The Sorting Hat 

Now that the election is over Nick Churton from Mayfair Office gives some timely property buying advice…..

Many of us know about the Sorting Hat at J K Rowling's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When a new student puts on the hat it tells him or her to which of the four houses - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin - they are most suited.

Well a property is just like the Sorting Hat. It's as if it instinctively knows whether it's right for you - and you for it. All you have to do is listen carefully to the conversation the property is having with your inner self.

This is important, as you don't want to be put in the wrong house. You want to be somewhere which fits your personality, as well as your pocket and your spatial needs.

Of course every now and then even Sorting Hats can become a bit confused by the choice. Just look at what the British electorate Sorting Hat has done with the 2017 general election! It may have to have another go sooner rather than later. Yes there are many things to be confused about, especially in property. And it's not just about finding the right home for you. What about the market? Then there's Brexit, the economy, schools, transport, mortgages and even the neighbours. And what about prices – are they going up or down? When is the right time to buy?

But the right home can magically make many of these concerns disappear. That is because, apart from our families and ourselves, our homes are one of the most important things in our lives. Our homes protect and nurture us. They keep us warm. They keep us secure. They inspire us. Why do we become homesick when we are away for too long? When we are away we like to create a home-from-home and find somewhere that is homely. We have home thoughts and like home cooking. We certainly like home comforts. When we look for somewhere to live we home in on a place that we can call home-sweet-home, for our home is our castle.

Yes the property market is important. But more so is belonging to the right house. So this weekend why not forget the general election and Brexit negotiations for a while. Go and try on a house and let it tell you if you should move or not.