Now that the housing market is open and life will hopefully begin a gradual return to something resembling normality, you might be thinking about finding an affordable property. London is notorious for its high property prices, but that doesn’t mean there are no bargains out there. It just requires some additional effort and research – both online and offline – to find something that suits your budget and wish list.
And when you do find that house or flat that ticks all the boxes, you’ll need a reliable company like Aussie to move you in. We’re always here to provide assistance and advice where possible, which is why we put together this guide on finding an affordable home in London.
Tips on Finding an Affordable London Home –
For any Londoner, becoming a homeowner is a dream that many would love to make a reality, but it’s not always that simple. Lots of people fall into the trap of continuous renting because it’s tough to set aside enough money per month. With higher house prices than most of the UK, it’s no small feat to buy a house or flat successfully in London.
If you’re in this situation, then it’s going to take a lot of discipline to save up enough for a deposit, especially if lenders decide to make the criteria for home loans more stringent. You can start putting some figures together now by working out what you can spare each money after your expenses. It’s possible to do if you can make some lifestyle changes and find ways to trim your outgoings.
One thing that you should do some research on is housing schemes. There are several initiatives available for first-time and lower-income buyers to purchase a property. Additionally, it might even be an idea to buy at auction and develop property yourself. Lots of possible avenues for you to explore, so why not have a look online to see what you can find?
The Aussie Man & Van team are continually thinking of ways we can help our customers and followers. Although this guide doesn’t hold all the answers, it can help you start your journey towards homeownership. You have lots of planning, research and preparation work ahead. There’s no time like the present, so have a read through this blog and go from there.
Areas Where You’ll Find Value for Money in London –
We’re starting with some pointers on places where you can find some properties below the average London housing price. A lot of them will be underdoing regeneration work which means the amenities are improving. But that does come with the caveat of imminent increases to property values as a result. Although the housing market itself may see an overall downturn soon.
Croydon – this is a favourite for young professionals and has plenty of property types to choose from. Croydon is a trendy location, but house prices haven’t seen any massive leaps. The local amenities are excellent, and it’s only twenty minutes to reach Central London from here.
Bexley – this location is a favourite for people who want a larger property without breaking the bank. Bexley’s house prices are at the bottom end of the scale in comparison to most of Greater London. And it remains on every must-view area for value every year.
Acton – this is as close as you’ll get to the city centre without paying a significant mortgage or rental prices. Acton is just as the end of Zone 2, but its Tube links are excellent. You’ll be in Oxford Circus before you get a chance to open your book or check your email.
Havering – this is a vibrant place to live with an impressive array of activities on offer. Havering is known for its shopping and nightlife, so it may work out for Londoners who want an affordable home in a fun area.
Crystal Palace – this place has it all – green spaces, hilltop views of London’s skyline, and excellent places to eat and drink. And house prices in Crystal Palace make it one of the best value for money postcodes in London.
Why Are Surveys Important When House-Hunting?
Surveys are an invaluable part of the purchasing process, and they can protect you from any unexpected repair costs after you move in. Getting a survey for a property will give you an idea of any investment you’ll need to outlay. Money spent on a decent survey can help you avoid expensive surprises and costly repair jobs.
RICS Condition Report – this report details the condition of the property, including any risks and potential legal issues. It pays specific attention to significant defects. People tend to go with this option for newer houses that seem to be at a decent level of maintenance. The report won’t include any advice on next action or valuations.
RICS HomeBuyer Report – this report will check for any structural problems, such as subsidence or damp. You should be aware that this doesn’t extend beneath floorboards or behind the walls. This is a more in-depth survey that the condition report and will cost you more, but it’s possible to renegotiate the seller’s asking price if the repairs require a significant amount of money to undertake
RICS Building Survey – if you need a more accurate level of inspection, this building survey uses a simple rating system to ensure that you can quickly identify the most serious issues. You’ll receive an in-depth analysis of the property’s condition, highlighting a range of problems which includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options.
Building Structural Survey – this is a comprehensive survey that’s suitable for all residential properties. Specifically, for older homes or homes that might need repairs. The surveyor will give you information on potential repair options and an overall estimate of any possible defects that might occur in the future.
Auction Properties and Property Development –
You’ll need to do lots of property scouting if you want to find a hidden gem, especially if you want a more exclusive postcode. For example, if you find a bargain in Chelsea, you’ll need to make sure surveys have been completed to avoid a costly money pit. It’s worth remembering that you’ll likely move again in the future and will need to recoup any investments you make.
Transport links are important, as are schools that Ofsted rank highly and healthcare facilities. Likewise, the local amenities will attract potential buyers. Ideally, if you choose a location with easily accessible Tube links, several schools, a GP’s surgery and plenty of shops nearby, you’re doing well. It’s also an idea to make sure that crime or unemployment aren’t underlying issues.
Auction houses are another option you should consider, and there are several happening every week across Greater London. You’ll be able to find any number of them online, and most auction houses put information about the properties before hosting the events. It might also be worth dropping them an email to see if they’ll send you more details before the bidding begins.
You should also contact a few estate agents in various parts of London and also sign up for property updates online. It’s essential that you undertake your research for potential properties, as well as via auctions. Do your research several directions and give your requirements to a few estate agents to enlist them with your search.
Other Things to Research When Property Scouting –
Like any relocation, the more time you spend before your move, the easier it will be. We always suggest doing as much online research as possible. If you choose a few areas you like the look of, you can find out a lot about them. In addition to your online research, you should visit each town a few times to get a proper feel for the area.
There is no limit to what your research should concentrate on; we all require different services. The crucial thing for any professional who will commute to London is transport links. Ideally, you’ll need a railway station in or near the town. And you should also aim to keep your commute to under one hour from London.
Then, you can investigate other aspects that will inform and influence your final decision. That’s things like education, healthcare, local amenities, restaurants, bars, leisure activities and green spaces. But these examples are by no means exhaustive. You should create a list of things that are important to you and be as thorough as possible.
A Range of Removals and Storage Services –
Aussie has a fleet of vehicles available, which means we can accommodate all types of relocation. Our Man & Van service is ideal for smaller moves within the same city or town. The volume of items, furniture and appliances will influence the size of the vehicle we assign. The smaller vans are also better for loading in busy streets with lots of stationery cars.
If you have larger items of furniture and appliances or a more significant volume of things, we will suggest using our Removals service. One of the benefits of this service is being able to move everything in one trip. When discussing removal options, our team will always provide you with the most efficient and cheaper package.
Aussie’s National Moving service gives us the ability to relocate you anywhere in the UK. This also means we have the capacity to collect you and move you to London. Furthermore, this also applies to our European Removal service. We can relocate you to most towns and cities on the continent through our network of partner companies.
We also have three storage options available in case of moving delays. Our Container Storage package would be suitable if you want long-term storage. Self Storage is typically for people who require frequent access or needs storage for a short period. And our AusBox Storage package combines elements of both the previous options.
Aussie Man & Van – London’s Can-Do Removals Company –
Aussie Man & Van operates from five branches spread throughout London, and we also have additional depots in Bath and Oxford. Customer service is of paramount importance to the Aussie team, and we work hard to create and deliver the best removals packages in London. In addition to our primary removals services, we have specialist packages that you won’t find anywhere else.
Aussie is the ‘can-do’ removals and storage company. We will take on any removals or storage job, delivering the best possible service. Our team are all experts in removals and storage, and we make sure they have the latest tools and removals equipment.
If you’re planning your next relocation in London, please contact us today, and we’ll go into more detail about our removal’s services.
