Location Location Location

Moving to the country? Consider very carefully the three most important factors...

Any estate agent will tell you that the three most important things to consider when buying a new home are 'location, location, location'. There are a host of other things to take into account when buying your next home but few are as significant as the location. You can alter nearly everything about your new home except where it is (caravan owners can smugly grin at this point).

That's not to say however that the location will never change. As a child I lived on a large housing estate in the Midlands. Across the road from our house was a perfect little country cottage, isolated when built, but now at least 20mins. drive from the countryside swallowed up by the ever expanding industrial conurbation.

Look out for new residential developments in the area, a sure sign that there is a demand for properties (developers are no fools). The larger the development the more you should be concerned.

If your area is designated as a 'conservation area' it can be a significant bonus but it's always as well to find out just where the boundaries of the area are. It's not that comforting to live in a conservation area when at the bottom of your garden the boundary ends and 500 new homes and a radish peeling plant are due to be built next Tuesday.

Whilst looking at the ever expanding housing estate you may well smile at the irony of your garage extension and double glazing installation being turned down again because you live in a conservation area. Then again you may not!

Being sited in the middle of any protected area is a real bonus but this is not necessarily the case on the edge of these areas.

The countryside is notorious for its poor transportation links. Give some thought to how you are going to get around. Most larger villages will have some form of public transportation available but it can be very infrequent. Regrettably more sensible is having enough cars in your family so that you are independent and mobile. The next best option is a community service where good neighbours help each other out. Ask if any such schemes are in operation.

Probably of more importance to you is the time it takes to get to local services and motorways. Be disciplined with your road map, draw a coloured dot on the village and just check how far it is to the nearest town and motorway junction. You may not be bothered about the latter but the person you sell to could be.

Spend some time in the area. Go for a walk on a Saturday through the village and drive through at night. Closing time at the village pub on a Friday can be a telling time!

So the rule is: location location location. Three simple words that make up some very good advice.