Buying a house is a big deal. Theres a lot of money involved, and its the biggest investment most of us will make in our lifetimes. Years of savings go into that moment when you can finally hand over a weighty deposit. But, when were looking at such large amounts of money, it pays to save where possible. That isnt always easy. Real estate is a hard world to get our heads around, and were often at the mercy of the companies we operate through. Its an act of trust, and you can only hope youre getting the best deals. But, there is a way around it. Technology has made life easier, and it can make your home move easier, too. It can also help you save where it matters if you know what youre doing.
COMPARE
Never before has it been so easy to compare costs. As well as the price of your house itself, you need to shell out for estate agents, surveyors, and a moving company. Before, your options were limited, but the internet has opened up a wealth of opportunities. You dont have to trawl from company to company to see what they have to offer. You can sit back and look from the comfort of your home. This allows you to get an accurate idea of the prices each offers. The net also provides the addition of online only estate agents. Take a look at reviews of the top 25 online estate agencies to get an idea of your options. The bonus is that youre generally looking at lower fees. These agencies operate remotely and so can charge less for their services. Again, though, its worth looking around before you make a decision!
GAIN AN IDEA OF HOUSE PRICES
The net also allows you to get a complete idea of house prices in your chosen area. You can sign up for email alerts from a variety of companies, and watch the market over time. This gives you the upper hand. Youre less likely to pay over the odds when you know the market this way. No longer do you have to take an estate agents word for it. This also puts you in a better position to haggle when it comes time to put in an offer. You can also back your haggling with solid facts which no agent can deny.
SOURCE SECOND-HAND BOXES
It may seem like small fish, but were talking about saving money in every aspect of your house move. Most moving companies will provide boxes, but they come at a cost. Save yourself the money by using the net to source your boxes. Once upon a time, you could walk into a shop and ask if they had any spares. Now, though, recycling means boxes are crushed as soon as theyre used. Instead, head to the pages of social media to do a shout out. You could ask among your friends or head to one of many freecycle pages on Facebook.