| Buying a house is one of the most important | | | | newspapers and search for properties online. This will |
| purchases you will make and buying a home for the | | | | give you an idea as to what's out there; will help you |
| first time can be a very stressful experience. By | | | | find out what you like and how prices compare. |
| following these top ten tips for buying a home for | | | | 6. Take an experienced home buyer with you. |
| the first time, you can remove much of the stress | | | | Someone who has bought before will help you pick |
| and avoid making an expensive mistake. | | | | up things you might miss and make sure you ask the |
| 1. Work out how much you can afford. It is one of | | | | right questions. |
| the first questions any estate agent will ask. Most | | | | 7. View more than once. Viewing a property at a |
| mortgage providers have repayment calculators to | | | | different time on a different day will help you ensure |
| help you work out what your mortgage repayments | | | | that you see your new home in all possible lights and |
| might be but don't forget to include items such as | | | | that you don't miss anything such as traffic noise or |
| legal costs, stamp duty, the costs of moving and | | | | other factors which might spoil your enjoyment of |
| furnishing for your new home. | | | | the property. |
| 2. Shop around for the best mortgage deal. | | | | 8. Negotiate hard. When you have found the place |
| Mortgages come in all shapes and sizes. To ensure | | | | you want to buy, be ready to negotiate hard. As a |
| you get best deal on a mortgage, it is always best | | | | first time buyer you are in a strong position. No chain. |
| to use an independent mortgage broker. Alternatively | | | | Use this to your advantage to offer lower than the |
| use a price comparison web site to obtain a better | | | | asking price. |
| understanding of the market overall. | | | | 9. Check the property is sound. You will need a |
| 3. Work out what kind of home you want. Do you | | | | valuation but it is always wise to pay a little extra for |
| want a flat or a house? How many bedrooms? | | | | a more detailed survey to highlight any minor or |
| Obvious though this may seem, may first time | | | | indeed major problems with the structure. You can |
| buyers struggle to understand the implications of the | | | | use any negatives identified to negotiate a better |
| different forms of accommodation, with variances in | | | | price. |
| costs between locations in many cases bringing all | | | | 10. Always use a solicitor. It will cost but you can |
| types into the equation. | | | | shop around. Remember that this is the biggest |
| 4. Location, location, location. Think about where you | | | | purchase you are likely to ever make and it is |
| want to buy. You will need to consider transport links | | | | important to make sure it is handled correctly so that |
| and schools and remember that even if you don't | | | | you end up properly owning the home you want. |
| need schools now, property in a popular school | | | | The road to buying a property rarely goes according |
| catchment area makes property far more saleable. | | | | to plan but by following these tips should make the |
| 5. Look at as many properties as possible. Get in | | | | journey less troublesome and a little less stressed. |
| touch with local estate agents, look in local | | | | Good luck. |