Are you considering buying your first home? Don’t know where to start or even look? Look no further, here is some advice on what to do.
Being a first-time buyer can be scary, we have been there. There are so many questions in your head you need answering, not sure where to go to get answers and most importantly the property market is a whole new world. When we were looking for my first property we wish there was maybe a go-to person or sites where we could have got some answers to questions and most importantly be jargon-free.
We had a lovely newly married couple from Birmingham pop into our branch recently and they were looking to buying their first home as recently married, renting and looking to grow their family. Straight away we had a connection as it reminded us back when we first started, how scared and frightened they were to buy a house as they were unsure of what to do. We first welcomed them and built a nice report and connection that they felt comfortable and saw the shy of relief on their face.
So for all of you, others out there looking to buy your first house here are our simple 6 steps to help you get on to the property ladder, simple and property jargon-free.
- Start saving as soon as you can
It may seem like an impossible dream and probably the most obvious thing to do but start saving for your dream home as soon as you can. We suggest you start putting aside a set sum into your savings every month from early on, then you’ll reach your goal sooner.
- Speak to a mortgage adviser
If you have not already done so, first sit down and speak to a mortgage adviser, they will help you to look at your income, debts you have, your deposit, and make an assessment on how much you can borrow. Rather than going away and finding someone, here at Soul Estates we make it easier for all our first-time buyers, so you can sit down with our in-house mortgage adviser for a FREE initial first consultation.
It is VERY important to do this at the start of your house hunt, to make sure your search is realistic. Get yourself a mortgage offer in principle, this will show sellers that your finances are already in place and that you’re an attractive buyer, making you that one step closer to getting your first home.
- Research is key
Make sure you’ve thoroughly researched which areas you can afford to buy in, and the type of property in your budget before you start looking. There is nothing worse than starting your search and falling in love with the first property to find out later it is out of your budget.
- Make sure all your paperwork ready to go
Once you have found your dream home, have an offer accepted, you’ll need to submit various bits of paperwork to get the process moving. Make sure you’ve got copies of your ID and utility bills with your name on, as you’ll need to share them with the estate agent. Another tip, make sure you are also ready to start the mortgage process and instruct a solicitor.
- Be patient
We all know that house purchases very rarely stick to the expected time frames, so don’t get your hopes up that a house will complete within 4-6 weeks. It might take you several months to find your ideal home, and then the exchange can take a while as well. Don’t forget this is probably one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make in your lifetime, so it’s important not to rush it, BE PATIENT!
- Work with a reliable estate agent
Once started your house search, also make sure you work with a reliable estate agent. Any reliable agent will ensure you’re making a realistic offer, and they will help and support you and keep you informed every step of the way. Also keeping in mind showing you properties that suit your criteria and budget.
These are simple steps for first-time buyers. Like we said it can be scary, so go find yourself a reliable agent to ease this pressure and that will help you every step of the way.
If you’re looking for your first home, then we’d love to have a chat with you. Call the office on 0121 647 6779 for a chat.
Mandeep & Sahib
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0121 647 6779
