Search for property in the Southampton area

Do your homework on Southampton

Whether you're thinking of buying a Southampton property, renting a place to live in Southampton, selling or letting a property in Southampton or a nearby town, it's important to find out as much as you can about the area you're interested in.

Local press and internet sites can help you with research, for example, about current prices for Southampton property, typical Southampton rents, popular neighbourhoods in the Southampton area, facilities in Southampton itself or nearby towns. Southampton estate agents are a rich source of property information, so it's helpful to contact as many estate agents in the Southampton region as possible.

When researching the Southampton property market, it's useful, too, to make comparisons with different areas in and around Southampton. How do properties in Northam compare with houses or flats in Freemantle or St Denys, for example? Are property prices higher in Shirley or Portswood? Do properties sell more easily on the outskirts or in the suburbs of Southampton or in central Southampton? Do tenants need to rent flats in central Southampton or houses in Northam?

Property choices in Southampton

Think carefully about what you can afford to buy or rent in Southampton, what you need and what kinds of Southampton properties are available.

Do you need a ground-floor flat or a penthouse apartment in Southampton? Are there any chalet-style houses in Southampton? Can you afford a semi-detached Southampton house with off-road parking, or a detached property with garage, conservatory and land in a town or village near Southampton?

If you're selling or letting a Southampton house or flat, consider whether your prices are competitive for Southampton and, if you have a choice, whether this is the right time to sell or let a property in the Southampton area.

Taking the next steps in Southampton

If you've identified a house or flat to buy or rent in Southampton, in a suburb on the outskirts of Southampton or in a town or village near Southampton, arrange a viewing through a Southampton estate agent.

When viewing properties in the Southampton area, take your time and be thorough. Make your own careful assessment of the property, including its condition and aspect as well as the surroundings and locality. Compare what you see with the picture you built up when doing your research on properties in Southampton or the Southampton area.

Before selling or letting a property, get three valuations from estate agents in Southampton. Compare these with the market information you've gained so far. Decide on the most realistic price for selling or letting in Southampton, and make sure your property is at its best for viewing.

In all cases, carefully check and make sure you understand any agreements and small print, and don't forget - there's plenty of independent advice available from Southampton estate agents, letting agents and other sources in the Southampton region.

Searching by postcode or nearby areas

If you're looking for property to rent or buy in Southampton, you might also want to search for property in SO15, SO14, SO17 or SO18. Alternatively, if you're interested in renting or buying property near to the Southampton area, you may also like to consider the following nearby places: Northam, Freemantle, St Denys, Shirley and Portswood

Searching by estate agent

Get in touch with at least three Southampton estate agents. Estate agents in the Southampton area that you could ask for a valuation include Florida Property Agency in Southampton, Personal Homefinders in Southampton, Tenant Link in Southampton and Property Link in Southampton. All these estate agents have property for sale and property to let in the Southampton area and know the market well. Here's a fuller list of estate agents in the Southampton area: Florida Property Agency in Southampton, Personal Homefinders in Southampton, Tenant Link in Southampton, Property Link in Southampton, Leaders in Southampton, Pearsons in Southampton, The Flat Agency in Southampton, Marques in Southampton, Hampshire Homes in Southampton, Indigo House in Southampton

Tips for finding your perfect home

Whether you are interested in property to buy in Southampton or property to rent in Southampton, looking for a detached family home or a one-bedroom apartment, here are a few handy tips that will help guide you to the front door of your perfect new home in Hampshire.

What would your perfect Southampton home look like?

Before you begin looking at properties for sale in Southampton or properties to let in Southampton, make a wish list . and if you are looking for a family home, get everyone involved in writing it. As well as the basics (bedrooms and budget) you will need to consider:

Style: Old or new, detached, semi-detached or terraced houses in Southampton? Ground floor or Penthouse apartments in Southampton? Bungalow or Chalet-style Southampton house?

Parking: Garage, off-road parking, Southampton Residents. Permit Scheme?

Garden: Established greenery or low-maintenance hard landscaping?

Potential / Future needs: Working from home, conservatory, greenhouse, loft conversion?

Location

According to Estate Agents in Southampton, the three most important things to consider when choosing a property in Southampton are location, location and location. If you are searching for a property in Southampton on Southern Property Finder, it is likely that you are now homing in on a particular neighbourhood such as , or . So the location of your new home within the specific Southampton neighbourhood needs to be considered with care.

• Drive around the areas of Southampton that interest you and consider how near you want to be to local shops, schools, parks and other facilities;

• If you will be getting around Southampton on public transport, think about how far you would want to walk to the nearest train station or bus stop;;

• If you have school age children, contact the Southampton schools in the area and ask for a list of their catchment roads.

Southampton Estate Agents

Every Estate Agent in Southampton genuinely wants to be the one to find you your perfect home . after all, they are usually paid on commission only . so get as many of Southampton.s Estate Agents as possible sending you details of the latest available properties in Southampton as they come in. (Remember that Southernpropertyfinder.com makes it easy to contact all of the local Southampton Estate Agents listed on the site .in one go. via email). If you have any specific requirements, let the Southampton Estate Agents know up front, so they don't waste your time with the particulars of unsuitable properties.

Viewing (for prospective purchasers)

When viewing any private property for the first time, remember to .look past. the furnishings and decor. you may not share the sellers. taste, and these things can be easily changed. Focus instead on the space, and how it would meet your needs. Ask the vendors as many questions as you can think of concerning what it is like to actually live there. For example: What Council Tax Band is the house in? How does Southampton compare to Freemantle and Northam? Are the neighbours mostly families / students / retired people? What are the average monthly fuel bills? Is the water supply metered?

If a property seems to tick all your boxes, go back for a second viewing at a different time of day, to see how the light changes around the home, or if there is more noise from traffic or neighbours. If you are not a great DIY enthusiast, take a friend who is, and this time focus on the condition and general state of repair of the accommodation, to see what jobs may need doing. Turn on taps and flush the toilet to check out the plumbing, and walk around the whole house to see if there are any obvious structural problems before you pay out for a full-blown survey.

Selling or letting your property?

If you want to sell your property in Southampton, take a look through these tips for buyers and make sure you can answer any questions that prospective purchasers may have!

When it comes to fixing a sale price, do some market research of house prices in your area and get at least three valuations. Remember that buyers are more likely to make an offer than match your asking price. On the other hand, don't add in so much .room for manoeuvre. that you price yourself out of the Southampton property market!

When it comes to selecting an Estate Agent in Southampton to represent you, don't go by the valuation price alone. Ask how the Estate Agent will be working to sell your Southampton property; how much local property advertising they invest in Southampton property sales; whether they promote their portfolio through their own website or Southampton property portals (such as this one); what is the market like for property sales in Southampton; if they accompany prospective buyers on viewings and what percentage commission they will expect on any sale.

If you have a property to let in Southampton, ask how much local property advertising they invest in Southampton property lettings and Southampton property rental.