• Draw up a wish list of where you want to live: the location, as ever, is essential, particularly when it comes to reselling; is it convenient for work; are there good schools nearby; what age of property are you looking for; how many bedrooms do you want; house or flat; do you want a garden; do you want to be near shops, bars and restaurants; is the area up and coming?
• Tell the estate agent the price you want to pay for the house. Never admit you can pay more than that, even if you can. Agents will happily send you information on more expensive properties in the hope you will be tempted to buy, and earn them more commission as a result.
• Make sure the estate agent is aware of timescales of your proposed move.
• Look at lots of properties to get a feel for the market before you buy.
• Ensure you make your first offer less than the asking price. You can always go up.
• No matter how friendly you find an estate agent, you must always remember that he or she is the agent of the seller, not the buyer.
• An estate agent must not lie or mislead the potential buyer in the pursuit of client’s interest.
• Ensure the estate agent has all your contact details – you never know when you’re dream home could come along!
• The Home Condition Report does not contain advice. Concerns raised in a Home Condition Report can be investigated by a surveyor who will advise you on remedial action.
• The Energy Performance Certificate records how energy-efficient a property is. The rating is A-G, A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
• Expect an old house, built some time ago to be somewhere between inefficient and very inefficient – it’s unrealistic to expect older properties to be very efficient unless they’ve already been massively overhauled.
• Fees will vary between areas and between solicitors in the same area. So be sure to call around for quotes.
• Remember to keep in regular touch with your solicitor to ensure everything possible is being done to push your home purchase through.
• You can save money by using a Licensed Conveyncer or by doing your own conveyancing but only if you have the time and know how to do so.
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