By Mike Willson 
When buying a new home or property, there’s a lot to think about, from location to property size, price, and specific features and facilities.
An estate agent or dedicated property specialist can help you to narrow down your search and ensure you only book viewings at viable properties that could be a good fit. But all of that requires an idea of the kind of property you want.
That’s why, when it comes to buying a property in Chelmsford, our first piece of advice is to identify your non-negotiables and the things you can’t live without.
How to Identify Your Non-Negotiables – and Some Examples!
Non-negotiables are the property details and features that you consider to be must-haves. For example, many buyers list a garden as a non-negotiable, while details like an open-plan kitchen-diner might be more of an ideal.
In order to identify the non-negotiables that you should be filtering your property search by, start by considering the way you live. Do you have a young family, thereby affecting the kind of living space you want and how you will use any outside space available? Do you have pets that affect the way you live? Do you covet the modern home vibe with clean interiors and sharp edges, or are you looking to embrace some character and original features?
Answering questions like these will help you to recognise when a property meets your search criteria, and when it’s not worth the viewing time. Browsing online is an easy way to filter an initial collection of properties, or you can work with a property specialist to help shortlist the right potential homes for you.
Who Needs to Know These Must-Haves?
Property must-haves need to be shared with those who you are house hunting with, and with your estate agent or property specialist. The more information you share about the kind of home you are looking for, whether it’s a first home, a forever home, or a buy to let, the easier it is to dissect property sites and portfolios and put forward the best options for you.
Need some inspiration? Just some of the non-negotiables we’ve heard in the last year include garden storage and shed space, a breakfast bar, curved stairways, hardwood floor living spaces, a bath, and a separate dining room for more formal mealtimes.
No ask or non-negotiable is too niche or too difficult to find; we just need to know about it!
Start Your Property Search in Essex
There are many steps involved in buying a property, but searching for, viewing, and eventually finding your dream new home is undeniably the most enjoyable and the most exciting. Armed with information about those non-negotiables and the little details that make a house feel like your home, let property and home advisors in Essex support you with your search.