House hunting can be a daunting task, and even more so if you’re doing it solo. But if you’re secure in your job and committed to a location, embracing a solo lifestyle can actually be a liberating and exciting step in your life.
So if you’re heading into homeownership on your own, here is a complete guide on choosing the perfect house for a solo lifestyle. Let’s begin!
Important Things To Consider When Living Solo
Buying a home solo can often be the smartest decision you can make for yourself, but it’s no easy task.
If you’re heading down this road alone and need professional advice and assistance, consider hiring a licensed solicitor to help with the legal aspects of your purchase. For more information on how a solicitor can help in your home-buying journey, see this page.
Once you’ve got legal help on board, here are six important things you should consider when buying a house for yourself.
Lifestyle
The most important thing to consider is your lifestyle and schedule. Consider your job conditions and whether they require you to work from home or head to an office.
If you’re working from home while living alone, you may feel a bit of cabin fever if your space is too small. You don’t want to feel cooped up in a small studio, so consider buying a place with an additional room you can turn into an office space. This will be good for a change of scenery when you aren’t working.
Even if you work outside the house, consider whether you want separate spaces for your daily tasks. Just because you live solo doesn’t mean your entire house should be one room – consider if you require a lounge space, an additional room for relaxing and so on.
Budget
Living alone can be expensive, and it’s important to set a budget and follow it strictly. Once you’ve decided on a reasonable price range, look at houses only within that range.
You should also consider how much money you can put towards housing every month. If you’re working with a limited budget, a smaller home with fewer rooms will always be the more affordable option. Living in a smaller space isn’t always a bad thing – there are plenty of ways you can spruce up a cozy house to make the most out of your space!
If you aren’t set on a specific house or apartment yet, pay attention to your finances. The last thing you want to do is invest in a place above your means and later struggle with the upkeep and maintenance. Set a clear cap on what you can spend early on, and save money for upgrades, decor, repairs, and utilities once you finally move in.
Safety
Feeling safe at home is essential for everyone, especially solo homeowners. When buying alone, it’s important to remember that you won’t always be home and there will be nobody to look after your space when you’re away.
So, make safety your top priority when you go touring for your new place. Firstly, ensure you look for a house only in low-crime neighborhoods. For additional peace of mind, complexes with strict access or gated communities can add a layer of security. See if you can find a complex with security guards and a place that is well-lit, busy, and has great neighbors.
Also, take some rounds of your neighborhood and get to know the people so you can have someone look out for you if needed. Once you’ve finalized the place, install a home security system including motion sensors, cameras, and monitoring so you always know what’s happening, even when you’re not home.
Belongings
Another important consideration is how many belongings you have and what you’ll be bringing to your new home. If you’re moving from a spacious place, you may want to significantly downsize your belongings to suit your new solo lifestyle or invest in a larger space with extra rooms for storage.
For instance, if you like to work out, you might want to bring your handy treadmill to your new home. Or, if you’re a musician, you will want to reserve space for your piano or drum kit. Consider choosing a space with an extra room to fit these larger belongings, so you don’t have to struggle with clutter later on.
Visitors
Just because you’re living solo doesn’t mean you’ll always be alone!
We recommend considering how often you’ll entertain visitors and how long they will likely stay with you. If your family, friends, or partner frequently come to stay with you, you might want to look for a house with an extra bedroom you can turn into a guest room.
If it’s just the occasional stay-over with your sibling or a single friend, you could set space for pull-out mattresses or an overnight couch. This way, you won’t have to squeeze your visitors into your normal living space and can accommodate their needs better.
Pets
Living solo can sometimes get lonely, and if you bring along a furry friend to keep you company, you must ensure your home suits their needs!
Consider what pets you have or want to get and the type of space they require. Some animals may live in a large tank or cage, so you’ll need a spot to place that, along with room for their food and supplies.
If you’re getting a cat, you’ll need a designated space to keep a litter box and its food and water bowls. Aim to find enough space to separate your pet’s belongings from the rest of your stuff, even if you share a room with them.
When deciding to buy a home for a solo lifestyle, remember to think carefully about your social or career-related needs or just how much you like a specific place. Also keep the cost of living in mind, put safety first and remember to have some fun with your new solo lifestyle!