New Year, New Home: Tips for finding your new home

We’ve put together our top tips for finding a new home in 2022.

Think about what you want vs what you need. There is a significant difference between wants and needs. Understanding the distinction can help you save a lot of heartache, money, and time. Needs are absolutely essential dealbreakers. Wants are things that would be nice to have, but aren’t a necessity. 

Make the most of viewings by taking photos and videos. If you’re not sure about a potential property, having a library of footage and images can help you make your mind up. Plus, if you’re set on the property, you can use them to plan your interior ideas.

Spend some time exploring the local area. Check out the local walking routes, parks and open green spaces, along with pubs, cafes and restaurants. You can even buy a local newspaper to get a better idea of the local community. If you can’t get there in person, make the most of Google Streetview.

Get your finances in order. Our first tip, before embarking on your house hunting journey, is to assess your finances and get a review from a professional. Secondly, think about the expenses that will be incurred in your chosen new area - what council tax band will you live in? What would your new commute be? 

Consider Shared Ownership. For first time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder, buying your own property can seem overwhelming, or even financially impossible. However, Shared Ownership allows buyers to purchase a share of a home, typically between 25% and 75%. Due to this, a mortgage is only required on the share purchased – meaning that the typical deposit for Shared Ownership is much lower than when buying on the open market. 

Are you looking for a stylish and modern home in London or the South East?

Southern Home Ownership is dedicated to providing stylish, high quality and contemporary new homes for sale on a Shared Ownership basis. 

If you're interested in owning a Shared Ownership property, then click on this link to take a look at our latest developments.