Category: Buying

If you’ve reached that momentous stage in life where settling down and starting a family is your number one priority, you’ll need to think about finding a home which will support your expanding brood. There are a few things to consider when it comes to searching for the perfect family home, so let’s take a look.

Size – This is the most obvious place to begin. If you’re looking for a family home, it will obviously need to be big enough to accommodate all family members. Ideally, you’d be looking at least three bedrooms so there’s enough room for growth and a long term, but you can be creative if the budget doesn’t stretch that far. A two bed with ample double bedrooms could work well for several years, and there are some great space saving options available like module furniture and bunk beds to help you fill the home without it looking too cramped.

Location – Another crucial aspect is the location of the property. As a younger person you may love the convenience and social scene that comes from living in a busy part of town, but once you have children chances are living among buzzing clubs and bars is not going to be top of your priorities list.

Choose an area which is quiet enough for the kids to be able to sleep, but close enough to local amenities to enable you to still access the things you need and busy enough to stop you going stir
crazy. When it comes to location, you’ll need to also consider

Schools – With Britain’s population growing at a rapid rate it can be tricky getting into the school of your choice, and unless you’re in catchment you can pretty much forget it. Do your research into local schools and their catchment areas before you commit to moving somewhere you may regret later down the line.

Transport – Sometimes things go wrong with cars so even if you’ve bought the perfect family vehicle it’s wise to have a back-up plan. An area with good local transport can be a godsend if the car breaks down or you’re sharing one vehicle between the two of you- it will also serve you well in the long term once the kids are old enough to start exploring the world on their own.

Green Space – Kids love parks. If you can find an area packed with green spaces and play areas there’s a good chance your children will have years of fun there- it’s also a great way to encourage exercise and well-being longer term.

Crime – Nobody wants to raise their children in an area where they’ll be at risk of being affected by crime, so do lots of research before moving. Areas that suffer from gang crime are an obvious no-no, likewise anywhere where there are lots of muggings, drug use and anti-social behaviour.

Like most things in life, it all comes down to good planning. If you’re preparing for a family, think of the bigger picture and make sure you do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

Get in touch with us today if you have any questions on finding your perfect home.

Buying a home is a major financial commitment. That’s something UK lenders agree on too, which is why the mortgage lending rules of today are much stricter than they were ten, or even five years ago. That means before you start house hunting, it is important that your finances are in order. The best way to do this is to speak with a professional, who can help you understand your budget and potentially give you tips that will improve your chances of securing the best mortgage available for you when the time comes.

To help ensure your mortgage application runs smoothly and that you can secure the maximum amount that you can borrow, there are a few things you can do. Here are some steps you can take to help secure the mortgage you need, to buy the home you want.

1. Review your existing finance arrangements

Mortgage lenders analyse all your spending commitments, so take a look at your own finances beforehand and pin down all your necessary outgoings. If you have existing loans, work out if there’s any way you can condense them, or even eliminate some.
If you have major existing financial loan commitments, it will reduce the amount the lender considers you can comfortably afford to repay on your mortgage each month.

2. Never miss credit repayments

Keeping on top of your finances and always making any credit repayments on time is essential if you want a mortgage. Where you do have a loan, credit card or credit agreement in place, you need to ensure that you always make your repayment date and amount. If you are a regular and reliable repayor of credit, then that will demonstrate to a lender that they can rely on you to make your regular monthly mortgage payments, too.

It will help improve your credit score and show that you are a responsible borrower.

3. Save as big a deposit as possible

The bigger the deposit, the better interest rate you will get on your mortgage. If you can secure a lower mortgage interest rate, this means you will be paying less interest on the mortgage that you are borrowing.

4. A steady employment history

Moving jobs can be excellent for your career and also your earnings. However, too much chopping and changing isn’t always viewed positively by your potential mortgage lender. So, if you can show a steady employment history, that helps to highlight you as a responsible and reliable applicant.

5. Get a copy of your credit score

You should be able to do this through a number of credit scoring companies, and for free. By finding out what your credit score is you’ll know if your mortgage application is likely to be successful at the
level you’re anticipating. If your credit score is not as good as you thought, then you can take steps to improve it – most of which we have already detailed above. After some months of improving your finances and credit
scoring, you are likely to be in a better position to apply for a mortgage with the hopes of achieving the maximum amount that your income dictates.

The journey of buying a home and applying for a mortgage is not always smooth sailing as one would hope! However, if you can get your finances in order ahead of your mortgage application, the whole process should be just that bit less stressful and result in you being able to purchase the home you really want. Get in touch with our very own in-house mortgage advisor today.

Despite all the ups and downs of the economy, investing in property is still one of the safest and most lucrative things you can do with your money. We have a population crisis in the UK and demand for housing is far outweighing supply. With developers being unable to build properties fast enough and a call for more affordable housing options, people are queuing up for decent properties.

One thing that’s certain is that people will always need somewhere to call home, but investing in property takes knowledge, preparation and an eye for a good deal. If you’re looking to invest for the first time, here are a few things that you need to remember to make the experience easier and more rewarding.

Believe in yourself

One of the most important things that successful investors all have in common is solid, unwavering self-belief. That’s easier said than done in the early days, but as Walt Disney once said, “If you dream it, you can achieve it.” Entrepreneurs are skilled at convincing themselves and others that they can achieve anything they want in life, and it all starts with having a positive mindset. If you struggle, read books on the Law of Attraction for a little inspiration and surround yourself with like minded people. It won’t guarantee your success, but it will certainly get you heading in the right direction”.

Have a clear strategy

Lots of new investors make the mistake of going out there looking at all sorts of properties without having a clear idea of what they’re wanting to achieve long term. Being a successful investor means different things to different people; you might want to have a little nest egg for the future or be looking to completely give up work and create a huge multi million pound property portfolio. Think carefully about your long-term goals and aspirations and then look out for properties that can help you achieve them.

There are lots of different investment strategies to choose from too. You could buy a commercial property and convert it into HMOs (home of multiple occupancy), buy to let or renovate a repossession for a quick sale. Take your time, seek advice and look at all the different strategies so you understand which one works best for you. And don’t overdo it! Start with one project and you can then build your portfolio as your confidence grows.

Use your networks

The property game is all about making connections and rubbing shoulders with the right people. Attend as many networking events as you possibly can, get to know other investors and talk to people who might want to partner up on a joint venture. And make sure you get to know your local agents- when people like you and understand what you’re looking for you’ve got a much greater chance of being the first to hear about exciting new opportunities.

Work hard

Although for serious investors the ultimate aim is to just sit back and relax while the money works for you, be prepared to put some legwork in at the beginning. Successful property investors are prepared to work around the clock and go the extra mile to get what they want, so if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t like early starts and looking at properties in the evenings and weekends, this probably isn’t for you.

Keep your options open

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a phrase that’s particularly relevant for fledgling property investors. It’s easy to be so enthusiastic and excited in the early stages that you make snap decisions, but it’s wise to shop around before signing on the dotted line. Do your research, ask lots of questions and seek help from a mentor before you make your first purchase. If something seems like it’s too good to be true it usually is, so don’t feel pressured into buying a property if you’re not 100% confident about it.

Property is a great way to secure your future, but don’t go into it headfirst and read and learn as much as you possibly can before you make a start.
If you have any question or you’re looking to buy to invest, contact us today.