How a short-term apartment can help you look for a permanent home

Buying houses in London can be a lengthy procedure, but if you need to move immediately there is a good alternative option – renting an apartment on a short-term basis.

Relocating to the capital is something thousands of people choose to do every year. The city is a hub for a number of major industries and the career opportunities on offer are often too good to turn down.

But in order to take up that new job you will have to move quickly and the notice period in your current employment contract is unlikely to be long enough for you to identify a house you want to buy in London, let alone complete the process of purchasing it and moving in.

You could choose to stay in a hotel or guest house for a few months, but that is an expensive option and will never seem like home. To avoid this it is a good idea to look at the short-term lets available in London.

There are a host of good properties available to rent in the capital, whether you are looking for a studio or an apartment big enough for a family to live in. Approach a specialist letting agency and you are likely to find they have a number of vacant properties that you can move into immediately.

Taking this approach to your relocation has several advantages, particularly if you are unfamiliar with London. As well as allowing you to move at relatively short notice, it will give you all the time you need to find the ideal permanent residence.

Buying property in London is expensive and you will not want to make a mistake on location. The obvious places to look first are areas close to your new workplace, as being within walking distance of the office will save you a lot of money on transport costs. But, you may discover after being there for a few weeks that it is not a borough where you want to live long term.

Renting serviced apartments in London when you first move will allow you the opportunity to give the area a test drive before you make a final decision about whether you want to live there full time. Consider issues like how good the shops are, what there is to do in the evening and how quiet it is.

But as buying a home in the capital is likely to be the largest financial outlay of your life, it is well worth taking the time to consider how it works as an investment. Do some research to discover whether there are plans for anything that will drive property values up in the long term – such as new transport links or office developments – and give you the opportunity to make a profit.

Before making a final decision about where you wish to buy a house, make sure you take a look at a variety of areas. You may well discover that districts you currently know nothing about have all the amenities you need, as well as lower property prices or greater potential. If you already have a comfortable rented apartment to stay in, there is no rush to make a choice until you have done your research.

Once you have identified whereabouts in London you wish to live, you can set about finding the right property. This can be a lengthy process, but if you have no need to hurry it, you can wait for your dream house to come on to the market and until the vendor arranges their own move.