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We’ve just moved house (two days ago!) so a post with tips for first-time homeowners is very much on topic. You’ll be seeing a few posts in the coming weeks on interiors, homes, gardens and so on.

Know The Process

Becoming homeowners for the first time sounds great because there is no hint of all the legal hoops you’ll have to jump through and so on. Don’t let this put you off, but do make sure that you do your research and get advice where appropriate. For more information on the process of purchasing your first house, you can visit this site here.

Set Yourself An Overall Budget For Your Home, And For Moving

One of the most important things you need to do when becoming first-time homeowners is making sure you have set yourself an overall budget for both your home and for moving costs. When it comes to the budget for your home you need to think about both the deposit and the costs of your mortgage, as well as all of the monthly bills you need to pay. As for moving, you will need to consider the costs to hire a removal team and any costs that may occur when you first move in. To help, you can keep track of everything in a budgeting spreadsheet. 

Consider the little costs when might not seem obvious, like buying a new green licence for the new place (£35 for us!), having an oven cleaned, new curtain poles etc if going into a new build without them. We had lot of little bit on top of the “proper” moving costs and it all adds up.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help If You Need It

During your move, there are going to be lots of things you struggle with. Whether it’s understanding the way in which your mortgage works, working out the average executive condo price or understanding the agreement you have with your estate agents, it’s never a bad thing to ask for help. There are lots of different people out there that will be able to help you on your journey, so don’t be afraid to reach out for advice if you need it. Help with the moving day is always good, my youngest sister has been my angel this week!

Do Your Research When It Comes To Choosing An Estate Agents To Work With

Although you won’t have as much involvement with your estate agents as you would have if you were renting, you will have to communicate with them on a regular basis during the first few months of your move. Because of this, you need to ensure you’re purchasing a house from a company you trust. If you haven’t had experience with any estate agents before, make sure you’re doing as much research as you can before you get started. Ask your friends for advice, find reviews online and meet with people face to face to get a better impression. You’ll be glad you did when it comes to saying yes to a purchase!

View As Many Houses As You Possibly Can

One of the best things about becoming homeowners is that you get to view as many different properties as you want. The best thing to do is take a look at all of the properties in your area that are within your budget, and book appointments to see them all. Even if they’re not something you’d typically like, you never know when you’re going to be surprised by a property. Whether you’re looking for a small apartment in the city or a family home away from the hustle and bustle, you may find you actually enjoy viewing a wide range of properties.

Make Sure You’re Viewing Your Favourites More Than Once

Once you have viewed a range of properties you need to narrow it down to your favourites, as well as the ones that are definitely still on the market. Once you’ve done this, take the time to visit them all again. Not only does this give you more of an idea of which property is your favourite, but it will give you a chance to ask all of the important questions that will help you make your decision. If you haven’t already, it may be worth writing down a list of all the questions you want to ask your estate agent.

Once You’ve Chosen The Best Choice, Take Measurements Of Every Room

Once you’ve revisited all of your favourites, it’s time to make a decision! Although you may not be able to access the property too often, it’s definitely worth finding out if you’re able to go back to take measurements of each room. If not, find out if this is something your estate agents can offer. Having the measurements for your new property will not only allow you to start making plans when it comes to renovations, but it will also give you a good idea of what furniture will and won’t fit. For tips and tricks when it comes to taking measurements, you can visit this site here.

Speak With A Professional If You Want Assistance In Interior Design

When it comes to interior design, it may be worth speaking to a professional. Whilst you may have a certain amount of skill when it comes to decorating, moving into a new home is a chance to have it completely redesigned by someone who has an eye for design. Although this definitely won’t be a cheap option, it’s a great way to ensure you don’t have to redecorate in a couple of years time.

Hire A Removal Team To Help You With Packing And Moving

If you don’t think you’re going to be able to handle the move alone, hiring a removal team is the best way to go. Whilst you may want to do all of you’re packing yourself, the removal team will be able to expertly move all of your boxes and furniture from one place to the next. 

After All Of The Stress, You Are Now Homeowners!

Although the whole experience is probably going to be incredibly stressful, it’s important that you remember it will be worth it. In a couple of months, you’ll be sitting in your newly decorated home enjoying your first ever night of freedom.

Are you going to be first-time homeowners soon? What do you need to think about beforehand? Let me know in the comments section below.