First Time Buyer

First thing to check is that you are able to get a mortgage and how much you are able to lend; the rules are generally a single person is about: 3 x Gross Salary. For example a couple: 2.5 x Joint Gross Salary. OR 3 x Higher Gross Salary + 1 x Lower Gross Salary. This is only a general guide, if you are serious about buying a house this will help you to know what budget you have while looking into buying a house. Knowing your price range, will help you to narrow down the house that you will need to see. There are house where everything has been done for you, so no work will be need all you have to do is move in your furniture or you can look for a rundown house which you can fix up to your own design and taste.

If you are going to buy a rundown house it is best to have a Structural Survey done, what this does is check the property for all major and minor repairs, there is quite a lot of paper work with this kind of survey and it can be several days before you hear anything back, but this way you will know what is in need of repair within the house. There are two other surveys you can have done, like a Valuation Survey, this is the minimum required and is only for the lenders benefit. A condition and valuation survey looks at basic state of repairs and values the property. If you want more expert advice there are some excellent web pages on buying houses and getting mortgagees that suit you. This page is only to give you general knowledge and ideas.