Whether you are planning to move out for the first time and rent a place, looking for a new one, or purchasing your first home, every house-hunting experience will be different.

First-time movers will probably be overwhelmed while repeat movers will have a clue on where to start.

This is an entirely new phase and so many of us are excited with the prospect of going through houses but if this goes on for a while, the excitement wears off and a lack of interest sets in. 

To ensure that you get what you want within a reasonable time frame, we have a few tips that will help you navigate your house-hunting exploits. 

It is very important to know what you want. You can’t go into the market without a clue.

You will only get confused due to the variety of options available. Also, you might end up settling for a property you don’t enjoy. 

Are you looking for a single room, one, two or three bedrooms? What plan do you prefer - open or closed? What other details can you not live without? 

Make sure you have a list of what you want so that you don't miss out on any of your must-haves. Remember, you want to find a place that you love to go home to.

Some people buy or rent with the aim of having a family and thus get a more spacious house that will eventually accommodate their children. If this is you, this should be a prominent factor when scouting for your next house.

You don’t want to be in a position where you’ll have to move out again when the kids come around. 

On the other hand, if you are living alone, you have the flexibility to decide how much space you need. Some people have a lot of things that’ll need a bigger area and thus opt for one or even two rooms.    

You might also need a spare room if you plan to invite your friends or siblings for a sleepover or just have one because there is never a downside to having one.

There are a lot of scammers out there waiting to take advantage of your naivety. If anyone asks you to send a downpayment for a property you have not yet seen, know that he or she is playing the con game.

Once you send the money, their phone numbers will become unreachable and you will not have a way of retrieving your money. 

Some of the posters you see by the roadside with an eye-catching pricelist of houses are not credible. 

Always do your due diligence. 

This is important because some people have invested in non-existent homes for years only to find out that the companies promising to build cashed in on their money and never delivered on their promises. 

If you have one or two people who are experienced buyers of property, talk to them and ask for recommendations. 

It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the information you are getting and particularly with people who are looking for a quick sale. 

Most of us dream of living in the flashy side of town but what can make that dream become a reality is the money in your pocket. 

Before you go to an upscale neighbourhood to house-hunt, establish your budget. If it does not fit, it’s not yet time.

This goes for any neighbourhood. Don't look for houses that are way above your budget as you will have a difficult time keeping up with the rent payments. 

We wish you all the best in your house-hunting endeavours.

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