If you are in the process of buying your first home, you will no doubt be incredibly excited. This is a special moment in anyone’s life. You have probably already had some advice from your loved ones before beginning the search process, and you may have read some articles online too. However, nothing can prepare you for owning your first property so here are some of the things I wish we had known before buying our first house.
Consider all of the costs
One of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make is only considering the cost of the home loan and the deposit, rather than seeing the full picture. There are so many expenses associated with owning property. Therefore it’s critical to budget efficiently. Not only do you need to consider the likes of stamp duty, and moving costs, but you will also spend a lot on maintaining your home as well. If you are currently renting, you won’t need to worry about any roof repairs or paying for water and heating system maintenance. However, as a homeowner, this all falls on your shoulders.
Don’t worry about being ‘difficult.’
A lot of people do not ask for what they need when buying a property, as they are worried about being demanding. Don’t. Ask as many questions as you need to. This is probably the most significant investment you have ever made, so don’t feel sorry for pushing too hard for what you want.
Your home will never be done
When you move into your house, you will probably put together a list of all the home improvements that need to be done. From painting the bedroom walls to changing the carpet in the living room, rarely does someone move into a property and love it exactly how it is. However, no matter how many good intentions you have, you will find that your list will never be complete. There is always something else that needs to be done.
Check fees with a magnifying glass
It is critical to check the costs carefully. You don’t want to end up paying even more because of a mistake. After all, accidents do happen.
Take comments with a pinch of salt
The home buying process can be very stressful. There are likely to be many mixed messages along the way from everyone, be it your solicitor, estate agent, or the seller. It can be challenging to know where you stand, and you can end up feeling incredibly confused and frustrated. The best thing to do is just go with the flow and don’t read into things too much. The home buying process is rarely straightforward.
Don’t tell everyone that you’re buying a new property
A little piece of advice: if you are purchasing a property, only tell your close friends and family members. A lot of people get so excited that they end up telling everyone with whom they come into contact. If you do this, every time you see someone they will ask you if your house has been completed yet. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, but if you hit a stumbling block, it can start to become frustrating and a bit of a kick in the teeth.
You are a small piece of a big puzzle
One thing that may surprise you when buying a house is just how much of a little bit you are in a massive jigsaw puzzle. Depending on how big the chain is you could end up having to wait on the seller’s seller, and then the seller’s seller’s seller, and so on.
Prepare for the unexpected
No matter how ready you feel and how much research you have done, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Anything can and will hold up the purchase of your home. You may have a seller that works abroad a lot, making the change-over period difficult. Or you may be dealing with someone that requires some specialist removal firm to take away specific items from their home.
Don’t become homeless
Be very, very cautious before you end your rental agreement. There have been so many people that have canceled their rental contract because their solicitor has told them that they are going to be exchanging contracts soon. The exchange then gets delayed, and they are left with no home, and so they have to go and stay with their parents or on their friend’s sofa.
It can be a strain on your relationship
If you are buying your first home with your partner, it can place significant pressure on your relationship. Everyone says this, but most couples don’t listen. After all, their relationship isn’t weak enough to become turbulent because of buying a house. It doesn’t matter how healthy your relationship is; the process really can push you to your limits. It will all be worth it in the end, of course, but prepared for a rocky road.
Take your time
Last but not least, make sure you do your research and take your time. It can often feel like there is a rush to sign on the dotted line. After all, you are excited and want to buy your first property. This eagerness only heightens once you find somewhere you like. However, such enthusiasm can often lead to rushed decisions, so make sure you take your time. There are millions of houses and all of the time in the world to select the right one!