Get Financially Qualified: Ensure you’re financially qualified and set a budget. If you need a mortgage to purchase your property, we’d advise that you’re financially qualified and that you set a budget before looking at properties. By doing this you will know approximately how much you can borrow and also what your monthly repayment costs will be. To get financially qualified, you will need to arrange a mortgage in principal with a mortgage provider (i.e. with a bank or building society).
You can contact banks and building societies directly, or to make things easier you can speak to our independent financial advisor based in our office in Bordon free of charge. Our advisor is updated on a daily basis with the latest deals and rates and can compare hundreds of different mortgages and rates on your behalf and help you make the decision that is right for your personal circumstances. Appointments can be made for in our office or in the comfort of your own home.
Once you have a mortgage in principle many providers will issue a certificate that proves what loan you can get, making you a more credible buyer.
Calculate the Costs: Work out how much buying a property will really cost. This includes factoring in the mortgage arrangement fee, stamp duty, valuation fee, surveys and removal costs. We can assist with all aspects of obtaining costs including mortgage and financial advice and solicitor /conveyancing costs..
Be Open-Minded: Keep an open mind and see lots of different types of property - do not rely on pictures seen on the internet or on house sales particulars. If a property that you have seen does not look attractive from the pictures or the outside, it could feel really homely once you step inside and that’s what really matters. A viewing does not cost anything except time and allows you to get a feel for different types of properties and what suits your requirements.
Try to Compromise: It has been said that it is almost impossible to find everything you want in a property so we advise that you make a list of what’s important and what you would be willing to compromise on. By making a list it will be clearer in your head when you attend viewings, especially if you’re buying with someone else as everybody has differing must-haves and maybe’s when searching for a property.
Get Legally Prepared Early: By instructing a solicitor when you first start viewing properties you can save time when you find a property you like. It’s often best to find a solicitor or licensed conveyancer through a recommendation. If you choose a solicitor, make sure they specialise in property. Conveyancing has a bit of a reputation for slowing down the home-moving process, but If you choose a good firm this is less likely to be the case. As agents we can assist you to get quotes from solicitors and conveyancers that we use frequently or have used in the past.