First Time Buyer

Beth096

Hi


I'm sure this has been asked a lot but I'm currently looking to buy my first flat and am completely clueless as to where to begin. I've been looking on Rightmove/Zoopla for a while and have seen some flats that are nice - recently contacted one to arrange a viewing but other than that I don't know what I'm doing. I've also got a DIP for a mortgage.


What things should I look for / ask when viewing a flat? When making an offer how much lower than asking price (if any) should I offer?


I'm looking to buy in a different region than I am currently in so do I get a solicitor from here or there?


Any help would be greatly appreciated

eddddy

Try googling home buying guide or something similar. You should find a few useful websites.

Beth096 wrote: »

I've been looking on Rightmove/Zoopla for a while and have seen some flats that are nice - recently contacted one to arrange a viewing but other than that I don't know what I'm doing. I've also got a DIP for a mortgage.

Maybe start by looking at a few places in your price range.

Once you've seen a few, you'll probably start getting an idea for what you like or don't like.

I guess a few of the things to consider include: garden, parking, public transport links, distance from work / shops / facilities. And the 'better' the location, the less you'll get for your money.

Beth096 wrote: »

When making an offer how much lower than asking price (if any) should I offer?

I guess the goal is to offer the minimum that the seller will accept - as long as the property is worth that amount to you.

So a lot is down to the seller's situation and mindset. If they are desperate to move, they might accept a lower offer. If they're not desperate, they might not.

Beth096 wrote: »

I'm looking to buy in a different region than I am currently in so do I get a solicitor from here or there?

It doesn't really matter. You'll probably have to visit the solicitor at least once to have your ID checked, so somewhere convenient might help a bit.

Spriggan

You can technically get a solicitor anywhere. I got one (recommended to me by a friend) from a less expensive area than the one I live in, and saved a bit of money by doing so! Did everything over email and it was fine.

Slithery

Go to your local library and borrow some books on house buying and selling. Then read them all.

You're about to make the biggest purchase of your life, it's worth taking a while to research the process properly first.

G_M

I would always use a solicitor I've met, liked/trusted, and could meet again if issues arose. So local to me.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Your-First-Home-Sell/dp/0091935377/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=house+buying&qid=1572628531&s=books&sr=1-2


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buying-Selling-Home-Dummies-Melanie/dp/0470994487/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=house+buying&qid=1572628560&s=books&sr=1-4

MaxiRobriguez

As others have said, read a lot first.

The one major piece of advice I would give you is always remember the estate agent is acting on behalf of the seller, not you, and it is both the sellers interest and the estate agents interest to extract as much money from you as possible.

Think rationally, and don't be pushed into decisions. If an estate agent says there's already a bid on the house so you may want to go straight to asking price, and the house has been on the market three months, the estate agent is probably lying to you. Unfortunately because you're a FTB they're likely to try it on more, be ready for it.