6 top tips to be a successful homebuyer in Okehampton and Tavistock

There was a time when buying a property felt quite straightforward, but what the last few years have demonstrated is that things can certainly be a bit more tricky. The housing market today is a very different animal with challenges at every stage, from finding a home to securing a decent mortgage and weathering the sales process with all its up and downs. To succeed in an ever changing market requires a particular mindset; therefore, if you are looking for a property in the West Country at the moment, we have put together a list of 6 highly effective practices for today’s house hunters.

1. Open-mindedness

Today’s highly effective homebuyers are open-minded in that they understand that a fixed idea of a property can hinder their search. Yes, we all dream of our ‘perfect’ home, but as with everything in life, there has to be a compromise or two along the way. When you approach your search with an open mind, you will no doubt find properties that exceed your preconceived ideas.

One criteria that often features high on a homebuyer’s list is location, as people tend to have a fixed idea in their mind of where they would like to live. Pre-pandemic, searches were typically focused on commutability, however with the rise of home working location criteria can be a bit more flexible. Locations outside commutable zones can be considered, especially if you work in a hybrid or remote role, opening up more possibilities.

2. Not emotionally swayed

Its tempting to become quickly emotionally invested in a home when considering or making an offer, but its essential to keep your emotions in check as much as possible. When looking at your home, you need to think with your head and not just your heart, as if it is your heart doing the decision-making, you could be heading for heartbreak. Although a rejected offer will likely sting, make sure you use the rejection as a learning opportunity to increase your chances of success with the next offer - talk things through with the estate agent to find out why your offer was rejected as there could be something that you could do to strengthen your next offer.

Have you clarified your situation? Should you be in a strong position? If the property you wanted is not meant to be, you never know what may be coming onto the market in the coming days. If you keep your heart on the one the lost, you will find it hard to look at anything new objectively. This is why you should look at each home with a fresh pair of eyes rather than from a heartbroken perspective.

3. Willingly ask questions

No one teaches us how to buy a property, and yet when that time comes, we are supposed to know what to do. Whether you are purchasing a home for the first time or moving again after many years, you may have many questions but feel reluctant to ask out of a fear of looking silly. At Miller Town & Country we encourage you to ask every single question on your list and any random ones that spring to mind – we promise we won’t make you feel silly! Whether you want to know more about a property, understand all that’s involved in the sales process, or what documents you are required to produce as part of the sale, every question is welcomed, especially if it helps you make the best decisions on buying a home.

Highly effective homebuyers do their homework, they make a list of questions at every stage so they know that every concern is considered, and they have all the facts at hand. Placing yourself with as much knowledge as possible puts you in a very strong position to secure the ideal home.

4. Don't be deceived by looks

Everyone is looking for that perfect home, but the most successful buyers are able to look past a pristine décor and beyond the need for repairs to see what a home truly offers. There are many things in a property you are able to change, and there are things which can be a lot more difficult without a lot of investment.

The bones of a house are what you should be looking for: do the room sizes work for your needs, does the property flow? Changes to décor can be swift, whereas knocking down walls and extending requires more time and resources. There may be a limit to the amount of work you can take on, so understand the condition of the property and the associated costs of your plans before you make a commitment to purchase.

5. Be flexible

Our lives are busy and we can be pulled in many directions, but if you are able to be flexible and available you may be one of the first to view a property. Flexibility is an essential habit of a house hunter; should an estate agent call with an exciting listing, don’t waste a minute – book a viewing immediately. It may not be what you are looking for on paper, but it could turn out to be that property you needed all along, and you don’t want delaying a viewing to be the reason it isn’t now yours.

6. Persistence

‘If at first you don’t succeed …’ It is easy to feel deflated when you get rejected, especially when it comes to putting an offer in on a property. You have a wealth of hopes and plans all wrapped up in those four walls; you will have no doubt of seen yourself living there and felt completely at home. And to have these thoughts snatched away can put you on an emotional rollercoaster, but this is not a reason to give up. Therefore, if your first offer is rejected and then the second, and even the third, our advice is: don’t give up!

If you are looking for a new home in Okehampton or Tavistock, adopt the habits of a highly effective homebuyer for a successful buying experience. If you have any questions regarding the current property market or how to buy a property, please do contact our team on 01822 617243 or 01837 54080