Our Real Guide to house hunting

Choosing a home to buy for you and your family is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever make! For starters, it's a big financial commitment with long-term implications. It's also the place where your children will be raised and years' worth of memories will be made. There's lots to consider, so Jawitz Properties has put together this Real Guide to House Hunting with three basic, yet imperative considerations: the type of property you wish to invest in, the neighbourhood and the nearby amenities.

First things first: what type of property is best suited to your preferences?

There are a few different types of property that you can choose to invest in and call home. You can live in an apartment, a complex or a freestanding house. Apartments and complexes are typically known as sectional titles, and that you'll need to pay a monthly levy and ultimately be a part of a body corporate if you choose to buy into a sectional title.

There are two main advantages of buying an apartment: firstly, they are generally the most affordable type of property in an area and secondly, because they're smaller, they often need less maintenance. Similarly, buying into a complex often means that certain exterior maintenance tasks are managed by the body corporate - meaning less work for you. Apartment blocks, sectional titles and lifestyle estates often have features like swimming pools, clubhouses and walking or jogging trails. They tend to have the advantage of superior security measures, such as security guards, access control and electric fencing.

For families looking to personalise various aspects of their home (especially the exterior), a freestanding house may tick the box for you. Owning a freestanding home gives you the freedom (and often the additional space) to expand or alter your property to your family's preferences. It's also important to highlight that freestanding homes are also located in estates and complexes which may lean in your favour.

Don't just look at the house - take a real look at the neighbourhood

Once you've decided what type of property matches your buying preferences, it's time to think about the age-old real estate adage: location, location, location. If you're looking to buy property in an area you've lived before, this may seem simple. However, this may become a far more comprehensive task if you're looking for a home in an unfamiliar area, especially if you're semigrating. Online research can be a favourable asset here. Read area profiles about the area that you are exploring and join social media groups to get a real idea of what locals are talking about. Chatting to an experienced property practitioner is another promising approach to getting your finger on the pulse with local area happenings and potential area choices.

Think about the amenities nearby

Over and above thinking about the tone and ambience of your new neighbourhood, you also need to consider the amenities in the area, remembering that property is a long-term investment. Topics up for consideration could be, but are not limited to:

1. You may not have children now, but if you're planning to start a family in the next few years, you'll need to think about local schools and their catchment areas.
2. If you work from home, you'll need to look at how stable the internet connectivity in the area is and what fibre solutions are available. 
3. Accessibility to health care providers is key, so do your diligence with familiarising yourself with these relevant locations.
4. Explore the area and find out what there is to do for fun and what places there are to pursue your hobbies and interests.
5. If you regularly go to church, temple or mosque, find out if there is a suitable spiritual home nearby for you.
6. Accessibility to shopping centres and local favourite grocery stores should be on your area-scope radar.

If you're looking around an area that a property practitioner has recommended and you start to feel excited - you're probably well on your way to finding your new home.

The Jawitz Properties team has decades of experience in helping South Africans find their new homes. Contact us to help you through every stage of the process of becoming a homeowner.