Moving your family to a new area can be very daunting, especially if locating for a new job or a complete change of lifestyle so it often pays to try before you buy. Here Hilary Breeze, of Helen Breeze Property Management tells us more…
Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas are popular destinations for couples moving out of London to raise their children and for parents working in the city who want space in the great outdoors whilst making their daily commute as easy as possible. Questions they ask themselves always include “How will I know where exactly to buy? Have we chosen the best location? What if we change our minds?”
These are the reasons many families now look to rent before they take the leap into home ownership. Cutting out the stress of the whole purchase process is much more appealing, especially in the short-term. There are other added benefits as well including:
1. Monthly outgoings and costs are much more controlled, with guaranteed fixed overheads and maintenance on tap. No need to spend out on costly repairs or find the money to replace the boiler in the first month!
2. Garden maintenance may be included in the monthly rent so you can get on with enjoying the fresh air as soon as you arrive – leave the weeding to someone else.
3. Landlords have usually chosen rental properties based on their location to good schools so you are likely to find top educational facilities right on your doorstep.
It also pays to find a local letting agent to help with your search. Like most local independent agents we survive on our reputation alone and always tailor our service to suit individual needs. With a lower turnover of staff local agents can also ensure you’ll receive good continuity of service. Also agents are usually part of the local high street and will want to help build and grow their communities.
Local letting agents will certainly have an extensive knowledge of their area. It’s vital if you are moving for schools or good transport links that agents understand what you need and have the answers to your questions immediately. It cut downs on unnecessary viewings and ensures you receive a highly bespoke service.
Lastly, make sure your local agent is ARLA approved. ARLA agents have client money protection, separate clients accounts and most importantly, ARLA trained staff.”