Buying your own home is one of the most exciting and best things you can do for yourself. But, of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. To find your perfect home as a first time buyer seems almost like winning the lottery, but it’s possible with with lots of hard work.

And with the help of agents, lawyers, family and friends, it is worth it. They will help your research efforts and you’ll find preparation is everything. With that, when you sign on the dotted line, you’ll have not only a place of your own but an asset that could support you for the rest of your life.

Some Key Benefits to Owning Your own Home:

• You’re creating a financial asset that, depending on where you buy, is likely to increase in value
• With a mortgage, you’ll be paying yourself for accommodation, not someone else
• Relative security regarding increases 
• Freedom to decorate, subject to planning conditions
• Opportunities to make money short term by renting out space, also subject to conditions

Find your perfect home: Common Problems when buying

Finding your perfect home and actually getting it does not come without difficulties. We aspire and look for what we believe is our perfect apartment, flat or house. And we idealise certain areas, possibly because of who else lives there, what shops and restaurants are based there or the look and feel of the area.

Without unlimited funds, managing our own expectations will be one of the most painful parts in the process of buying. But it can also help you find your perfect home and avoid buying something which later turns out to be unsuitable. So ask yourself, where is your dream area? How do you decide what is a sensible area? Where is affordable? What area would be a good investment? And how far is it from work and friends and family? Deciding where to buy and live is both exciting and difficult.

Here are some of our top tips for zooming in on an area:

• Follow the train track: What stations do you use most often?
• Identify the train lines from there – where do they lead to?
• Note all the stops on those lines
• Search properties within a 2-mile radius
• You’ll discover areas you may not even have heard of
• A home in any of those places, near the stations, will be very convenient

Some questions to ask your Estate Agent:

• The number of viewings so far?
• Has the area changed in the last few years?
• How long has the property you’re viewing been on the market?
• Any offers yet?
• If a previous sale fell through, why?
• Why is the seller selling?

It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement of the process. But amazing as it is to get your hands on a gorgeous new flat or house, be your own devil’s advocate to avoid problems down the line. Happy house hunting!