Finding the right home
The fun stage, and the dangerous one. This is where emotion takes over and people make expensive mistakes. Stay structured.
You've got an AIP in your pocket. Estate agents will now take you seriously. The temptation is to view everything you can, fight that. View structured, view skeptically, and view twice before offering on anything.
Most first-time buyers view properties at peak times, Saturday morning sunshine, with three other interested couples in the kitchen. That's the worst possible time to make an honest assessment. Always do a second viewing at a different time of day, ideally on a weekday and in different weather.
Use these before you offer
Coming soon Property Insight Report
Flood risk, planning history, school catchments, broadband speed, EPC, council tax, leasehold info. Get this before you offer, not after.
Learn more →Free First-Time Buyer guide
The full first-time buyer playbook, viewings, schemes, what to ask, what to watch for.
Learn more →I've seen first-time buyers exchange contracts on properties without knowing they were in a flood zone, sat next to a planned by-pass, or had a Japanese knotweed history. The Property Insight Report (launching soon) is built to catch all of that, before you offer, not after. Join the waitlist on the report page.
When you've worked through everything in this stage, mark it complete to track your overall progress.
Found this useful? If you'd rather talk it through with a real broker, book a free chat with DS Financial, the regulated mortgage adviser.
Book a free chat with DS Financial