Here are some of the main things you should consider when you are buying a property.

Deposit

The deposit is one of the most important things to be aware of for most people.  You can’t even consider buying a house until you have a sizeable deposit saved as mortgage lenders will want a certain sized deposit, such as 10%, before they will lend you the rest of the money.  As you’ll need to save thousands of pounds for a deposit, it’s a good idea to look into a high interest term deposit savings account whilst saving the money to ensure you get the best return possible on your cash.

Mortgage

The mortgage is going to be the largest amount of money you will owe and is secured against the property.  The higher the deposit you can save the better interest rates you might be able to get, which can mean lower monthly mortgage repayments.  It’s a good idea to search the market to find the best mortgage deal for you, rather than just automatically going to your bank.  There are lots of mortgage comparison sites to help you online or you can seek the help of a specialist mortgage advisor or mortgage broker to do the legwork for you.   You’ll want to find a mortgage with a decent rate, and compare the different kinds of rates too - variable and fixed.  A fixed term means you know exactly how much you’ll pay each month which is much easier for budgeting and knowing where you stand with your finances.  Make sure you keep your credit score in check before applying for a mortgage.

Location

As well as the house being perfect for you, the location needs to be spot on as well.  If you have children then you’ll need to consider local schools and amenities.  Do you want to be in walking distance of shops, countryside or perhaps the beach?  It’s important to take a good look at the location as well as the house to make sure it suits your family and lifestyle.  The location affects the actual value as well as anything else, so it’s worth considering if you’ll possibly be renting the property or planning to sell in a few years.

The market

Finally, make sure you watch the housing market before you buy property.  This will give you an indication to whether it is a good time to buy or not.  If there are more buyers than sellers then you are going to be competing with others and trying to outbid each other.  If there are less buyers and people become more desperate to sell then you might be able to go much lower than the asking price.