First time buyer tips/advice needed please!

[FoofFighter]

We know little about buying/mortgages, where do you start?!

Have a browse on some of the money websites - moneynet.co.uk or similar - have a look at the mortgage section where there are various calculators where you can put in your income and it tells you what you might be able to borrow. Then work out what those repayments might be and whether you'll be able to afford that. Adjust the mortgage amount up and down to see how it affects the repayments. Maybe have a chat with your bank to see if they have any preferable rates / offers.

Then have a look at what that mortgage amount will buy you in the area (and surrounding areas) you're interested in. Look at nethouseprices to see what houses actually sold for (rather than what they were marketed for) as there might be a difference. Also worth looking at Zoopla - it will tell you have long properties have been on the market and whether they've been reduced - gives an indication of what is selling / whether sale prices are realistic etc. Have a list of things you want - and work through it logically. Think about how long you're going to be there - if you have / want a family, factor in schools etc as it is expensive to keep moving. Register with a couple of agents so they have you in mind if a property comes onto the market that they think you might lilke. Wander round the areas you're looking at, walk down the streets, get a feel for the area.

Budget for the expenses - you'll have to apply for a mortgage (and most have some upfront fees), stamp duty, moving expenses, solicitors fees, furnishing it once you've bought somewhere etc).

fab thank you :) should say we are in Scotland and I know the system for offers differes a bit but not sure anything else does

OH has seen a property already, it went up yesterday. It's the first time that buying has been seriously thought about!

He has an early finish today and wanted to pop into his bank for a rough idea of how much mortgage he could get/rough repayments etc.

I think you're likely to need an appointment with a mortgage advisor, Foof. They'll want to see copies of your payslips/P60s and details of what your other income, outgoings and loans are before they'll be able to tell you how much they're prepared to lend. Our most recent mortgage appointment lasted 1.5 hours!

Just a suggestion that London & Country are a free mortgage broker, you deal with them over the phone/email. We used them for our last few mortgage deals and found them really helpful - they discuss your options without pressure and chase up your application with the lender.

Enjoy house hunting