Becoming a home owner for the first time can be both a wonderful and slightly daunting experience. We take a look at some good tips on taking the first step onto the property ladder.

There are numerous reasons why thousands of us decide to buy properties each year. For some of us it may be that we have tired of paying a monthly or weekly rent to a landlord. Maybe we're tired of "wasting" money in this way and want to finally have something of our own to show for it.

If you're already considering buying a property then you probably know about the many advantages that come with home ownership. As a home owner, you'll have far greater control over your living conditions. If you buy wisely, you'll also have a good investment on your hands.

There are, of course, other aspects to home ownership. Once you purchase a property you'll find that you are now responsible for the maintenance and repair of your new home. Time to brush up on your DIY skills, or put some money aside to pay for some professional help!

Let's begin by looking at the key first step when you come to buying your own home: finance. Finance can be a dry and rather dull topic but it is vital to think about your budget before you start looking for potential properties.

It's worth setting out a budget, including the various costs that you are likely to incur when you purchase the property. If necessary, this may mean talking to an independent financial adviser or a mortgage broker before taking any further steps.

You'll need to make sure that you know how much finance is going to be available to you. Can you afford the type of property that you want? Have you got a reasonable sum to act as a deposit? Have you considered additional fees, such as paying for conveyancing and any taxes?

All of these things have to be considered before you proceed. You need to be aware of how much you can afford to spend on your home and how much the monthly repayments will be on any loan or mortgage that you take out.

Now that you've got the boring stuff out of the way, it's time for the fun to begin - you can get in touch with estate agents and start looking round properties!

Before speaking to agents, make sure that you are clear on your requirements. If you are looking for a 2 bedroom house in the centre of town, then don't be persuaded to look round a 1 bedroom flat in the suburbs - there's no point wasting your time, just to be polite.

Maintain focus on the type of property that you are looking for and on your budget. If you're not familiar with property maintenance then it will be worth taking a checklist with you of problems to look out for when viewing a property.

Finally...and this is absolutely vital - before you purchase a property, make sure that you have a survey carried out. Although a professional surveyor will cost money, their expertise may save you far more.


Keith Barrett has written about property and Winchester estate agents, as well as on investments in general. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.