Stressful? Confusing? Time-sapping? We understand how tough buying a home can be, especially for first time buyers! That’s why we’ve compiled a step by step first time buyers guide to help you understand what is involved from start to finish. Using our guide you’ll be informed, ready and willing to get started on your journey to buying your first home!
Understand the costs of buying a house
The most important step to owning a home is understanding what you can afford to buy. The actual cost of buying a house or a flat goes well beyond the asking price. You’ll need to consider a range of additional expenses, from solicitor to removal fees. This article will help you create a realistic plan […]
Choosing an area to live in
Once you understand your affordability, the exciting part of owning a home can begin 😊 Finding your dream home should be a fun journey – and knowing what you are looking for will make it much easier! Break your home-buying criteria into 2 stages: finding the right area finding the right property What to look […]
Finding a property
Finding a property can prove a never ending task. If you haven’t narrowed down which areas you want to live in, you’d best get that out of the way first. Settled on an area already? Time to start house-hunting. Get the ball rolling by focusing on your own needs! Think of and write down features […]
Making an offer on a house
On average, first time home buyers view roughly 8-10 homes before finding their dream home and making an offer on a house. Our team suggests making a shortlist of the top 3 properties you’d like to explore further and view these again before proceeding. Viewing the properties at different times and with a friend or […]
Property searches and surveys
You’ve found your dream home, what’s next? Once your formal offer is accepted, you’ll need to contact a legal professional (conveyancer or solicitor) and a surveyor. They will perform what’s known as property searches and surveys respectively. Property Searches A legal professional will perform checks with local authorities other parties regarding the property. The local authority […]
Applying for a mortgage
Applying for a mortgage means a lot of paperwork. At this stage, you will need to provide important information on your employment status, financial history, as well as a proof of identity and address. If the solicitor and surveyor checks come back issue-free, and the price is confirmed, your broker will make the application for […]
Finalising the mortgage, exchange of contracts & completion
If your mortgage application is successful, the lender will provide you with a formal offer. Once accepted, the broker will finalise and complete the setup of the mortgage. Normally this will come with an arrangement fee payable to both the broker and lender. You’ll then exchange contracts with the seller to complete the sale. You […]
The only A-Z glossary of property jargon you need
The home buying journey is already confusing enough. It doesn’t help that there seems to be an entire language to learn to make sure you understand all the documents you are reviewing and the conversations you are having along the way. Here is a beginner-friendly glossary to help guide you and clear up some of […]
Credit score: What is it and how to check it
The credit score, one of the key pieces of the mortgage application puzzle that you need to maintain. So what exactly is it, who is scoring it and what can you do to keep this score high? What is a credit score? Your credit score is a number, typically between 300 and 850, and is […]
10 ways to improve your credit score
There is still hope! Your credit score is one of the key pieces of information that a mortgage lender will review before they approve your application. Don’t let a poor credit score hold you back from affording your dream home! Plan ahead and read these tips to help you reach a shiny credit score in […]
