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Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times of your life.

At Butcher’s we understand that finding your first dream home can be daunting but we’re experts at transforming any stress or fear into an exciting and memorable experience.

We’ve put together this guide to give you a helping hand up the first rung of the housing ladder.

Our first suggestion is to have an idea of what you are looking for. When there are dozens of fabulous homes on our website to choose from, we know it’s tempting to view them all but draw up a list of priorities – initially what’s your budget and location?

When it comes to setting your budget, be realistic. Get mortgage advice before you start looking and consider your income over the next few years if you were to change jobs or start a family. Don’t forget to factor in the bills, maintenance and repairs.

Once your finances are in place, take your time. First-time buyers are in a fantastic position as there’s no chain – you’ll be very popular with any seller!

Don’t let your heart rule your head. Try to look past the décor and furniture as the structure and layout is more important. Ask if there has been previous building work and invest in a survey.

Is the property leasehold or freehold? If it’s freehold, you’ll own the property and the land it sits on. If it’s leasehold, you’ll need to pay annual ground rent for the land.

Location is vital. Do you need to be near work, schools or family? View the property more than once at different times of the day, especially evenings and weekends. Is there enough on-street parking? Are there bus lanes or other parking restrictions?

Be aware of timescales. Buying a home can be a lengthy process, especially if there’s a chain.

Also consider if the right time for you to buy? Don’t feel pressurised, we have dozens of amazing properties for let too so if you feel more comfortable renting for a while longer, we can still help you find a new home.

 

Finally, breathe! Buying your first home can feel overwhelming but our team has a combined experience of 120 years so we understand. We can help your find your ideal property, arrange visits, advice on mortgages and legal issues and be by your side every step of the way.