How to Find Your Next Home When the Market is Slow

If you’re looking to buy a house in Battle there are a few things you’ll need to think about before committing. Here we list 10 things to consider before taking the plunge and making a purchase. 1. Find Out Your Budget It’s amazing how many buyers start viewing properties before they’ve even found out what their budget is. Many buyers have a vague idea and start looking well before getting the finance in place, only to find out they can’t borrow as much as they thought. So, before you start viewing properties in Battle and putting in offers, get in touch with a mortgage advisor to find out exactly how much you can borrow. They’ll also be able to tell you how much your monthly repayments will be, which will allow you to work out how much disposable income you’ll have left each month. 2. Have Your Finances in Place… And Factor in Additional Costs If your money is tied up in long-term funds or accounts then it may not be easy to access immediately, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get your funds released, and ideally transfer it into an instant access account when you’re ready to make a purchase. It will save a lot of potential aggravation further down the line and will help to speed up the process if you have your funds readily available. Another thing to consider is the additional costs that come with buying a property. Things like conveyancing fees and removal costs are unavoidable, but you’ll also want to think about items you’ll want in the property, such as furniture, electrical appliances, carpets and so on. After all, there’s no point in blowing your budget on a property if you can’t afford to furnish it! 3. Find the Right Location Think about your current circumstances as well as your future ones. Do you need to be close to a train station? Is there a primary school close by? Different buyers want different things when it comes to location, so think about what’s important to you and what’s not so essential. 4. Consider Outside Space The recent Coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of people’s attitudes towards what they’re looking for in a property, with gardens being a huge positive for buyers. You might not consider a garden to be essential, but having an outside space, even if it’s a small courtyard or a communal area can be very beneficial to your mental wellbeing. 5. Think About Office Space With millions of people now having the option to work from home, properties with home offices have seen an increase in demand too. So, if you’re one of the many people who’ll be spending more time working at home in the future, then a property with a study or the space for at least a desk may be perfect. 6. Does the Property Have Potential? It’s worth considering what value you may be able to add to the property in future, or what a future buyer may see in it. For example, is there space to add an extra bedroom or a conservatory? And if you’re only planning to own the property for a couple of years before moving on, is it likely to increase in value? Does it have good transport links or new facilities being built nearby for example? 7. What Condition Should the Property be in? Are you looking for a house in Battle that’s ready to move into tomorrow, or are you happy to spend time and money bringing it up to scratch? You’ll need to consider these options when you’re looking around and potentially adjust your budget accordingly. 8. Find a Good Conveyancer You don’t need to have a conveyancer in place before you start viewing properties, but the earlier you find one the smoother the process will be. Get several quotes and ask family and friends and your estate agent if they can recommend anyone. A good, recommended conveyancer will help to keep the whole buying process as stress-free as possible. 9. Understand What’s Included Try and find out which fixtures and fittings are included as soon as possible in the buying process, as it will allow you to work out if you need to budget for anything extra. For example, appliances such as fridges, freezers and washing machines will probably not be included as part of the purchase, which could lead to several hundred pounds of additional costs to consider. 10. Keep Your Spending in Check Before You Buy Remember, if you’re taking out a mortgage, your lender will be taking a deep look into your finances. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get them in check before starting the whole process. Don’t go loading up your credit card with purchases, and if you’re able to pay off debts or make them more manageable, it will go a long way to helping you get approved for a mortgage. Paul Stripp Estate Agent are your local property experts for the Battle area. Call us on 07891260449 or email info@paulstrippestateagent.com to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team

Are you thinking of moving to Battle, East Sussex? If so, you'll want to read this blog post! Here at Paul Stripp Estate Agency, we know that making a move can be daunting. That's why we've compiled everything you need to know into one handy post. We'll tell you about the schools in Battle, the transport options to London, and the annual events that take place in the area. We'll also give you an overview of the house prices in Battle so that you have a good idea of what to expect. So whether you're just curious about Battle or are ready to make the move, this post has got you covered! Where Exactly is Battle, East Sussex? Battle, or Battel as it used to be spelt, is situated approximately 50 miles southeast of London, 30 miles east of Brighton, and just a stone's throw from the coast of Hastings and Bexhill. The town is best known for its 12th-century Abbey, which was the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Schools In and Near Battle, East Sussex When it comes to local schools, Battle is spoilt for choice. Battle Abbey School is a co-educational private school for both day and boarding pupils aged 11-18. The school sits on the site of the Battle Abbey and is surrounded by beautiful countryside! There are also plenty of state schools to choose from including, Battle and Langton Primary School and Claverham Community College secondary school. Nearby, there is also Sedlescombe Primary School, Westfield Primary School, Netherfield Primary School, and Crowhurst Primary School (to name but a few). And for older school-age children, there's Robertsbridge Community College, Claremont Private School, Vinehall Private School, and Buckswood Private School all in the local vicinity. Transport Links from Battle, East Sussex Whether you're commuting to London for work or catching a train to the coast for a day out, Battle is well-connected when it comes to transport links.  The town has its own railway station with direct trains to London Charing Cross and Hastings. It is also one of the few local mainline stations, meaning that every train will stop in Battle. For those who prefer driving, the A21 runs right through Battle making it easy to get around by car. And for those flying, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are just a short drive away by car. While countryside buses are notoriously few and far between, Battle has a relatively regular service with buses into Hastings, Bexhill, and the surrounding villages. There's even a bus from Battle to the nearby Sainsbury's superstore. Shopping in Battle, East Sussex Battle has a good selection of shops for a town of its size and is proud to have a thriving local high street. There are the usual high street chains such as Boots and Costa Coffee, but the shops that really make Battle special are its independents.  Amongst a whole host of cafes, Battle also boasts its own independent bookshop, a variety of homeware and fashion stores, independent florists, a bakery, butchers, a zero-waste store, and fishmongers. There are also three supermarkets in Battle, Jempsons, CO-OP, and a Tesco Express fuel station. For an even more incredible selection of shops, Hastings, Eastbourne, and Tunbridge Wells all have bustling shopping centres, and Brighton is just an hour away by car. Annual Events in Battle, East Sussex There's always something going on in Battle, and the town takes great care to foster a real sense of community. Throughout the year, Battle plays host to a number of annual events, including the Battle of Hastings reenactment hosted by National Heritage, its famous Bonfire Night celebrations, and the Battle Festival. There's also an annual marbles match and Easter bonnet parade, and Christmas late night shopping. House Prices in Battle, East Sussex (2021 - 2022) Properties in Battle are highly sought after and have increased in value by 30% compared to prices in 2017. According to Rightmove, the average cost of a property in Battle last year was £464,044. If you're looking for a detached property in Battle, the average price is around £686,000, while semi-detached properties fetch around the £397,000 mark and flats sell for an average of £207,000. Ready to Move to Battle, East Sussex? If you're thinking of moving to Battle, then Paul Stripp Estate Agency would be delighted to help you find your perfect home. With over a decade of experience in the local area, we have a wealth of knowledge about Battle and the surrounding villages and towns. So, whether you're looking for a family home close to good schools or a retirement property near the coast, we can help you find it. Contact us today to find out more.