You’ve decided you want to buy a house and get onto the property ladder, but you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry, Bradshaw Farnham & Lea are here to help! We’ve put together 5 steps you can take to help make the process of buying your first home as smooth as possible.
1. Figure Out What Your Budget Is
Before you start looking at all the properties that are on the market, it’s a good idea to have a sit down and get a rough estimate of what you budget is going to be. We’d all love to have the multi-million pound houses in our budget but realistically for most of us, they won’t be our first homes, so making sure you’re looking at properties you can afford is a great place to start.
When it comes to figuring out what you can afford you’ll need to be realistic. There will be costs to consider, such as legal fees, surveying costs, deposits and so on, so make sure you take those things into account when you’re working out your budget.
Speaking to a mortgage advisor is a key at this stage. They can walk you through the costs involved, look at your incomings and outgoings and help to find the right mortgage deal to fit your budget, making sure it suits your lifestyle.
Mortgages and property go hand-in-hand which is why at Bradshaw Farnham & Lea Wirral Estate Agents, we work closely with RightClick Finance. They are Mortgage Brokers and first-time buyer Mortgage Specialists, helping buyers with expert advice and guiding them on how to get their dream home.
2. Start Saving
As you would’ve found out by now, buying a house can be quite expensive so it’s a good idea to start saving your money early. If you ask anyone who’s purchased their first home they’ll tell you that one of the biggest costs was the deposit that’s put towards the cost of the property. On average, you need at least 5% to 20% of the property purchase price, for example £12,500 to £50,000 when buying a £250,000 home. So whether it’s cutting down on the dinners out or finding something that you already have in your closet instead of buying something new, the sooner you start saving, the better!
3. Use an Experienced Estate Agent
Here at Bradshaw Farnham & Lea, we can help you navigate the home-buying process and find properties that meet your needs and budget. With four offices across the Wirral, we are one of the most successful Wirral estate agents and have a stellar team of experienced property professionals that can succeed in helping you get onto the property ladder.
Some additional reasons to work with us are:
- Access to off-market properties: Some sellers may not list their homes online, but instead work with us to sell their homes privately to our database. Therefore, we can give you access to these off-market properties.
- Friendly Helpful Teams: We understand how exciting looking for your first home is, but there can be lots of questions in terms of how the process works and what happens at each stage. Having friendly approachable teams on hand to support you through the journey makes the world of difference!
- Local knowledge: Our teams live locally and know their patch! We will be familiar with the desired area you are hoping to move to and can provide invaluable insight into local schools, amenities, and market trends.
4. Start Viewing!
Once you have an understanding of the area you’d like to live in and the kind of budget you have to spend, start booking some viewings!
Firstly, register on our mailing list with the details of what you’re looking for and we will start sending your details of all the properties that match what you’re looking for.
Being registered on our system also means that as soon as we take on any new properties that might be suitable, we’ll get in touch and make sure you know about them asap so if they sound good, you can book a viewing!
Getting inside properties can give you a real feel for a house, and whether you could see it becoming your first home!
5. Don’t Rush Into Anything
Buying a house will probably be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make in your life so it’s important not to rush into anything. It’s a big decision you’re making so take your time and make sure you’re comfortable and informed every step of the way, and of course, we will always be right here to help if you need it!
If you are looking to relocate, purchase or just need some friendly advice about a property in The Wirral, we’d love for you to get in touch with us, click here to find your local Bradshaw Farnham & Lea Estate Agency branch.
