Why not make the most of your property buying journey from the outset by combining your viewing trip with a much needed summer holiday? Of course you can’t wait to finally get your hands on the keys, but there’s no reason why you can’t have some fun and find some time to relax when searching for your dream home in the sun.
Whether you have fallen in love with the sandy beaches of a Spanish costa, the stunning architecture of a European capital, the rolling hills of Tuscany or the glitz and glamour of France’s Cote d’Azur, you will be heading somewhere that means a lot to you. So treat your viewing trip as a much needed holiday, with the excitement of checking out some properties with potential thrown in.
Don’t create an unrealistic schedule crammed full of viewings located miles apart; otherwise you will end up rushing around more properties than you can manage, without giving them your full attention – not much fun in the summer heat. Deciding which property to spend your hard-earned savings on requires clarity of thought if you are going to make the right decision for you and your family. Only arrange to view a few properties at a time, so you are able to wander around at your own pace asking all the questions on your list, and taking the odd photo. Also factor in some time for exploring the local vicinity at each viewing. Seeing as you’re on holiday why not visit a bar and ask some questions about living there, or grab a bite to eat in a restaurant – all in the name of research of course.
Don’t feel guilty for taking a day or two off from viewing properties to do all the things that you would normally do on holiday. Think of this time as valuable lifestyle research, i.e. your chance to get a feel for what daily life will be like in your chosen destination. This could entail anything from popping to the shops and having a barbeque by the pool, to a spot of sightseeing.
You’re also going to need some time after your viewings to sit down, review your notes and discuss your thoughts with your partner. If this debrief has to be done on the beach or over a glass of wine and some seafood then so be it – it’s a tough life! Then it’s time to hit the road again to make a second visit to the properties that caught your eye. Of course you’ll have plenty of time in the diary for this, so you can do it at your own leisure.
The main aim of this laidback approach to viewing trips is to help you make informed decisions without the added pressure of time constraints or pushy estate agents. And if you don’t find anywhere that ticks all the boxes, it won’t be a wasted trip because you’ve had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and focused your search. This is your property buying journey, so view properties at a pace that suits you. If you follow this advice your viewing trip will be an enjoyable experience rather than a stressful chore.
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