If you’re stepping into the exciting journey of house hunting in Southwest Sydney, it’s crucial to know precisely what to look for.
This approach not only accelerates the process when you find the right home but also helps you bypass properties that don’t meet your needs, saving time and avoiding some serious frustration. Here’s our guide to get you ready to view properties and ensure your new home meets both your current and future needs.
1. Consider your long-term goals
Before diving into property listings, take a moment to reflect on your long-term goals and life plan. Thinking about what you’d like your life to look like over the next 10 years can help you choose a property that aligns with your life’s trajectory. For couples, this means making sure you’re in sync, particularly around family planning. Also, consider how a property accommodates your work-life balance, including commute times and accessibility to essential services.
2. Start with a plan
Armed with a vision of your long-term goals, lifestyle, future family plans and daily necessities, establish a shared list of non-negotiables and nice-to-haves, revisiting this list as your search progresses. Whether it’s the need for extra bedrooms for a growing family or a dedicated space for remote work, clarity here is key.
3. What to look for at the inspection
When viewing properties, keep these considerations in mind:
Bedrooms and living spaces
Assess the number of bedrooms and living areas against your current and future needs. How many do you really need now, and will you need more in the future? Or do you need the space for your hobbies or work-from-home needs?
Kitchens and bathrooms
Beyond aesthetics, evaluate the practicality of these spaces. While an older kitchen might require updates, it might still be functional in the meantime. For bathrooms, having at least two toilets can be a game-changer, especially when entertaining guests, but having too many can quickly become a burden to clean.
Garage and storage
Evaluate your parking and storage needs. Do you need a two-car garage, such as to store expensive tools, or is there room to add a carport or shed later? Alternatively, are you happy to park on the street, and if so, is parking readily available?
Backyard
For those with pets, children, or a green thumb, a suitable backyard is vital. Assess the space for play, relaxation and gardening, including the amount of maintenance required, and if you’re willing or likely to do it.
Renovation potential
Assess whether the house needs work and if you’re financially ready to tackle renovations immediately or able to spread them out over time.
Proximity
Think about your day-to-day routine and factor in elements like the commute to work, school quality and proximity, public transport options, and lifestyle amenities such as parks, cafes, and shopping areas. While you might not be able to tick all these boxes, consider what’s going to make the biggest impact on your everyday life, and prioritise those. In addition, researching planned infrastructure or zoning changes can provide insight into how the neighbourhood might evolve.
4. Be realistic and ready to compromise
Remember, your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home. It’s common for first-time buyers, fresh from their parents’ well-established homes—which may be their second, third, or even fourth property—to aim for the stars. While this can be a good starting point, it’s essential to be realistic about what’s attainable within your budget. Be open to compromises, as you might start with a unit or a home that doesn’t tick every box but offers the potential to grow and change as you do. This may involve tolerating some aesthetic imperfections or planning incremental renovations. You might even find that living with a pink bathtub for a while isn’t so bad.
Ultimately, choosing the right home is about balancing your dreams with practical realities and being willing to compromise on some aspects. With careful planning, a clear understanding of your needs, and a willingness to look beyond surface imperfections, you can find a home in Southwest Sydney that serves as a comfortable and fulfilling base for the next chapter of your life.
The team at Prudential Real Estate is here to guide you through every step of the process, from understanding what to look for when viewing a house to finding a property that ticks all the right boxes. Reach out to our experienced team today using the details below to start your journey with professionals who understand the local market and are committed to making your home-buying experience seamless and successful.
Prudential Real Estate Campbelltown | (02) 4628 0033 | campbelltown@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Liverpool | (02) 9822 5999 | liverpool@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
