What to look for when hunting for a new home

As Phil and Kirstie will tell you, buying a home is all about Location, Location, Location — but an area that's right for one buyer might be a nightmare for another. Here are five key points to consider:

1. What sort of amenities do you want? Some people need to be within walking distance of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and pubs, while others are happy to hop on the bus or drive and prefer a more remote setting.
2. How will you travel to work? Are there good public transport links? Check out the journey duration at different times of day with apps like Google Maps.
3. What are the schools like? Parents can review and compare performance of local schools using government data. And if you’re not sure which catchment areas that the home falls into, check the local council’s website.
4. Are property values rising fast, rising slowly, or falling? Spotting a trend can help predict how your own home may perform – if you have a property to sell.
5. What is your noise tolerance? Visiting at different times of day and night gives a feel for sound levels and can even help identify problem neighbours.

1. Will your windows need replacing? Double glazing saves on energy costs and double-glazed windows typically last around 25–30 years¹. Look out for draughts and condensation as signs you need new windows. And check whether the doors and windows are draught proofed too.
2. What type of heating does the property have? Different types of heating have different levels of efficiency, for example heat pumps are around 3 to 4 times more efficient than LPG, oil, electricity and gas boilers². And if the home has a boiler, check its age to see whether it’ll need an upgrade soon – good boilers should last around 10-15 years. If the heating system is in need of an upgrade, you could even choose an air source heat pump as an environmentally-friendly way of heating your home. 
3. Is there natural ventilation for hot days? The climate crisis is making heatwaves more common³ and air conditioning can be expensive to run and a less-than-ideal option for the environment. So have a look at the window positioning to see if you could create an airflow to keep your home cool on those warmer days, for example.
   
4. Would you like to go greener? Picking a home with space for solar panels — or even one that already has them — can help reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills too. And wherever you end up, remember to look for an energy supplier that provides your home with 100% renewables-backed electricity as standard⁴, like E.ON Next.

It’s not just the energy efficiency of a home that can add to household expenses, there are lots of factors to consider when calculating potential costs.

1. Do you know your fixed costs? Service charges, parking permits, home insurance and Council Tax can add up month on month. And check if the home has a smart meter to help you to stay in control of your energy use and bills – you can get a smart meter installed free of charge if the previous owners didn’t have one.
2. Is the home in need of any repairs? It’s important to get a survey done to understand the condition of the house and whether it needs any immediate work.
3. Can you live with the bathroom and kitchen, or will you want to renovate or even relocate them? Changing the doors on a fitted kitchen for example can refresh the look without generating mountains of waste and costing the earth.
4. Is the home decorated to your taste? You might want to redecorate once you’ve moved in, and whether it’s painting the walls a different colour, taking down old wallpaper or something more drastic, there will be costs involved. 

1. Do you want outdoor space? If so, what are you going to use it for? Gardens are a great way to connect with nature and relax but can take considerable effort and expense to maintain.
   
2. How long do you plan to stay? A tiny bedroom for a toddler may not feel like such a smart decision once the child reaches their teens, and kids who are happy sharing now may need their own rooms faster than you'd think.
3. Do you own an electric vehicle or are you considering getting one? If so, choose a home that already has an electric vehicle charger installed or has off-road parking and the space to fit one.
4. How often will you be working from home? Rather than using a spare bedroom as office space, some homeowners convert under stair areas, landings, or even garden sheds.
5. Is there potential to expand? If similar properties on the street boast loft conversions, basements or conservatories, odds are you'll be able to do the same.

If you’re looking to move home and want to learn more about how you can take climate action with sustainable technologies, Chris Lovatt, our Chief Operating Officer of Energy Infrastructure Services, has written a guide all about the renewable and sustainable technologies you can install in your home for Zoopla, the property website and app.

^{1. Everest: How long does double glazing last?}

^{2. Based on a Daikin heat pump installed by E.ON. daikin.co.uk/en_gb/area-of-expertise/heating-and-heat-pumps}

^{3. BBC News: Extreme weather: What is it and how is it connected to climate change?}

^{4. E.ON Next supplies 100% renewables-backed electricity to homes and small businesses that sign or renew a contract directly with E.ON Next. Electricity backed by 100% renewable sources, E.ON's renewable generation assets, agreements with UK generators and the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. The electricity supplied to your home or business comes from the National Grid.}