How to buy a forever home

Are you looking for a home to build unforgettable memories in? To find a property to last a lifetime, consider these four tips:  

1. Flexibility

• Be realistic. The demands you make on your space will change over time, so be practical. 
• Open-plan living spaces could work in your favour as you will be able to tailor the space differently according to your needs; a dining space can soon become a play area, for example. 
• Will the style suit your lifestyle long-term? It’s not just about the décor, it has more to do with the structural elements. For example, a modern utilitarian feel might be perfect now, but could mean sharp edges for small children. 
• Choose a property that suits you now and that is likely to suit your needs in 20 years. 
• Consider the future. Is the property suitable to accommodate friends, children or older family members? Think about how your older relatives navigate the space and use that as a guide for the practicality of a home. 
• Might you need to let some, or all of the space? Would you ever consider travelling? Or, if your children emigrate, would you want to spend months with them?

2. Location

• Look closely at all your needs to help future-proof, as far as possible at least. Education from pre-school through to sixth form years should be factored in.
• Lasting homes should be well facilitated. Consider everything from bus routes to shops. The more local amenities available, the more robust your home will be for whatever circumstances appear on the horizon. 

3. Costs 

• An efficient home will make a great deal of difference. A sprawling mansion may seem like it will cater for every eventuality in life, perfect for children’s parties and social gatherings, but more space often means extra maintenance. 
• Buying a property that requires a lot of maintenance that you'll never really get round to can be costly. A property that's full of character, but will always need mending, could fritter your money away. 
• Choose a home you can afford to fully repair if necessary, or choose a cost-effective home you know you can heat through the winters. 

4. Can you sell it? 

• This is important: things change and you may want to move.
• Forever rarely means forever these days. 
• Ask yourself who would want to buy it in the future.