We’ve all become familiar with assessing a home to see if it meets our needs, but it’s just as important to understand how to choose an area to buy a house.
When we shortlist a place to buy, we know the bedrooms we need and whether the garden will be right for the children at one end of the demographic scale. At the other end, we judge whether a property has too many steep stairs or a high-maintenance garden when we’re at an age when we want to avoid these.
Changing priorities for homebuyers
Increasingly, however, we have to do a similar check on the neighbourhood where our prospective new home is located. And our old preconceptions have changed.
I was struck by a survey this summer by a well-respected estate agency, asking 3,000 people – a representative number – what they wanted in their new locality.
It used to be good transport links followed by easy parking but now it’s all changed.
A pub came first – cheers to that! Followed by a doctor’s surgery and a Post Office. A local corner shop was next, followed by a check that the location was served by supermarket and takeaway deliveries.
In other words, we’re all living different lives these days. Our changing wish list for neighbourhood facilities reflects that we’re working from home more. Placing greater importance on local amenities yet cooking less than we did.
How schools affect housing choices
And there’s now a new take on where families want to live for the purposes of their children’s education. The new law-making private schools levy VAT on fees could see some parents moving to areas close to the best-achieving state schools. Making what were already highly competitive local housing markets even more sought-after and with higher price premiums to boot.
Although private education accounts for only 7% of all school-age children in the UK, the impact on some local housing markets could be much greater.
For example, two-thirds of English private schools are in southern England, and some 20% of Edinburgh secondary-age children are privately educated. So, more demand for homes near state schools in those areas could be a big factor locally. And would push prices even higher in top catchment areas.
Property and area details
Our local property guides give details of neighbourhood schools and their OFSTED ratings too. Improving your knowledge of how to choose an area to buy a house.
Now much as I admire many estate agents, I’m not sure all their property details yet reflect the way most of us live our lives these days. For example, I’ve seen details saying how many landline telephone points a house has. But not referring to whether the mobile signal is strong.
This will improve in the near future: agents will have to provide much more of what’s called ‘Material Information’. Listing some local services and utilities.
Lifestyle considerations for buyers
But even when this kicks in, my advice is that if you’re viewing a property make a list of what your lifestyle needs are. Not just within the house or flat but from the neighbourhood too. Knowing how to choose an area to buy a house involves aligning the location with your lifestyle requirements.
We have area guides for major locations here on Move iQ but also check online community and news forums. They may be highly opinionated, but they’ll give you intelligence on local shops and planning issues. And whether takeaway and online food delivery services include your new address.
Crime stats, air quality information and water quality data are all easily available now. So comprehensive research on how to choose an area to buy a house in is within almost everyone’s reach.
Don’t pay for what you don’t need
Be aware of what you don’t need. Homes near good transport links and those desirable catchment areas still attract hefty premiums. So, steer clear if your lifestyle does not require these.
We’re moving house less these days than we used to, mostly because of stamp duty and the high cost of moving, and the higher cost of mortgages.
So, when we do move, we need to get it right. Increasingly it’s all about location, location, location – now where have I heard that before?
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Last Updated: September 17th, 2024
