Buying a house for the first time: tips and advice

If you’re wondering about how to buy a house for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created the ultimate first time buyer guide for you to follow, giving you a breakdown of all the different stages you will go through once you embark on this journey.

So, why not take a look at our first time buyer advice below and browse each sec-tion to find out more information about the various steps you need to take?

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Costs of buying a house

From Stamp Duty to solicitors all the way down to moving, buying a house for the first time involves a lot of financial planning and often ends up being one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime!
It can all end up being a bit overwhelming, which is why we’ve written an entire guide about the costs involved and what you can expect throughout the house purchase process. We’ve done this simply to help you break it down and make it all far more manageable.

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Applying for a mortgage

Unless you’re part of the lucky few cash buyers out there, most first time buyers will have to get a mortgage with a bank or a lender to get on the property ladder.

There’s quite a lot of choice out there, with plenty of different types of mortgage loans to choose from, and a long list of lenders, so going with the right one is key.

Being mortgage qualified can also be very helpful and bring you many benefits, so consider speaking with a specialist ahead of time to get a better understand-ing of your current financial situation.

Finding the right house

After all, you can’t buy a house if you haven’t found one that you want!

There are many things to consider when searching for your forever home, and these usually are:

  • Style: Finding the right home layout and bedroom mix is usually top of the list! At Avant we have over 30 house types to pick from with lots of differ-ent formats, including semi-detached and detached homes, townhouses, bungalows, and more.
  • Personalisation: Being able to personalise your home to your heart’s con-tent tends to be another must. With Avant, you can choose your kitchen cupboards, worktop, tiles and lots more.
  • Location: Whether that’s close to family, close to work, close to a major city or more rural, location is everything.
  • Amenities: Being close to the amenities you need is key and, at Avant, we always choose to build in areas well serviced by road links and amenities.

And if you haven’t already, why not browse our developments in your area to see if we have the right new build for you?

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Viewing houses

When you’ve narrowed down your list of preferred houses, it’s time to go and look at them.

One of our main tips for first time buyers is to ensure you go into your viewing fully ready, knowing the property back to front and with the mindset of gathering as much information as possible during your visit.

This will allow you to make the best decision going forward, ensuring that noth-ing slips through the cracks that could come back to haunt you down the line.

And if you’re struggling to think of what to ask, don’t worry, as we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask when viewing houses to help you out.

Making an offer

Once you’ve found your house and you’re happy with everything, you’ll need to make an offer.

This is when you negotiate the price with the estate agent and agree on the total amount you’ll end up paying to secure the property.

And if you’re buying a new build home, you can usually use special offers, like our Bank of Mum and Dad or our First Time Buyer Fund, to help with your purchase.

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Appointing solicitors

If your offer has been accepted, now is the time to find the right solicitor for you, as they will handle all the contracts, conduct property searches and give you any legal advice throughout the entire buying process.

Plus, if you’re buying a house for the first time, you’ll probably have a lot of ques-tions for them, which they’ll be more than happy to answer, giving you the best advice possible.

Exchanging contracts

This is the big moment. With everything legal now sorted, it’s time for you to ex-change contracts with the seller and pay your deposit. Scary, but also exciting!

The great news is, once that’s done, you’ll get your keys and be able to move into your new home!

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Moving in

Now comes the exciting part of getting everything from your old house into your new home.

However, depending on the amount of stuff you have, moving into a new home can be quite the undertaking, so make sure you plan accordingly and do things like redirect your post and register to vote in your new area.

And if you’re looking for more advice, we’ve put together some great home mov-ing tips for first time buyers, as we know exactly what is needed, having helped so many find their dream home.

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Advice for first time buyers: conclusion

While there are a lot of steps involved in buying a house, you’ll be glad to know that we’re experts at helping first time buyers move into their new build home.

We offer buying schemes to help make buying more affordable, so just ask your Sales Advisor what’s available on your desired development!

And if you’re now ready to take the first step towards homeownership, why not visit our locations page to find your new dream home? 

First time buyer FAQs

We know you’ll have some questions before buying. Some of the most common ones
we get from first time buyers are:

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What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan used to purchase a home. When you buy your property and need additional funds to cover the full amount of the purchase, you’ll take out a mortgage from a lender, which typically is with a bank. You’ll repay this amount, normally with interest, over an agreed period of time.

How old do I have to be to buy a property in the UK?

In the UK, you normally have to be above 18 years old to purchase a property.

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Is buying a new build better for a first time buyer?

Buying a new build home with Avant Homes comes with several benefits, like access to schemes such as Bank of Mum and Dad and our First Time Buyer Fund.

However, we understand that each first time buyer will have different circum-stances and requirements when buying their first home, so there’s no “correct” answer to this question. 

What does a mortgage advisor do?

An independent mortgage advisor has access to lots of mortgages, available from a multitude of lenders. This means they can find you the best mortgage for you, at the best rate, advise you on how much you can borrow and explain the different types of deals.

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Why buy new?

For first time buyers, new builds are the perfect choice.

We’ve compiled a list of reasons why buying new is best, but, in short, if you want a home that is low maintenance, better for the planet, and a place where you can be the first to make memories in it, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Hear from people like you

Thousands of first time buyers have made their first step onto the property ladder with Avant.

Hear from a selection of our customers below!

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Tia and James's Story

Tia and James moved from a small flat in the city centre into a new Avant home to give them more space, in a peaceful countryside setting. Read more about their first time buying journey with Avant.

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John's Story

John chose Avant Homes for his first home after hearing great things, including how well they finish properties with very little snagging issues. Read more about John’s story and why he wanted to buy new.

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Katherine and Harvey's Story

After being together for almost eight years, the couple bought their first home with Avant after renting. They fell in love with the Saltaire and have loved making it their own!

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