10 tips for buying your first home - Part 1

Ministers have urged house buyers to put their imminent property moves on hold during the UK lockdown designed to stem the tide of coronavirus.

And people trying to sell their homes have been told to delay it for three months - and not to have any viewings.

So what can you do in the meantime? Sit tight and stay in touch with your solicitor and the estate agent if you fall into one of the above two categories.

But if you were about to embark on the house buying process, you can use this time to plan, plan and plan some more.

My newly published book "The First-Time Buyer’s Guide: A road map to buying your first home" gives you a road map to get you going.

If you or someone else may benefit, head to Amazon, or better still send them to my website for their own free copy

There are many things to think about when you're moving house, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Many of these challenges can be easily tackled by planning ahead.

To give you something to think about during lockdown, here is Part 1 of my "Top 10 tips for buying for your first home".

1. Plan Ahead

For the smoothest possible first-time purchase, take time to plan ahead and consider as many variables as you can. You're less likely to make expensive mistakes if you start well in advance:

Work out your current income and outgoings - try this tool

Check your credit file and sort out any problems you uncover

Know exactly how much you have as a deposit

Remember to budget for moving costs, solicitors fees.

Try this Mortgage Calculator from Which?

First-time buyers don't have to pay stamp duty generally but check with the mortgage broker or solicitor your circumstances

Approach a [whole-market mortgage broker] and find what mortgages you are eligible for and get a Decision in Principle (DiP) lined up - it'll make you more attractive to sellers and their agents

Use the following apps to help you narrow down the types of properties and areas you like:

Make sure you register with all the local estate agents too - this is a 'people business'

There's a lot to think about I know - I've moved home more times than I can remember. Why not download my FREE moving house checklist?

2. Declutter

Make sure you don't pay the removal men to hump your clutter across town; follow these simple tips to help speed up your decluttering:

Room by room make three piles: 'Keep' - 'Throw away' - 'Sell/Give away'

Start in the far left corner (from the door) of each room and work your way around clockwise

Employ a 'touch once' policy i.e., once you've picked up an item put it on one of the three piles: 'Keep' - 'Throw away' - 'Sell/Give away'

I don't buy into all that 'does it bring you joy' crap but as a rule, if I've not used/worn it in the last six months it goes...

3. Shop around for your support team

Moving house requires a team behind you: removals men, conveyancers (solicitors) and surveyors.

I recommend these guys great for removals, storage and packing materials

If you are looking for the best solicitor or conveyancing firm, then [look no further]

Mortgages are tricky and you'll want someone who can walk you through every step of the way - [try these guys]

Finally, you'll need a survey doing on your new property - whichever survey you opt for, just make sure the firm carrying it out come RICS-recommended

4. Zag when everyone else zigs

Book your removal company in advance, but don't confirm until you have exchanged and have a completion date!

Try and pick a day other than Friday - it's usually the most expensive. Especially Fridays in the summer. Knowing the best time to move home can save a tremendous amount of your costs.

Go for mid-week or even a Sunday - just remember to tell the boss and get time off work.

5. Get Creative with Packing Materials

Save money on packing materials and try to find free cardboard boxes and other packing materials:

Start with friends and family and see if they have spare boxes
Save any boxes and packaging materials that come with the steady stream of Amazon deliveries (other online services are available)
Ask local shops and supermarkets as well - they'd be recycling them anyway
Use of what you've already got and pack breakables in towels or bedding - cheaper and far kinder to the environment than bubble-wrap (though arguably not as fun, so have this one on me)

Want your FREE copy of The First-Time Buyer’s Guide?

Just click on the button over there >>>

And watch out for Part 2 of my Top 10 Tips... coming soon!

Yes, I want my free eBook!