Finding a home: top tips for neurodivergent folk

Finding the perfect home is not easy and can be overwhelming for anyone. But for neurodivergent people, there may be an added layer of stress. 

If you’re neurodivergent, there are many things you can do in advance to make finding a home more enjoyable and less stressful. Here’s what we recommend.

Familiarising yourself with the potential area is always a good starting point and it’s one you can do from the comfort of your sofa. 

Using a map app or website to travel and explore where you’re thinking of moving allows you to get an idea of whether it’s the right area or not. 

While nothing can beat an actual house viewing, considering the area around the potential home beforehand is really important. 

Make a list of all the things you would like or dislike in an area and start ticking them off as you research to see if the location meets your needs. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Does the house have public transport and how frequently does it run? 

• Do you want to be near things like cinemas, restaurants or pubs? 

• Do you get overwhelmed by loud noises? If so, living near a busy road might not be a good fit.

Before viewing the property, think about what environments make you feel the most comfortable. If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed when there are lots of people around, ask if you can arrange a private or virtual tour instead of attending an open house. This will give you the space to focus solely on the property. 

The next step is to ask yourself what type of place you’re interested in: do you want something you can move into instantly? Or would you prefer a property that’s more of a renovation project? Keep that in mind when viewing.

Remember, there are things you can change about the house if you decide to buy it, so don’t let that put you off. As long as you factor these changes into your budget, you can get rid of things like carpets or curtains pretty easily, so they don’t have to be dealbreakers. 

However, if certain aspects of the home are causing sensory overload and they’re not things that can be easily changed before or after you move in, it might be worth reconsidering. 

It’s important to remind yourself that you don’t have to make a decision straight away. If you’re someone who takes more time to process an environment, arrange to visit the property more than once.

And you don’t have to do the viewing process on your own. If there is a family or friend who you think will help make you feel comfortable, invite them along. They can offer emotional support and help you in deciding whether the space fits your needs.

Visiting a new area can be extremely tiring. If you struggle to manage your energy levels, make sure you have an appropriate amount of time after a viewing to recuperate. 

Following these steps can help reframe the home-finding experience from one that feels pretty daunting to an exciting one.