Search for property in the Christchurch area

Do your homework on Christchurch

Whether you're thinking of buying a Christchurch property, renting a place to live in Christchurch, selling or letting a property in Christchurch 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 Christchurch property, typical Christchurch rents, popular neighbourhoods in the Christchurch area, facilities in Christchurch itself or nearby towns. Christchurch estate agents are a rich source of property information, so it's helpful to contact as many estate agents in the Christchurch region as possible.

When researching the Christchurch property market, it's useful, too, to make comparisons with different areas in and around Christchurch. How do properties in Purewell compare with houses or flats in Wick or Tuckton, for example? Are property prices higher in Southbourne or Stanpit? Do properties sell more easily on the outskirts or in the suburbs of Christchurch or in central Christchurch? Do tenants need to rent flats in central Christchurch or houses in Purewell?

Property choices in Christchurch

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

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

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

Taking the next steps in Christchurch

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

When viewing properties in the Christchurch 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 Christchurch or the Christchurch area.

Before selling or letting a property, get three valuations from estate agents in Christchurch. Compare these with the market information you've gained so far. Decide on the most realistic price for selling or letting in Christchurch, 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 Christchurch estate agents, letting agents and other sources in the Christchurch region.

Searching by postcode or nearby areas

If you're looking for property to rent or buy in Christchurch, you might also want to search for property in BH23, BH6, BH7 or BH5. Alternatively, if you're interested in renting or buying property near to the Christchurch area, you may also like to consider the following nearby places: Purewell, Wick, Tuckton, Southbourne and Stanpit

Searching by estate agent

Get in touch with at least three Christchurch estate agents. Estate agents in the Christchurch area that you could ask for a valuation include Dimensions in Boscombe, Homes & Steeple in Bournemouth, McKinlays in Bournemouth and Premier Estate Agents in Charminster. All these estate agents have property for sale and property to let in the Christchurch area and know the market well. Here's a fuller list of estate agents in the Christchurch area: Dimensions in Boscombe, Homes & Steeple in Bournemouth, McKinlays in Bournemouth, Premier Estate Agents in Charminster, Bournemouth Flat Company in Bournemouth, Allan & Bath in Bournemouth, St. Quintin & McConnell in Bournemouth Town Centre, Blake & Blake in Winton, Clarkes Estate Agents in Bournemouth, Chiswell & Webb in Bournemouth

Tips for finding your perfect home

Whether you are interested in property to buy in Christchurch or property to rent in Christchurch, 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 Dorset.

What would your perfect Christchurch home look like?

Before you begin looking at properties for sale in Christchurch or properties to let in Christchurch, 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 Christchurch? Ground floor or Penthouse apartments in Christchurch? Bungalow or Chalet-style Christchurch house?

Parking: Garage, off-road parking, Christchurch 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 Christchurch, the three most important things to consider when choosing a property in Christchurch are location, location and location. If you are searching for a property in Christchurch 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 Christchurch neighbourhood needs to be considered with care.

• Drive around the areas of Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch schools in the area and ask for a list of their catchment roads.

Christchurch Estate Agents

Every Estate Agent in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.s Estate Agents as possible sending you details of the latest available properties in Christchurch as they come in. (Remember that Southernpropertyfinder.com makes it easy to contact all of the local Christchurch Estate Agents listed on the site .in one go. via email). If you have any specific requirements, let the Christchurch 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 Christchurch compare to Wick and Purewell? 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 Christchurch, 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 Christchurch property market!

When it comes to selecting an Estate Agent in Christchurch to represent you, don't go by the valuation price alone. Ask how the Estate Agent will be working to sell your Christchurch property; how much local property advertising they invest in Christchurch property sales; whether they promote their portfolio through their own website or Christchurch property portals (such as this one); what is the market like for property sales in Christchurch; 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 Christchurch, ask how much local property advertising they invest in Christchurch property lettings and Christchurch property rental.