Buying your first home can be exciting and daunting at the same time. Let us guide you through the whole process so that things go as smoothly as possible. We are more than just Hampshire property solicitors.

[custom_blockquote style=”blue”]We have many years’ experience of helping first time buyers – in all kinds of market conditions. [/custom_blockquote]
Our job is to help you by:

Getting you organised
We will make sure you have all the documentation you need to be ‘buyer ready’ and can recommend someone to help you with the financial side too.

Keeping things moving
We pride ourselves in being very proactive. We always try to anticipate potential hold ups and sort them out in good time. Often we draw on our good relationships with agents, developers, surveyors and mortgage lenders to do so.

Explaining what is what
The jargon and the process can be baffling at times. We cut through all of that to highlight what you need to know in straightforward, everyday language.

Thinking about the wider context
There are non-legal matters to consider, such as qualifying for a mortgage, which can be challenging and may be helped by not applying for other credit in the 6 months prior to applying.

Here are some good tips for first time buyers from us:
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• On an initial inspection try not to treat the house as a home but simply as a building that needs inspecting.
• Even in a fast-moving market, it’s a bad idea to buy unseen. The more often you view a house, the more likely you are to spot potential problems before you move in.
• View the property three or four times, at different times of day, to find out what it’s really like.
• Look at the structure of the building. For example, if there are hairline cracks in the walls, investigate further.
• Be wary of damp, check as thoroughly as you can, and keep your nose open as damp can give off a musty smell even if you don’t see physical signs.
• If you do spot faults, you shouldn’t necessarily be put off buying, but you should get a professional opinion and use this to renegotiate the price.
• Spend 15 to 30 minutes looking around the property, and then at least half an hour walking around the general area.
• Find out what the area is like at rush hour, when the pubs close, at weekends and on a weekday. Try to drive from the property to work or school during rush hour to check your commute.
• The seller doesn’t have to tell you about problems, and they may try to hide them. Common cover-ups include painting over damp, putting furniture in front of cracks, or rugs over floor problems. People may also be vague about who owns gardens and parking spaces.
• People often think they’ve had a proper survey when they’ve simply had a mortgage valuation. This is for the benefit of the mortgage provider, not you, and you should get a proper survey done.

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Inevitably you will be focused on buying your new home. Our job is to think about the wider legal and financial implications to ensure you are aware of them and make the correct choices.

[custom_blockquote style=”blue”]To find out more about our practical and proactive approach call us on 01420 82881 or email mailto:enquiries@bookersandbolton.co.uk.[/custom_blockquote]