10 Tips for Buying a House: Definitive Guide

Buying a house is an important decision that you should think long and hard about until you are sure of what you want to do before taking the plunge. Think that, when buying a property in which to live alone or with your loved ones, you are going to spend a lot of time in this place. For this reason, the main priority is that the whole family likes the house and, of course, that all members of the family are happy and comfortable there.

At Hoffmann we want the purchase of a house to be something that the whole family can celebrate and that you find a place where you can thrive and develop the life project you have in mind to fulfil for years to come. With us you can discover unforgettable homes that will lead you to the home of your dreams where you can live incredible moments in the future.

For this reason, in this article we are going to give you some tips for buying a home that you can enjoy with your family through our Definitive Guide. Because, after all, we are expert advisors in the purchase of properties to help you make your dreams come true.

Tips for buying your ideal home

As we have mentioned before, buying a home is not an easy decision, because, although it can be very exciting and we can be blinded by emotions and impatience to start a new life in a different place, you should approach it very calmly. You need to analyse all the possibilities thoroughly to make sure that you are really buying the home you want for you and your loved ones.

The location

Among the tips to take into account when buying your first home, location can be one of the most relevant issues. We know that many people are city lovers and that, on the other hand, others love the countryside and the possibilities of breathing fresh air living in a mountainous area. In this sense, this advice for buying a house focuses, in addition to the area, on everything that revolves around it.

We are talking about road and public transport communications, whether or not it has services nearby, such as schools, health centres, hospitals, supermarkets, etc. However, it all depends on the kind of life you want to lead with your family, especially if you don't mind travelling by car on a daily basis to do all your business.

The characteristics of the house

Depending on what your needs are, the advice for buying your first home can vary greatly. For example, if you live alone or with your partner, it is not absolutely necessary for the property to have many rooms. However, if you have several children and your family often receives visitors, you can choose a home with a larger number of rooms.

In addition, the characteristics of the common rooms, such as the kitchen, the living-dining room, the number of bathrooms, whether it has a private terrace, garden, etc., should also be taken into account, depending on your financial possibilities.

Price is a determining factor

There is no point in finding the house of your dreams if the price is too high for the conditions it offers. You may, at first, be carried away by your emotions and think about buying the property because it awakens all kinds of feelings in you and your loved ones and you almost see yourselves living there.

However, you must take into account the area, the type of neighbours you are going to have, the quality of the materials, if it needs any type of renovation and if this can be very high, the services it offers, etc. For this reason, the price is one of the tips for buying a house that we provide you with in our Definitive Guide.

That it fits in with your salary

Along the same lines we have just mentioned, when choosing the perfect house for your family, it is necessary not to let yourself be carried away by irrational emotional impulses and assess whether you are going to be able to afford the monthly mortgage payment. Normally, a property that does not require more than 40% of your salary and that, in addition, you have in mind the possibility of moving up in your job to alleviate these expenses, is considered appropriate. Also, bear in mind that the property may need to be renovated or have high community fees.

New or second-hand house?

There is a wide range of opinions on this question, as there are many factors that can lead us to choose between a new or second-hand house. If we want to live in the centre of a city, the most likely option is to live in a second-hand house, but you should bear in mind that the price will be high and, in addition, the property will need a good renovation.

If you want to live on the outskirts, in the mountains or in rural areas, the first option will probably be the better of the two, as you will not have to carry out major renovations. However, you must take into account that the area is well communicated, that it has basic services and, in addition, you may have to pay quite high community fees, especially if the property has communal areas, such as a garden or swimming pool, among others.

Energy efficiency

This is one of the most important points of focus at the moment and one of the best pieces of advice when buying a house. Normally, all new-build homes are built with energy efficiency in mind and have some form of renewable energy production, such as a solar panel installation.

In older houses, you will probably have to renovate to increase their energy efficiency. It may seem costly, but we can assure you that the energy costs in a home that does not have the appropriate enclosures, the electricity consumption skyrockets. In addition, there are grants and subsidies that can help to alleviate the cost. Therefore, energy efficiency can help you save a lot of money month by month.

Know your neighbours

Choosing your home based on location, price or the condition of the property itself can be tempting. However, all this can be overshadowed in the medium to long term if your neighbours are unpleasant or if you don't know them beforehand. Therefore, among our tips when buying a house, we recommend you to talk to your neighbours before buying the property. This can help you get an idea of what the experience of living in the area is like.

Have an economic cushion

A good tip for buying your first home is to have a financial cushion to cover at least 20% of the price of the house. Remember that the mortgage loan covers between 70% and 80% and that the rest is the down payment you are going to have to make. In addition, you must have enough money to cover the management costs, such as the notary, the deed, the taxes to be paid and the extraordinary expenses.

Market and opportunities

When buying a property, it is important not to rush and to be as consistent as possible. As we have already mentioned, it is vital not to be carried away by your emotions and to think that the property is a market investment and that it provides you with good opportunities in the long term.

You must take everything into account, from the location to the condition of the property and its characteristics. Thus, among our tips for buying a house, we can highlight the need to purchase your property in an area where you are certain that it will increase in value over time.

Trust in a real estate agency

At Hoffmann you will find reliable, personalised and familiar advice when buying houses and flats for sale. We are much more than a real estate agency that helps you find the properties you like best in relation to your family's needs and wishes. We provide you with highly detailed information about your dream home.

We have creative tools to show you all the information you need thanks to the use of specialised equipment and qualified professionals in the production of photographs and audiovisuals to provide you with an overview of each property without losing sight of the details. In addition, we accompany and advise you throughout the whole process to make it as stress-free as possible.