PHOTO: 123RF – Will you have the time and inclination to maintain a garden, or will you prefer a smaller property with less land to look after? Do you want to build or buy somewhere to do up?

OPINION: It’s funny how everyone is an expert when it comes to giving advice on buying or selling property, even though most people only do it a handful of times in their lives. I can well imagine how confusing it must be, especially when you’re doing it from a distance.

​Buying a home is the biggest financial transaction that most people ever make and it’s not something to rush. While it’s fun to get excited about the fun parts of home ownership, there are some big things to figure out first.

It’s not as glamorous as adding ideas to your Pinterest mood boards, but thinking about your long-term goals is crucial.

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