There is no better feeling than buying your first home. It’s a life achievement that some people have spent years working towards. It’s the most exciting time of your life, and it’s one you’ll never forget.
However, since it is your first time buying, it’s likely you’ll have some questions. Like how do you increase the chances of getting your offer accepted? What does the perfect home look like?
Well, worry no more. We have helped hundreds of first-time buyers to get on the property ladder, and we’ve helped answer all their questions and anxieties.
Using this experience, we have created a short guide. A guide that covers everything you need to know before buying your first home.
Think About the Future
Before you sign up to Rightmove, it’s important to think about what you really want. That’s not just what you want right now, but what you’re going to want in the next five years.
For example, if you’re young free and single, then an apartment in the city sounds like a dream come true. But, if you’re planning on meeting someone and having kids, you’ll soon grow out of it.
If you want a family in the near future, then buy something that has enough space to accommodate those extra sets of feet. If it doesn’t have the room now, then can you convert the loft or build an extension closer to the time?
What other plans do you have? If you plan to pass your driving test, then buy a property with parking. If you want to move jobs, then pick a home which has easy transport links to major towns and cities. If you are working remotely, then pick a property which has room for an office, or you’ll soon grow tired from working from the kitchen!
Write down your needs and then write down your wants. Now do the same again, but write down what you’ll want and need five years from now. Doing this before viewing houses means you’ll know what to look for and be able to choose a home that you can stay in for years to come.
Scan The Portals
Good properties sell quickly. You need to move fast if you want to buy one you love.
Call every agent in your local area. Ask to be registered on their system. Using your list of wants and needs, tell them about the type of home you’re looking for. Be as specific as you can. Then, once the agent lists a house that matches your requirements, they’ll contact you right away.
Register yourself on Rightmove and Zoopla. Like estate agents, these systems will email you the moment a house comes on the market that fits your criteria.
The more specific you are, the less spam you’ll get. The less spam you get, the more likely you are to be hot on the trigger when an email comes through!
Get a Mortgage in Principle
People play the chicken and egg game when it comes to mortgages. What comes first? The house or the finance?
The answer is finance.
Many homebuyers miss out on their dream home because they haven’t got a mortgage in principle. Sellers don’t want to wait for you to get these documents, so they’ll sell to someone who already has the papers in place to say they can afford to buy.
Having a mortgage offer also gives you a budget. You might be able to afford more than you think, so this opens the door to homes that you previously thought were out of your reach.
In short, a mortgage in principle will speed up the buying process and make your life a whole lot easier.
Prepare for The Purchase of a Lifetime
A free conversation with us is enough to secure you a mortgage in principle. With this in place, you’ll know exactly what you can afford, and you’ll be ready to make an offer on your first home. Estate agents will take you more seriously, and you’ll have a higher chance of having your offer accepted.
Book your free chat today by clicking here. We can’t wait to help you take your first step onto the property ladder.
