Despite soaring property prices, an increasingly turbulent housing market and rising fuel and energy bills, the UK saw a record number of first-time homeowners in 2021. With more people making the switch from renting to buying than ever before, how can prospective homeowners go about securing their dream property?
Searching for a new home?
While international property prices are likely to stabilise in the coming years, the UK has made little progress when compared to countries like China and the US – buying a home in the United Kingdom is still more expensive than ever, and not an investment to be taken lightly. If you’re searching for a new home or entering the buyer’s market for the first time, it’s essential that you take the necessary steps and precautions to reduce costs and potential stress and ensure that you get the best deal possible. Take a closer look at these top tips for buying a new house in the current UK market:
Hire conveyancing solicitors
The first essential step is hiring a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. When making an offer on a property, you’ll be required to give the details of your conveyancing solicitor, but that’s not the only reason to hire one – conveyancers deal with all of the legal matters related to buying a home, such as deposit transfers, contracts, local council searches and Land Registry. Conveyancers can also offer expert legal advice related to property purchases, which can be extremely helpful for inexperienced buyers. Shop around for the best professionals in your area by comparing average conveyancing fees and checking online reviews.
Get organized early
When buying a new home, it’s never too early to get your affairs in order. Try to consider every aspect of the big move well ahead of time and make plans accordingly. This could include budgeting for the move and listing priorities related to your mortgage, internet service provider, home insurance or removals company. Try to keep notes of your targets and mark them off week by week. This can go a long way in reducing stress and ensuring a smooth move when the big day finally comes.
Don’t compromise on removals
When the time comes to hire a removals company, shop around and consider every option. Is it really necessary to hire outside help for the task at hand? Would it be more cost-effective to hire a man-with-a-van or even do the work yourself? Could you save money by packing boxes and relying on a removals company solely for bulky items such as furniture and white goods? If you decide to hire help, ensure that you get at least 3 quotes to find the best deal.
Label boxes and keep notes
If hiring a removals service, ensure that you categorise and label all of your belongings and keep a note of where grouped items are kept. This can reduce the risk of you (or the removals company) misplacing important items, which is all too common when moving house. Last but not least, try and enjoy the move!
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