You simply must discuss and agree upon the sort of property you are looking for with your partner.
You should obtain as much information as possible before viewing properties for sale. The most important information to gather should be your own needs and preferences. This forms the guide you and your chosen agent will use in sifting through the available properties.
Identify Deal Breakers
Identify your needs or "deal breakers". These are things that absolutely have to be there, or not be there, for you to even consider making an offer.
Are you planning to raise a family? If so, the number of bedrooms, good sized living room, garden, as well as external factors such as nurseries, schools, shops etc., become high priority.
If you are looking for a retirement home you would tend towards a bungalow-type property with easy access, and those extras such as a second garage, a spare bedroom or office are not so important.
On the other hand, if you are young and single, a one or two bed apartment with good nightlife nearby may suit you just fine.
Identify Desirable Extras
Also identify the extras that you would like in a home. These are things that would be nice to have, but which you could add later if the price compensates for its absence.
It is much easier to find something if you know what you're looking for! So, be thorough and positive about your needs and wants before you approach your property buying.
Where do you want to buy?
At this stage, you should have some idea of the area that you would like to live.
The wider your choice of area the better, as you will have more properties to choose from, so be flexible; if the agent suggests viewing a property out of your chosen area, then do so.
Be sure as well that you have prioritised the facilities you need nearby, both currently and for the duration of your proposed stay at the property, e.g. schools, shops, post office, church, etc.
How much can you spend?
For the first time buyer, property buying can be a very exciting prospect, and searching through the property press while dreaming of what you may of may not be able to afford cannot be helped. But you need to find out how you are going to finance the purchase, and have a maximum amount that you can realistically afford before you waste your time and possible expense in pursuing properties you cannot afford.
You can decide on the property you would like to buy before you gain a loan approval, however, it is advisable to get a Loan Approval on Principle. This approval is then subject to the property valuation and survey, but at least you are in a better position to buy quickly once you have found the right property.
Looking for property
You should have the ground work done, and a firm idea of what you are looking for, so you can register with estate agents and auctioneers who cover your chosen area, and since they want your business, they should be receptive in providing you with suitable properties as and when they become available. However, this often cannot be relied upon, so you will have to actively pursue other avenues of house searching such as hunting down the private seller; look out for empty properties, they are often on the private market. Another avenue to investigate is the Internet.
Viewing a property
If the property is for sale through an agent, arrange the viewing with them. They will normally accompany you but sometimes they may make an appointment for the owner to show you around.
Make a mental note of the things you want to look at, and what you want to ask the owner or agent, and make notes while you are there to help you remember what you have seen. Don't let yourself be hurried around. You need to take in as much information as you can, so take your time examining every nook and cranny.
