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Are you dreaming of the day you pick up the keys to your first home? Are you desperate to get on the property ladder but not sure how? It can be difficult to make that first move.
If you don’t know where to start, our top tips from beresfords estate agents will help give you the extra boost you need to own your first property.
1. Can You Start Saving? If You Can, Do It!
Start saving for a deposit and the costs of moving as soon as possible. The average deposit needed for a first property is around £45,000, which seems out of reach for many people. But if you start saving regularly by putting a proportion of your earnings aside each month, you will get ever closer to your deposit goal. There are also government products and schemes that help first-time buyers save for a house.
2. Work Out Your Budget With a Mortgage Adviser
Understand how much you can borrow by talking with a mortgage adviser. They will work out the figure by looking at your income, your debt, your outgoings and your deposit. By checking this early in the process, you will have a better idea where you can search and what kind of properties are within your reach. You don’t want to fall in love with a house only to discover it is outside your budget.
3. Get Paperwork Ready to Go
As you are looking around properties and deciding on your dream purchase, collect together all the paperwork you need to present to your estate agent. This includes ID, copies of bills, your mortgage paperwork, etc.
4. Don’t Rush It
Be patient, as buying a house rarely runs to schedule. Don’t panic if the expected time frame is not met. You may take much longer to find your dream home and this is a good thing – you need to know you will be absolutely happy with your purchase. Keep in mind that as a first-time buyer you have no chain, so the purchase process should be slightly easier.
5. If at First You Don’t Succeed…
Don’t feel disheartened if the property of your dreams slips through your fingers or there are other problems that make the purchase impossible. Keep looking widely and be confident that the ideal house or flat is just around the corner. Think about what is essential in a property and what could be compromised on. If you have too many demands it may be difficult to find your first home within your budget.
6. Work With an Experienced Agent
Make the process less stressful and more successful by working with an experienced and professional estate agent. You can get tips and ideas on where to look for your perfect home and get advice on how to find an ideal property. Experienced agents will tell you when your offer is realistic and will show you the properties that suit your budget and your search criteria.
