Already picturing your dream home? Maybe you’ve imagined the colour of the front door, how you’ll style the living room, or what it’ll feel like to host your first housewarming. Perhaps you’ve spent hours scrolling through Rightmove or Zoopla, eyeing up new build homes in Manchester, Middleton or Rochdale.
But before you dive into house viewings or fall in love with a property you can’t afford, it’s a good idea to take a step back and get prepared. These early steps can make the whole experience smoother and help you avoid the most common first-time buyer mistakes. Here are six things to do before you start your house hunt.
1. Work out what you can actually afford
Before you start browsing new homes in the North West, get clear on your budget. This isn’t just considering what you’ve saved for a deposit, you’ll also need to think about what your bills and monthly repayments might look like.
It's easy to forget you’ll have legal fees, moving costs, mortgage fees, and you’ll probably want to set some money aside for furniture and a few bits to make the place feel like home.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea to speak to a mortgage advisor early on. They’ll help you figure out what’s realistic and what lenders are likely to offer you based on your income, savings and financial history. Or if you just want a quick estimate, why not try out our 60-second, new homes mortgage calculator here
2. Check your credit score
Your credit score can make a big difference to what kind of mortgage deals you’ll be offered. It’s one of the first things lenders will look at, and even a small difference in your score can affect your interest rate or how much they’re willing to lend.
You can check your credit score for free through sites like Experian or Clearscore. If it is not quite where you want it to be, small actions can help: pay bills on time, reduce your credit card balance, avoid taking out new finance, and make sure you’re registered to vote at your current address.
3. How to get an agreement in principle (AIP)
Once you’ve got a rough idea of your budget, the next step is to get a mortgage agreement in principle. This is something a lender can give you to say how much they’d likely be happy to lend based on your current circumstances.
It’s not a full mortgage offer, but it gives you a clear idea of your price range and shows estate agents and sellers that you’re ready to move when the time comes. It’s quick to arrange and doesn’t tie you into anything, so it’s worth having sorted before you start viewing homes.
4. Decide what is most important to you in a home
Before you start booking viewings, take a bit of time to think about what you actually want from a home. Not just what looks good on paper, but what’s really going to suit your lifestyle.
Maybe you want an extra bedroom for guests or a future home office. Perhaps an outdoor space is a must, or you want to be within walking distance of your favourite café or the train station. Some things will be essentials and others will just be nice to have. Knowing the difference will help you focus your search and stop you getting distracted by homes that aren’t quite right for you.
5. Explore different areas
Even if you’ve already got your heart set on a particular town or city, it’s still a good idea to spend a bit of time exploring alternative options. Visit different neighbourhoods, go for a walk, grab a coffee and imagine what it might feel like to live there day-to-day.
Think about your commute, access to green space, schools, parking and local shops. If you're planning to stay in your first home for a few years, it’s important the area works for you now and in the future.
6. Start gathering your paperwork
Once you’ve had an offer accepted, things can start moving quickly, so it’s worth getting everything together in advance.
You’ll typically need proof of ID, address and payslips or bank statements to show your income, and details of your deposit. If you’re getting a gifted deposit from family, you’ll usually need a letter confirming this too.
Being organised now means less chasing around later, and it can help the whole process run more smoothly when the time comes to apply for your mortgage.
Ready to find your first new home?
Once you’ve ticked off these six steps, you’ll be in a much better position to start looking at new homes with confidence. You’ll know what you can afford, be clear on what you want, and have everything ready for when the right home comes along.
At Kellen Homes, we have a fantastic range of new homes in the North West that are energy-efficient, easy to maintain and are located in key locations across the region.
You can also find more first time buyer tips from Kellen Homes here.
Kellen Homes is not regulated by the FCA and offers no mortgage advice so customers must take advice from a regulated mortgage adviser before proceeding.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up your mortgage repayments.
