guide to Buying Property

• Chat to a Mortgage Advisor

Chat to a Mortgage Advisor, such as the friendly team at Connect Financial Solutions, to work out precisely what you can and can't afford. Together you can work out how much you can pay towards your deposit, then how much you can afford to borrow to pay back monthly once purchased. Keep in mind the extra costs of purchasing a home, with property maintenance, furnishings and, more importantly, tax such as stamp duty.

• Consider looking in a different neighbourhoods

Different areas will offer varying sizes that may come with differing price points. Searching in a new location will add a fresh batch of properties you might not even have considered.

• Do your research

It's important to thoroughly research areas where the properties are most to your liking, taking schools, transport/commuter links and local amenities into consideration.

• Be realistic

Try to be realistic about your expectations and pin down what you need before attending viewings - knowing precisely what you need, whether a bigger garden or an extra bedroom, is crucial in managing your expectations and attaining your end goal.

• Start searching

At Redbrik, we've made finding a home easier than ever. By letting us know what you're looking for, we can assist you by letting you know first which properties we have that might be of interest to you. Register as a buyer with us to be in the know about properties you'll love.

• Book some viewings

Viewing properties is a really exciting step; here's when the dream starts to become a reality! Our friendly team of experts can help guide you with what to look out for at the property.

• Picture it

Imagining what will be in each room is key for getting a feel of whether the property is the right size for you. Picturing where your TV will sit, your home office or a new baby's nursery is an excellent way of ensuring the property is the right fit.

• Place your offer

You'll need to finalise your mortgage agreement in principle with your lender, then call the agent marketing the property to place your offer. Being accepted will depend on your finances as well as what the seller is happy with in terms of price and the buyer’s situation. If your offer is accepted, you'll need proof of ID, proof of your current address, payment slips from the last three months, your most recent P60 and information about any of your credit commitments, like student loans or credit card statements, to send off your mortgage application to your lender.

• Make sure everything's sound

After applying for your mortgage, the surveying and conveyancing processes can begin. Surveying involves the mortgage lender taking a look at the property to ensure it is a worthwhile investment, taking things like structural issues into account. You may also want to have a survey done by an independent body, just for peace of mind. Conveyancing requires you to appoint a solicitor, where the legal ownership of the property is transferred. Take a look at our A-Z of Sales jargon buster to read more about conveyancing and more.

• Exchange contracts & insure the house

Once your mortgage has been approved, and your solicitor has signed off on your surveying, you then exchange contracts with the seller to legally transfer ownership of the property. Home insurance is also essential at this point to ensure peace of mind in your new home against any damages like flooding or theft.

• Completion and move in!

Now is the most exciting part - the sale completes, you collect your keys and the home is yours! Moving house is a significant milestone, and to make it easier, be sure to use a trustworthy removals company, such as Bramwell Relocation, to help you out.

Everyone’s experience is different though, so it’s a good idea to be clued up on buying in your own situation. Take a look at our other handy guides below for more in-depth advice.