Before you do anything, check out these questions, so you’re best prepared to make the right decision.
Location?
Are you happy to relocate or do you want to stay in the area you’re in already?
What's your budget?
Remember to ensure that you have considered additional costs such as solicitor fees, stamp duty and surveyor's fees. You’ll also need to consider just how much you’ll need to spend on things like furniture.
See our Stamp Duty page to work out how much to allow for.
What are your requirements?
It might be helpful to make a list of what you are looking for in your prospective new home: apartment or house, how many bedrooms, whether you want a garden or need to be close to a railway station or motorway.
Mortage sorted?
First thing, meet with a mortgage advisor or a financial advisor and discuss how much you can put down as a deposit and what you’ll need to borrow. Then, you can see what you can afford and have it sorted before beginning your search for a new home.
Got your conveyancer and solicitor?
Find yourself a company specialising in conveyancing and ensure you find out what that will cost before agreeing to anything. They’ll need details of the property and the developer and may also need your mortgage lenders details.
Found a surveyor?
Make sure your survey company comes well-recommended. As with the solicitors, get a cost before agreeing to hire them.
A few questions to ask when viewing a property
• What’s the area like? Speak to neighbours, visit at night as well as day.
• Where’s the nearest school, convenience store, petrol station etc?
• What’s the public transport like? Is parking easy? Are there cycle paths?
• What is the neighbourhood like? Safe for kids? Any playgrounds?
• Does the house have gas or electricity or both? Is broadband available?
• How much on average will you spend on Council Tax, electricity, water?
• Do you have to pay any maintenance fees on the property?