Buying your dream home is a big deal. An important part of that process is choosing the right location because in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location!

You want to make sure to choose the perfect location before committing to a property. Buying a house only to realise that the location isn’t ideal will cause you a lot of regret and heartache later on. No pressure, right?

So, how do you choose the perfect location? Here are 5 tips to help you zoom in on the right place for your dream home:

1. Figure out what type of property suits you best

Before you start house-hunting, ask yourself this question: Do you prefer staying in a landed property in the suburbs or a high-rise condo in the city centre?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors including your family size and personal preference.

For growing families with young children, landed properties in a suburban area could be a great fit. They offer more space and a peaceful environment for the family.

Single adults or couples, on the other hand, could opt for a condo in the city instead. Itoffers various in-house facilities (e.g. gym, swimming pool), and usually comes with easy access to public transport.

Still can’t decide? Here are the pros and cons of both landed properties and high-rise condos to help you make an informed decision. [Link to “Landed Property vs High-Rise” article]

2. Know your budget

When you’re looking for a house, it’s crucial to work out your budget. How much can you afford to offer as down payment? How much can you pay each month in instalments? Once you determine how much you can set aside for loan repayments every month, you can then work out your ideal price range for a home.

Knowing and communicating your budget to your agent allows them to suggest suitable locations and properties that meet your criteria. There’s nothing worse than viewing the perfect house and finding out, to your disappointment, that it’s outside your budget!

3. Consider the distance to your workplace

When looking for the right location, you’ll probably want to find one that’s not too far from your workplace. Decide on an acceptable distance for you and cast your net within that range, for instance 15–20 kilometres from your workplace.

In addition to distance, it’s also important to consider the level of traffic at peak hours. Certain areas can get very congested, potentially making your drive home after work a nightmare.

One way to assess the level of traffic in a particular location is by using the Google Maps app. With Google Maps, you have an option to set different departure days and times to see how bad the traffic usually is at peak hours. Better yet, take a drive around the area to gauge for yourself.

4. Consider the accessibility of important amenities

What amenities would you like to have close to your new home? Of course, no one place has it all, but you should consider what’s important to you based on your specific needs.

For instance:

◉ If you frequently use public transport, you’ll want to look at locations close to public transport terminals.

◉ If you have children (or plan to in the near future), you’ll want to check whether there are any day care services, kindergartens and schools nearby.

◉ If you live with elderly parents, having a hospital nearby could be very useful.

◉ If you have pets, you may want to have a dog park or playground nearby for their daily walks.

Reflect on your needs and choose a location that will best serve those needs.

5.  Assess the overall security of the area

When choosing a property, the safety of your family should always be a priority. Before deciding on a home, chat with the neighbours and inquire whether there have been any break-ins in the area recently.

You can even Google the location and check whether there have been any news reports about burglaries or snatch theft in the area. If security is a major concern for you, perhaps you could zoom in on gated-and-guarded housing areas or townships for better peace of mind.

6. Look out for nearby developments

From an investment point of view, a property with infrastructure and commercial developments nearby may see a substantial increase in its value over time. Plus, having malls, MRT stations, or highways in the vicinity of your home also makes life more convenient for you and your family.

Keep an eye out for new development projects and see whether there are any suitable properties close to that area.

7. Check out the access roads

Residential areas with multiple apartments and landed properties with a single access road can be troublesome for you, especially during peak hours! Driving into and out of the area will prove to be very time-consuming as residents will all have to use the same access road.

Ideally, you should look for residential areas with multiple access roads that’ll spread out the traffic at peak hours.

With these tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect location for your dream home in no time. Once you find the right location, it’s time to schedule some property viewings! Here are some things to look out for during a property viewing: 9 Things to Look Out For When Viewing a Property

Having trouble zooming in on the right location? Browse through our property listing for some ideas, or submit a request and our agents will help you out!