Where should I start looking for a home? Should I buy or should I build?

This is the most difficult decision that one must make when acquiring a new home. The process of locating or building a suitable home is not usually a decision that is taken quickly. The first thing you need to know is how much money you can afford to pay for a house.

Some useful tips on buying a home:

• Decide beforehand in which area you want to live and concentrate your efforts on that area;
• Contact Real Estate agents or Real Estate Promoters and advise them of the amount you can spend on a property and the area in which you would like to live
• Refer to newspaper advertisements;
• Visit Abbey Building Society links to property developers and Properties offered;
• Let people know that you are in the market for a home.

The house that you purchase should take into consideration:

• The size of the land you desire;
• Number of bedrooms for your family;
• Additional amenities required - Family/T.V room/gallery, etc.;
• Desirable neighborhood;
• Close proximity to transportation, schools, shopping and other services;
• Availability and reliability of utilities;
• Security.

Tips on viewing a prospective home:

Examine the house carefully for:

• Leaking roofs - i.e. water stained ceilings;
• Visible cracks/repaired cracks....especially wall joints;
• Moisture damage on walls/floors;
• Shifting foundations - exterior cracks should be carefully examined by a construction professional;
• Leaning walls;
• Termite eaten woodwork/droppings;
• Deteriorating floors;
• Dilapidated cupboards;
• Damaged plumbing, e.g. flush all toilets, turn on/off all faucets etc.;
• Worn or exposed electrical wiring - turn on all electrical outlets and motors;
• Land slippage.

All of the above will provide you with an idea of the condition of the house and therefore, enable you to contact repair specialists with a view to determining the costs you will incur to rectify those problems. That of course, will determine the price you pay for the house.