Buying your first home can be daunting, confusing and complicated. It is important that you try to get your head around the process of buying a property, in order to make the whole experience as simple as possible.
At Hamptons our experts are experienced with helping buyers no matter how many times they have bought in the past, we are here to hold your hand and guide you through the process as much as you need.
If you are just starting to think about buying your first home, take a look at our six top tips on how to prepare yourself.
1) Speak to a mortgage advisor
Before you even start looking at properties online, our advice would be to speak to a mortgage expert. It can be really disappointing to look at properties that you later find out you just can’t afford. And, working out your mortgage before you start looking means that you are prepared if you do stumble upon a property you fall in love with.
Our mortgage partners Capital Private Finance are a great place to start to discuss your mortgage.
2) Ask questions
No question is a silly one! As you move through the buying process for the first time, you are bound to have questions about what is happening and what the next step is. Speak to your estate agent and property lawyers to help guide you through. To ensure you cover all bases before making your first property purchase, we've compiled a list of crucial questions to ask before buying a house. Be sure to go through it thoroughly before making a commitment.
You’ll need a property lawyer who can help you to help guide you through the process and keep you updated. Our conveyancing partners Country and Capital might be the perfect people to help your move happen.
3) Do the maths
The cost of buying a home doesn’t just include your deposit and monthly mortgage payments, make sure you take into consideration stamp duty and moving costs as well. And, when working out what you can realistically afford, you might also want to consider if you need to carry out any work on the property and how much that will cost, or if you live in a flat there could also be service charges and ground rent that that you need to take into consideration.
4) Research all the options
It is worth looking into Government schemes such as help to buy and shared ownership. These schemes might help you get onto the property ladder, and give you support that you need.
Find out about Shared Ownership.
5) Rely on others
Speaking to family and friends can help you to decide what is right for you. It is worth talking through everything with other people. Your friends and family know you and your lifestyle best, so whether it comes to the style of property or financial concerns they will probably be able to offer you the best advice. And, it can help to speak to friends who have already gone through the process and get their tips!
6) Don’t rush the process
Buying any new home is a big decision, but your first is a major life stage. It can be really easy to see a property that you love and rush into making a decision. But, we advise taking a step back, ensuring your requirements are met and following the above steps to make sure in the long run you are happy with your decision. And, taking another person to see your ned home before going through with anything could help, they might spot features that you haven’t!
And we have even selected our favourite homes that would be perfect for first time buyers that we have on the market right now.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in making a move this year, get in touch with your local branch who can answer all of your questions.
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