Welcome back First Time Buyers, this is part 2 of a four-part blog series, written to guide you through the house-buying process.
Part 2 covers finding your first home and making an offer…
Find a property
- Contacting estate agents and registering your property criteria – this is free and won’t create any obligation on your part. Registering with an estate agent will ensure that you are kept up-to-date with any new properties that come to the market. In some cases, this can be before they go live on property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Boomin. We always recommend registering with estate agents who sell the most in the areas you wish to live in.
- Searching on websites such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Boomin for available properties and then arranging to view them in person. To do this effectively, you can create an account and set up property alerts to match a chosen criteria. If you find a property you like, call the estate agent directly! – They will already have your contact information, criteria and may have already financially qualified you.
To view our available properties, please click here.
Book a viewing
Once you have found a suitable property, your next step is to view it! This is enjoyable and exciting, but remember to ask lots of questions and to take someone else along for a second opinion. You might want to ask the estate agent if you are allowed to take photo’s to refer back to, or you might want to book a second viewing if you are interested. We would also recommend exploring the surrounding area of the property, this will give you a feel for the street and the local amenities.
Make an offer
Contact a Solicitor
Apply for a mortgage
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll need to discuss what type of mortgage you want to apply for with your mortgage broker.
Most lenders will offer a 25, 30 or 35-year mortgage term (depending on many factors, including age). You’ll want to complete your mortgage application as soon as possible to avoid delays, which your mortgage broker will arrange for you. Visit Which for more information: Mortgage types Explained – Which?
