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Steps to buying a house

Property Information & Advice > Steps to buying a house

The first considerations must be given to what area you want to buy in and of course what you can afford.

It is important to fully research the area you wish to move to, especially if it is unknown to you. Visit as many times as possible including weekdays, weekends at night and during the day. This will help give you an overall impression of the area.

A lot of information is available on the Internet so it may be worth logging on to as many properties sites as possible. Information about schools in the area may be important to you if you have children.


Even if you don't have any, this can still be an important aspect to consider as it may effect the resale value of the property. Other aspects to look at are what local facilities are there e.g. shops, parking, parks etc.

How much can you afford to spend on your new home? To assess this you need to see how much money you have yourself and how much you can borrow. When deciding how much to spend the following costs must also be taken into consideration: Survey fees, Valuation fees, Stamp duty (if property costs over £60,000), Land registry fee, Local authority search, Any fees charged by mortgage lender or broker, Solicitor's costs, VAT, Removal expenses and any final bills from current address, which have to be settled when you move.

There is great competition between mortgage lenders, so it is essential to research the market before committing yourself. Normally a person looking to buy on their own will be able to get a mortgage based on three times their salary. However, if you are buying with another person, you should be able to get a mortgage two and a half times your joint income. It is always advisable to seek advice from 2 or 3 mortgage lenders or financial advisers.

If possible, try to save a reasonable amount for your deposit as this will help in getting a good repayment deal. If you manage to scrape together your deposit and don't have much else, some lenders offer a cash back deal on completion, but there could be penalties if you pull out of the deal early. If this isn't possible, 100% mortgages are available.

When securing a mortgage, make sure you supply all necessary information eg details of any county court judgements or outstanding debts, as searches will reveal this information anyway and will only delay matters.