When it comes to buying our first home, many doubts arise: from the first steps to acquire it to the decoration. Lack of experience sometimes plays tricks. We find ourselves in situations that we have never faced before and we make a series of mistakes that are very common among first-time buyers.
In recent years, more and more families are considering the possibility of living away from the city centre, in an area on the outskirts of the city. Thus, according to the latest data from Adevinta’s ‘Digital Pulse’ report, 46% of people are interested in rustic properties, 36% in detached houses and 24% in semi-detached houses.
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POOR PLANNING
Proper planning of the process is crucial to meet the objectives and control costs. Anticipating and having everything under control helps to have fewer unforeseen events and less work.
Time management in construction projects is an important factor, because if it is not done correctly, the final result of the work can be affected.
Improvisation must be avoided and you cannot afford to lose control of any unforeseen event that may arise.
NOT HAVING THE NECESSARY PERMITS
The first step when acquiring a plot of land is to go to the Land Registry and request a nota simple. Thanks to the fact that this document verifies aspects such as whether the person selling the property is the owner or if there are any debts or liens, fraud can be avoided.
Next, the cadastral status of the land must be checked and a certificate requested. We can find:
- Descriptive and graphic certificates: those that contain legal, economic, physical data…
- Literal certificates: these contain alphanumeric data about the land, such as ownership, location, cadastral value, etc.
Another important step is to carry out a geotechnical study to check the subsoil of the land. The final value of the land can be affected by between 5% and 20%, depending on the results of this study.
Applying for the cédula urbanística (urban planning certificate) is to find out if the land is suitable for development. This step is requested at the town hall. Depending on the type of land, the land will meet certain conditions and characteristics to see if it is possible to build on it:
- Urban land: It is included in the urban planning of a place.
- Non-urbanisable land: it has the protection that makes it unsuitable for construction.
- Land for development: it will become urban land when the transformation is completed.
With all the documents already in our possession, we must check that everything is in order and that it coincides with the title deed of the land that the owner has given us. It is necessary to check that the owner is up to date with the payment of municipal taxes.
NOT SEEKING HELP
Another of the most common mistakes made when buying a plot of land is not consulting architects and experts in the sector beforehand.
Having professionals will help you to:
- Plan and define the building process.
- They will not make you fall into other common mistakes
- Perceive different types of situations that may arise during the building work. This will save you time and money
- They are in charge of monitoring and controlling the project to check that it is being done well.
NOT TAKING EXTERNAL FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT
When starting the construction of a house, we must take into account the factors that do not depend on us. Many people, in the excitement of starting to build their house, make this mistake too late.
The building work can be delayed for reasons such as wind, rain, etc. We have to take into account when we are going to start the construction.
If the land is in an area where it is likely to rain, avoid building in the winter months.
GOING CHEAP
This is one of the most common mistakes. Many people look for a cheap architect or builder, as well as choosing the cheapest materials on the market to save as much as possible. However, sometimes cheap can be expensive.
If you have a limited budget when it comes to starting a new home, it can be increased a little if you find materials that suit your tastes. Moreover, thanks to the latest technologies, quality materials can be found at competitive prices.
What you need to do is to search and compare budgets. Touch and look at qualities. Doing this work will save you money on building materials.
FORGETTING VENTILATION OF AREAS OF THE HOUSE
No matter how small or large the house is, one of the most important factors for every room is that it is ventilated. Rooms such as the bathroom or the kitchen, where humidity can appear more, it is crucial to have a window to expel the vapour so that the furniture and walls are not affected.
