Many Americans dream of one day jetting off to Europe and seeing what there is to offer there. This is something which works both ways with many British people heading off to the states to see the attractions and get a taste of American culture. While visiting the UK can be fun and teach you a lot about what it is like to live there, the only way to really see what it is like is to invest in a property.
Investing in a property in the UK is tricky but it is possible if you take the time to get all of the paperwork correct and find the right property for you. To help you with this, we have put together some of our best tips to help you figure out what to look for in your UK property. This will include everything from off-road parking to finding the best local Wood Floor Warehouse UK Stores. Keep reading to find out more.
Off-Road Parking
In the UK, homes don’t tend to have as much land as you’ll find in the USA. This often means that homes are cramped in beside each other in some of the cities like Manchester or Glasgow so you’ll find that it is harder to park your car. Of course, some cities won’t require you to have a car – having one can actually be quite an inconvenience. However, some people do enjoy having a car, but this is something which you are going to need to consider carefully. It might be easier to use public transport to get to work but you might find it harder to explore the UK this way.
When looking for your UK property, look for one that has off-road parking. It is possible to find a property that has a driveway or a garage that you can use nearby. To find a property that offers this, you might need to pay a little more or stay further away from the city centre. If having a car is a priority to you when you live in the UK, then you are going to need to keep an eye out for off-road parking.
Solid Wood Flooring
Next up on our list of things that you should look out for in your UK property is solid wood flooring. This is a stunning type of flooring that tends to be quite common in the UK, but it often costs a lot more to install and find. Solid wood flooring can add a kind of traditional look to your home which is something which many people from the USA aim for when moving to the UK.
If the property that you are looking at doesn’t already come with solid wood flooring, then don’t worry because there are plenty of Wood Floor Warehouse UK stores that you can find nearby. Simply get in touch with your nearest Wood Floor Warehouse UK Stores and they should help you to get the solid wood flooring installed in no time at all.
While there are other options when it comes to flooring, there is nothing quite like solid wood flooring. Make sure to look out for this when you are locating a property in the UK.
Good Location
Regardless of where you are planning on investing in a property, you need to think carefully about the location. The UK is a huge place and it includes many cities as well as rural locations. You need to think carefully about the place that you want to live in order to make the right decision for you.
For those looking for the big city, London is always a great option, but you can also try cities like Liverpool or Belfast for something a little different. If a big city isn’t your thing then consider a smaller area in rural Scotland or in the English countryside.
When looking at the location, you must also consider what is nearby. If you do decide to go for a rural location, then this needs to be considered carefully. Are there any stores nearby where you can pick up food? What about nearby schools and transport routes? If you don’t take time to consider these factors, then you might risk making the wrong decision for your new UK property. Usually, you can find plenty of information online about a certain area to help you figure out if it is right for you and your family.
Number Of Bathrooms
One of the things that people tend to forget when they are investing in a new property is the number of bathrooms. While most people are comfortable with having just one bathroom, it can sometimes be beneficial to have a second bathroom in your property. This is especially important if you are planning on moving there with a larger family. This will give you more space to live comfortably and give everyone a chance to get out the door on time.
The number of bathrooms can also be something which is important if you are living somewhere that requires public transport. In London for example, getting around can be time-consuming and so you might need to leave for work early. This can mean that everyone in your household is trying to get out of the door at the same time and an extra bathroom can really help with this.
Open-Plan Space
Open-plan homes have been in fashion for a while now and it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere. In the UK, this trend is very hot, and many homeowners are converting their home to fit the open-plan style. If you are looking for a home in the UK, it might be a good idea to look for one that is more open-plan.
This can be even more important if you need to pay for a smaller property. With an open-plan layout, you can still pay a smaller amount, but the space will seem much bigger. Some of the best layouts merge the kitchen and the living area into one so make sure to look out for this.
If your property isn’t already in an open-plan layout then you might want to think about changing it around and investing some more money into it.
A Garden
In the UK, having a garden that can be enjoyed it something which many people dream of. Not every home comes with a garden and some are shared amongst neighbors which can be disappointing if you are living in a block of apartments. If you are moving from the USA, then you might be used to having your own garden that you can relax in so you should make sure to look out for a UK property that allows for the same thing.
Whether you are on the hunt for a property with lots of land or one that simply allows you to entertain friends in the summer, you should be able to find a property that suits. Always take a look at the garden when viewing properties and this should help you to make the right decision.
Once you have your garden, you can kit it out with plants, trees and include a barbecue area for all of those summer parties that you are going to host. Look online for some inspiration to help you make your garden look really great.
Storage Space
The next thing on our list of things you should look for in your UK property is extra storage space. Many of the homes in the UK are generally smaller and this can be a problem if you are planning on moving in a lot of your things and buying some new furniture. If you are looking for a larger property then you should be fine but otherwise, look for a property that has enough storage space to allow you to live comfortably.
Storage space can sometimes be hidden and so you’ll need to look out for this. Is there an attic that you can store your things in? What about a garage or space under the house? It is advisable that you ask about storage space when you are on the hunt for your property as this can come in very handy along the way.
It is always possible to add some extra storage space, but it can be tricky if there is nowhere to do so in the property. Don’t ignore this tip as it can help you out a lot.
Natural Lighting
The UK isn’t the sunniest place in the world, but it does have some sun throughout the year. This is why you need to make sure that you are looking for a property that has some good natural lighting if you want to make your home look great. Natural lighting can come in through the windows but only if they are not being blocked by something in the home. Look for a property with large windows as these can look great and help you to get some natural lighting in there when the sun is out.
The great thing about natural lighting is that it can also help you to save some money on your energy bills. Energy bills in the UK are not cheap and by using less artificial lighting in your home when the natural lighting is there, you can save some money.
Make sure to keep an eye on a property that has natural lighting and this will go a long way.
Neutral Décor
The final thing on our list of things you should look for in your UK property is neutral décor. When you first move home, you will find that it is a very expensive task. You need to spend money on the move itself, the new property and on decorating and buying furniture. One of the biggest reasons why people end up going over budget is that they invest in a property that is decorated the complete opposite of their tastes. While many people buy a property knowing that they can decorate to make it perfect, they find that it sends them way over budget.
To avoid this, you should look for a property that has a décor that matches your style. Of course, this is not always possible, and it can make finding the right property harder. To combat this, you should look for a property that has a neutral décor. Then, you don’t need to rush into decorating the entire property as you will be comfortable with the neutral décor until then. This can save you some money and mean that you don’t have to spend your first few months in your home decorating.
There are many homes in the UK that have neutral décor so take a look at these. You might need to view the home in person as the images in the advert online might not always show the current décor.
Final Verdict
If you are planning on living in the UK in the near future, you should make sure to take on board all of the advice that we have given you here in this article. Think about choosing a home that is in a location that you’d actually want to live in and not just one that you have heard is good. You should also think about the storage space that is in the home and if there is any potential for adding more in the future.
Finding a new home is a difficult task but it is one that you need to deal with if you are moving home. While staying in the USA can be an easy decision, it is possible to move to the UK if you know what you are doing. Make sure to take on board all of the advice that we have given you here in this article. This should help you to figure out which is the right property for you and your family.
