|
Amenities
If you want convenient amenities on hand,
a rural location might seem an idyllic prospect but if grocery shops and leisure
facilities are important, you're more likely to find these in large villages or
towns. Visit the
Central Office of
Information's Directgov website to access the widest range of public
services and information online.
Noise
Noise can be a major turn off, but bear in mind it can be difficult to escape it
entirely in this day and age: roads, rail and air are all noise pollutants that
affect rural villages as well as towns. Traffic can be a big issue and a road
that may seem quiet on a weekend, could sound more like the M25 on a weekday
during rush hour. Look at what's in the immediate vicinity: schools, offices,
shops and pubs will all increase the amount of traffic in the area so make sure
you view a house at different days and times of the week for an accurate
picture.
Property style
If you're after a particular style of property, this will influence where you
live. If it's a quaint old thatched cottage you're after, you won't find it in
the London suburbs, you'll have to look at historic villages. In some ways
having a specific type of house in mind can help narrow down the search but be
prepared to compromise too.
Research a neighbourhood
If you're a house buyer who is looking to move to a new area, you'll want to
find out as much as you can about the locations you're interested in. One of the
best ways is by talking to people in the neighbourhood: local shops, pubs and
estate agents can all provide a useful insight as to what it's like to live
there and which are the best areas. Move Home Online has helpful local
information including population, crime, health and schools. Many villages and
towns also have their own community websites with information including local
amenities, shops, businesses and clubs so you can get a feel for an area.
|
|
Checking out an area
Be aware of areas where there are environmental issues. You can find out if an area
is at risk of flooding, subsidence, pollution and other such issues by visiting
the
Environment Agency
website. Check also if an area is affected by naturally occurring Radon, especially if you're looking in the south west of England and west Wales. Radon is a natural
radioactive gas thought to be cancer causing and you'll find more details on the
Health Protection Agency
radon website
Find out about
planning applications in the area for new roads, buildings and other
undesirable developments that may impact on your area. Although these plans will
come up on the searches during conveyancing, you'll save yourself a lot of money,
time and disappointment if you do your research early on. Visit DirectGov to discover
your
local council website where you will find this information.
House prices
Finally, and most importantly, you need to find an area that you can afford.
There are many sources available, not least internet property searches to find out whether
the type of property you're looking for is
available within your budget.
|