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The process of buying your own property can be quite confusing. First time buyers tend to get especially frustrated, since there seems so many things that need to be done, and it is not exactly clear where to start. So, this simple step by step guide to buying a house may help you wrap your head about the whole thing.
Talking to a bank to define your budget
First of all, you have to figure out exactly how much money you have and how much you can borrow. Your current savings should cover the first deposit and the mortgage fees (sometimes there are none, but sometimes they can reach £2000). Plus, you have to consider your income - the more stable it is, the more you can borrow from the bank. You should negotiate these details with your bank. The representative will also give you relevant information on the potential mortgage plans and will advice you on the best options to choose from - provided, of course, your income presupposes loan pre-approval.
House hunting
The step is quite simple – start looking for houses and do not rush into any conclusions. Define what you what and stick to the plan while looking.
Making an offer
If...
So, you just bought a house - now what? On the whole, there are two different things that have to be done - getting ready to move into a new house and getting everything in order in the old one. Most of these things can be done simultaneously, and the primary aspects you should pay your attention to are as follows:
Make sure previous utilities bills have been paid
This moment should be negotiated immediately after closing the deal. Make sure all red tape details are in order before you move in. Also, do not forget to pay your own bills before you move out.
Consider renovating the house
Take a good critical look at your house and think what you would like to change. Most likely, you will have a whole range of ideas but you should not hurry to carry them out –wait a little, as ideas often change. You want to be 100% certain that those are the renovations you want – whether it is new wall colour or an extra window in a living room.
Order the furniture you need for your new home
Renovation or no renovation, it is quite likely that you will need new furniture for your new...
Buying a house is associated with an entire range of questions. Most frequently asked questions when buying a home could be roughly subdivided into three categories: before looking for property, during the search, and after closing the deal.
Before
Do I need an estate agent to represent me?
As a rule, estate agents represent sellers, not buyers. However, buyer’s representative may also be a wise choice. Yet, you should note that the represented person is the one paying the fees, so you might want to think twice about this.
Should I look for ‘for sale by owner’ property?
This can be the option, but it comes with a kick. First of all, there are few real estate properties that are for sale by owner; and, next, it would be quite difficult to find out all the relevant details about the house you are interested in. Estate agents, even if they represent the seller, come up with an objective evaluation of the property, so it is often a safer and more reasonable way to look for houses.
When do I talk to the bank?
Ideally, you should talk to a bank even before you start looking for houses. They will tell you what mortgage plan you can be...
Everyone knows that buying a house is a long and expensive process. Yet, not everyone realizes that apart from the property cost, there is a set of other expenses. Without them, it would be simply impossible to go through the complete process. The detailed buying a house process – money timeline typically goes as follows:
Estimating your budget
Even before you start looking for the house of your dreams, you should carefully evaluate your budget and figure out what you can afford. Your savings should be enough to cover the first deposit and the mortgage fees, which may be as high as £2000. Then, you should check your credit report and talk to your bank representative – he/ she will be able to tell what mortgage plans you are eligible for (the consultation is free).
Making your offer
After that, you can start looking for houses. If you find something you like, you can make an offer. The offers are typically made via real estate agents. As a rule, agents represent sellers and, consequently, sellers pay the fees. If you want to hire a buyer’s representative, which is not necessary, you will be the one paying for your agent’s services.
Hiring a solicitor
While hiring a...
What to do when buying a house - this is quite a common question for many first time buyers. Normally, it goes like this:
Preparations
For starters, you will have to carefully consider your budget. Perhaps, you have already made some initial research on than one. Yet, you should note that your savings should be enough for the first deposit, and possibly - mortgage fees. Sometimes there are none, but in most cases there are, and they may reach up to £2000.
Also, you shouldn't hurry into spending all of your savings at once. You cannot take off the count the simple fact that a house you buy might need repairing, or some new furniture - so stay reasonable.
If you feel that you have enough money to cover all of it, you should still consult your bank - the representative will tell you if you can be pre-approved for a loan. If you have a positive credit history and your income is predictable, you will most likely be pre-approved. After the visit to a bank, you will know exactly how much you can afford to borrow, and you will be able to move on to a next stage - that is, looking for...
The process of buying a property is not complicated, but it definitely requires some time. The time-scale on every stage will differ depending on the circumstances, but normally, the most time consuming one is searching for a perfect house / apartment. Others are mostly red tape, and they go as follows:
Researching price range on property and figuring out your budget
For starters, you should carefully evaluate your budget. Remember that your current savings should be enough not only to cover the first deposit but also the mortgage fees. You have probably already completed some research on the price range of the property you might be interested in. Still, make sure you consider all the upfront payments in your calculations.
Contacting the bank for loan pre-approval
Next, you should make sure that the bank will pre-approve you for a loan. For that, you will have to go there and talk to your bank representative directly. He / she will evaluate your credit history, your income and its stability. If you can be pre-approved, the representative will also give some general advice on the mortgage plans most suitable for you.
Actual house hunting
Once you have established your budget, you can actually start house hunting. Determine what...
After buying a house, checklist of minor chores is practically limitless. You have to make sure every little detail is in place before you actually start packing your things. For different people, the particulars will surely differ. Yet, there are some common tips that can help you get started - no matter what kind of house you bought or how soon you are planning to move in - those are some universal guidelines any homeowner can benefit from. So, after buying a house checklist should first of all include:
Change locks and get new keys
To make the new property truly yours, you will have to install new lock and get yourself a brand new set of keys. This is not merely a symbolic gesture – after all, you cannon know for sure who can have the old set of keys, so new locks are more of a security measure.
Double check your house for leakages and pests
Even though you have probably made you first check before buying the house, make another one just to be on the safe side. A lot of smaller things can skip your attention at the first glance.
Order all missing furniture and equipment
Usually, houses are sold without any...
After buying a house, things to do are numerous. Of course, a lot will depend on the particular circumstances but generally it is possible to come up with several universal tips - little things that simply have to be done. Ideally, you should start working on these steps as soon as possible. The sooner you finish them, the sooner you can start packing your stuff and contacting the movers. Generally, after buying a house, things to do include:
Get pest control to check your house
Any house, especially an old one, should be checked for pests before you can move in. Technically, you can do it yourself – and if everything seems to be in order, you do not have to contact pest control. If you suspect that something is wrong, you should call the exterminators and they will take care of the rest themselves.
Get all necessary appliances and equipment
Make sure that you have all the appliances you need – especially if you have lived in the furnished rented apartments for your entire life. Sure, getting all the stuff you need make take a while, so you should probably start with the essentials – whatever this means for you.
Change the locks
Before...
Typical mortgage rates can take an average buyer to the cleaners, which is why the issue of refinancing re-emerges soon after the deal. However, different lenders have different conditions, so you might have to wait a while before you can renegotiate them. In addition, there may be additional payments on changing your mortgage plan or even closing it. So, after buying a house, when you can refinance and what rules apply to some of the most common mortgage plans and conditions? There are several approaches to refinancing the loan, and the most reasonable ones include:
Cash out
So far this is the quickest way to get a refinance. As soon as you close the deal, you can pay the full mortgage in cash. However, there are nuances. You can pay for the house in cash and get refinance at once, but you will have to prove where your cash comes from. Plus, you get more cash if it’s the first house you purchase; for the second and subsequent properties the amount of cash diminishes proportionally. All in all, it is a good perk for individual buyers; yet, it is not always perfect for realtors. Plus, the program does not concern business partners...
A house is a solid investment. Yet, make sure you are making the right choice, you should bear in mind this simple ‘what to look for when buying a house’ checklist:
Neighbourhood infrastructure
This is probably the first thing that has to be considered. Most buyers start looking for homes in a particular neighborhood(s), so you probably have a couple of ideas on the subject already. Consider not only how quiet / safe it is, but also its general infrastructure – are there any decent stores, schools, playgrounds, etc. Sometimes it wouldn’t hurt to evaluate public transport infrastructure as well – after all, cars break down.
Driveway and parking
In regard to cars, make sure that the driveway is wide enough. Length of the driveway can also be important. If cars are parked at the street, think if it can accommodate yours and your neighbours’ cars, while at the same time ensuring free and easy passage.
Amount of natural light
Living in a dark and gloomy house is not simply depressive – it can be hazardous for your health. So, make sure that the house has enough windows, and that they let a lot of sun in, that the trees outside are not blocking the natural...
