How Do I Decide Which Type of Property to Buy?

There are seven main types of property in the UK: flats, detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced houses, end-of-terrace houses, cottages and bungalows. The type of property you purchase will depend on your budget, the location you want to live in, and the level of privacy you would like.

The types of flats and houses for sale that you look for may be different to what you first expected. For example, you may initially want to purchase a terraced house but find the perfect bungalow with scope for a loft conversion. You may have your heart set on a detached farmhouse-style property, but fall in love with a semi-detached property because of the fantastic neighbours and community.

Location

One of the most important factors to consider is the location of the property. Flats and terraced housing tend to be found in city centres, whereas semi-detached, detached properties and cottages tend to be further afield in suburbs and rural areas.

If you want to be close to bars and restaurants, shopping and other amenities then a flat in a city centre location is likely to be more suitable. If you need to be close to schools, then a house in a suburban location may suit you better.

TOP TIP: What to look out for on a property viewing or when conducting research about the location:

● Visit the location at different times of day so you get a feel for the area.

● Drive through the location at busy times of the day to get a feel for rush-hour or school traffic.

● Look at local bus and train timetables, and ticket prices

● Have a look on your council website for past, current and future property and land developments.

Budget

Another important factor to consider when deciding on the property to buy is your budget. Flats tend to be cheaper to buy but have higher ongoing charges, whereas house prices tend to be more expensive initially.

TOP TIP: What to research when looking at your budget:

● Speak to a mortgage broker to find out how much you can borrow.

● If you intend to buy a leasehold property (for example a flat) make sure you fully understand the service charge, ground rent and sinking fund payments.

● Do plenty of research on websites such as Real Move to get a sense of house prices in comparison to other property types.

Privacy and Security

It is also important to consider the level of privacy you would like when deciding which type of property would suit you best. Detached and semi-detached housing tends to offer more privacy than terraced housing, and flats are a great option too, although there may be communal facilities depending on the block.

Many people choose to live in apartment buildings because of the added security of not living on the ground floor. Burglaries are much less common in apartment buildings, especially in higher floors. When deciding which type of property to buy, check out the crime rate in the local area to see if burglaries are common.

Need a hand getting started? Get in touch with Real Move

agent today to find out what properties are available in your local area. Alteriavly you may start to search through our extensive range of

houses for sale throughout the UK.