Our Guide for Finding Your Dream Home in 2023

Trying to find the perfect home can be incredibly overwhelming.

With so much choice out there, it’s prudent to explore every avenue and be prepared to ask quite a few questions along the way!   

Luckily, the main thing you need is a solid game plan and an open mind to find your new home – that’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to help get you started!

Know what you’re looking for

Scrolling through listings on estate agent websites or seeing agents post beautiful properties on your Instagram feed is such a fun and exciting way to start your search, but it can also be very overwhelming. As the housing market in South Wales has so much to offer, our advice is to decide what you’re looking for before you start looking online. Going through page after page of properties can make it feel daunting, and make the idea of choosing one feel like an impossible task! But if you’ve already narrowed down what you’re searching for, you’ll be able to add search criteria so you’ll only be viewing homes which are right for you.

Decide if you should sell first

If you’re already a homeowner, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to sell your current property before buying your next. Whilst it does come with risks, if you choose to sell your property first, it will put you in a strong position. Being a ‘chain-free’ buyer is incredibly desirable for sellers, and often see their offers accepted, especially if the vendor is looking for a quick sale! However, the risk is that you may end up selling your home long before you find your next one, so you’ll need to weigh up your options before making a decision.

Settle on a budget

The main thing most buyers focus on is getting their deposit together, but there are lots of additional costs that come with buying a home. All of them add up and can create a substantial sum that will affect the overall cost of your move. If you buy a fixer-upper, or a property that needs some TLC, you’ll be looking at even more additional costs. Settling on your final budget early will allow you to move forward with confidence – and you’ll avoid overspending!

Choose a location

Location, location, location – it’s an important one!

Whether you’re choosing to relocate somewhere new, or sticking close to your roots, thinking about your location is a crucial decision. Even smaller cities like Cardiff have a varied mix of neighbourhoods, from quiet and leafy Pontcanna to the happening streets of Cathays. It’s worth researching the area to find the perfect spot for you if you want to be near amenities, or if you’d prefer the peace and quiet of somewhere more rural. You can make sure the area’s right for you and your family by researching crime rates, transport links and local schools.

Plan for Growth

Your plans for the future might impact which type of home you choose. If you’re buying your first home, you might be planning to buy up in a few years. However if you’re a young family, you might be looking for your ‘forever home’, and it’s important to choose one that’s big enough for you to grow into, and something you’ll still love in the years to come.

We hope you find this guide useful in your property search – and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that you find your dream home soon!

Are you interested in selling your property?

Contact us for a free market appraisal →