Top tips for house hunting

Whether you’re a first time buyer or you are looking to upgrade to a bigger property, knowing what to look for when house hunting can be somewhat confusing.

Everybody has a unique list of ‘must haves’ for their dream home, but Coast would like to help you on your way with a few basic things to consider…

• On arrival, look at the outside of the building for cracks in the walls
• Keep your eyes and nose peeled for signs of damp when you enter the property
• Spend 15-30 minutes thoroughly looking around – don’t feel pushed to dash in and out by the estate agent or vendor
• Try to see past the current décor or furniture layout; these can easily be changed
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about details such as leases, parking spaces, ground rents etc
• When you’re satisfied with the property’s interior, take a trip around the local area to gauge facilities, traffic congestion and other lifestyle factors
• Even if you really like the house or flat, visit it 2-3 times at different points in the day as the light can really change the appearance of a property
• Should you spot any potential problems, these might not necessarily be a deal breaker – it could be a tool for negotiating down the price
• Always get a professional survey carried out as it might unveil serious issues that are not visible on first inspection

Ultimately we know that buying a property is a decision lead by the heart, but you also need to use your head to avoid ending up in financial dire straits. Even if you decide to go ahead and purchase the house, potential threats still lurk, so it’s a sensible idea to take out a home insurance policy.

Coast is now offering home insurance cover for your building and contents. To find out how much you could save by switching to our home insurance service, call Freephone 0800 0234 843 or get an online home insurance quotation.