When looking to purchase a new home, it’s very exciting, you’re planning how your new life will be, but it’s also a time for caution, says Jonathan Welford.

Buying a home is a very emotional transaction, nearly as important to choosing a potential life partner, but the period of time between first date and committing to marriage is far greater than when purchasing most expensive item you are ever going to invest in, so it’s wise to take it slow and be careful. 

What should you look for when buying a home? After you’ve decided on location, size and price, there are certain things to assess. 

What to look out for with new build show homes

1. Living rooms rarely have a television in them, they are staged to have a conversational area, how likely is it your family could give up Netflix in exchange for knit and natter? 

2. Side lights are used to illuminate rooms, rather than the main light. This creates cosy warm pools in a home, which makes you feel drawn to them more. Switch the main light on, it will give a different perspective. 

3. Smaller furniture is used to make rooms seem bigger. When you are deciding on a property, have measurements of your key items of furniture. How do they compare? 

4. Bedrooms in show homes rarely have freestanding wardrobes in them. It may well be a family house, but will your family furniture requirements actually fit? 

5. Kitchens may look fresh and new, however does the kitchen of the show home have all the appliances you use? Is the microwave on the kitchen counter, coffee machine, toaster? If you put all of that out, how much space will be left? 

When buying a new build, ask to see an empty version of the model you are looking to buy. How do you feel when you are in that?  


What do some house sellers hide? 

1. A lit scented candle may give a glorious aroma, however, ask yourself what it may be hiding, is there a damp or drains issue? 

2. All of the doors are open, letting in lots of light. However, do those doors actually close into the frames?  

3. If the homeowners dictate when the viewings are, check back at the property at other times of day. Are the roads clogged up with people parking to go into work during the working week? Are there any industrial areas nearby, with lorries lumbering past your house during the day? 
4. If a property has been freshly decorated, check the walls with wallpaper on - tap the wall to see how stable the plaster is behind it. I’ve seen some households try to glue the wall back up with heavy wallpaper to disguise issues behind. 

It’s wise to be prudent and methodical when buying a home, don’t let your heart rule, let your head have its head.  

Jonathan Welford is a home staging and decluttering expert based in Cheshire, jonathanwelford.co.uk