Prospective homeowners all over the world are thinking right now about how to start their search. The search for a new house, search for a mortgage, location and a host of other things to consider when you are preparing to buy a home. Read our buying a home checklist to ensure you get the top four priority decisions made in time and to good effect.

Buying a home checklist

If you are in the process of buying a house then you might be thinking it is a bit of a minefield to navigate, it doesn’t have to be. Your friend when it comes to buying a house is making lists, these can help you through the tough times and ensure you know what needs doing. Before you buy a home it is important to find the one that you want to live in, never buy a house just for the sake of it. Take a look below to find out some considerations regarding buying a home.

1. Plan your Budget

How much do you have to spend on a home? This should be the top of your buying a home checklist. Working out your budget is important as it informs you and limits you on how much you have available to put as a down payment on a house.

When you apply for a mortgage the banks will want to know everything. They need to know all your incomings and outgoings so they can be safe in the knowledge you can afford the repayments. Write everything down and then you will know how much money you have left at the end of the month. 

2. Prepare to secure a mortgage

Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting time. You not only need to find one with a good rate, you then need to apply for it, fill out all the paperwork, and keep everything crossed until you are accepted.

Working out how much of a mortgage you need is quite easy, there are even mortgage calculators online that will tell you how much you need. It all comes down to how much of a budget you have available. The higher your down payment, the less your monthly repayments will be. There are mortgage brokers out there who can help with this process so you are not alone, take a look at mortgage services near you to find a good one. 

3. Consider the size of the property

How big a house do you need? If you have a big family then you will need one with plenty of space and rooms, unless people are going to share. If you want to save money on a house then there are plenty of ways to do this.

You could buy a house that is further out, away from all local amenities and transport routes. These tend to be cheaper as you don’t pay the price for convenience. A great way to get more property for your money is to buy a smaller property and convert the loft. For instance, if it is cheaper to buy a three-bedroom than a four then get the three and convert the loft for the extra space. Occasionally, it works out much cheaper to do it this way around. 

4. Choose your location and preferred area

And last but certainly not least important is the location. One of the really important items on your buying a home checklist is considering where you want to live. You may be relocating to a different area for work or school, if this is the case then you will need to do your research. The last thing you want to do is move to an area you know nothing about and not like it.

You can visit the areas you are interested in, you can also take a look online. Be sure to check vital information such as schools, transport, shops, doctors, and crime rates. This last one is important as you don’t want to live in an area where you don’t feel safe. 

Buying a house checklist in summary

If you are planning to buy a new home in the near future make sure you follow the guidance in this buying a house check list. We offer the best top tips based on our the experience of our members of the top 4 recommendations for new home buyers.

FURTHER READING FOR HOMEOWNERS 

At Housesitmatch.com we like to offer useful and practical articles on topics for our readers. In this selection we offer you a number of suitable pieces from our own blog on renovating and decorating a home.

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