Defining Your Needs

This first step is one that is good to complete almost without reference to what is available; that will come later. Everybody's needs of course are specific to themselves, so you should draw up the list accordingly. However the following are a number of the commonly asked questions, which you can use to check off your own list, once completed:

Who is the property for; yourselves or a relative?
Does a modern housing development appeal?
What style of house; traditional or modern?
Do you want to live in the country, city, suburbs, town or village?
Where are the local schools?
What catchment areas do they serve?
Is public transport readily accessible?
Are there local shops?
Are there local banking facilities?
Is there a local post office?
Where are the nearest medical, dental or veterinary practices?
Is on street parking available?
Where are the local amenities (swimming pool, health club, sports complex etc.)?
How long you are likely to stay in this property?

And remember plan for tomorrow rather than just for today. Before you get too far along the path you will need to consider your financial position and how much you want, or are able, to borrow. Take into account such factors as available savings and the profit from the sale of an existing or previously owned property. Consideration must also be given to the views of financial advisors on current and future interest rates. Sitting down with your Solicitor right at the start can help sort out many of these questions and financial calculations and help work out just what sort of property price range to look at. The advice they give will be based on the member's expertise and knowledge of the housing market at any given moment in time.