to a
one, but it’s not unachievable – and you retirement hobby?
If you’re looking for a long-term home, what should certainly don’t need to find it when you’re
you be searching for? looking for your first property! Many The next step is thinking about what
homeowners don’t find their long-term compromises you can make. Rank
property for years after their first purchase; everything in order of importance, so you
this is very sensible, as it means you’ll likely can figure out what you can do without in
have more equity to put down, plus you’ll the short term. If you’re planning to be in a
know yourself and your lifestyle well enough property for decades, there’s plenty of time
to be able to find a home that meets your to make adjustments as you go, after all.
needs while weathering changes. Perhaps you might not have a utility room
or a downstairs WC from the get-go, but
But how do you go about finding this elusive with enough garden space, you might have
property, that ticks all the boxes now while an option to build an extension in the future
meeting hypothetical future needs at the to house them.
same time?
Once you’ve worked out your absolute
Blue sky thinking must-haves, alongside your nice-to-haves
The first step is to think about what your and your can-live-withouts, it’s easier to
future looks like, as this will inform what move onto the next step.
your ideal home will need to have. Are
you planning a family, or hoping to run a Money, money, money
business from home? If you already have Working out your budget is key, even if it
children, they might be happy to share while can bring you down to earth with a bit of a
they’re small, but will they need their own bump. If you already own a property, book a
bedrooms in time? When looking to buy free valuation with an ESPC solicitor estate
a forever home, you need to think about agent to get an up-to-date gauge of its
situations that haven’t happened yet – even market value, and speak to an independent
if that means trying to predict how your mortgage advisor to find out exactly how
toddlers will interact as teenagers! much money you might have to fund your
forever home.
Think about what your ideal home ‘should’
have, and don’t worry about being a little Moving to a larger home might be a financial
unrealistic at this stage. You should consider stretch, so it’s hugely important to figure out
everything from the minimum number of a budget that means you can still afford a
bedrooms and bathrooms you think you’ll comfortable lifestyle.

24 | espc.com espc.com | 25