More:
» Process in England, Wales & NI » Process in Scotland

It is a good idea to look at a range of properties, even if you are unsure whether you will buy them, just to get an idea of what is available and what is good value for money. That way, when you come across a property that you really like, you will be much more confident in knowing it's the right one for you.

When viewing a property, don't be afraid to ask essential questions.

When you're excited about looking around a potential new home, it's very easy to forget what important things to look for.

Here are some tips when viewing:

» If you see a property you like, try to see it more than once - especially at different times of the day or in the evening. A quiet street on a Saturday afternoon may have a lot of weekday rush-hour traffic.
If you are buying alone, try to view with a friend/relative - they may notice things you have overlooked.
» If you are looking at a lot of properties, it can become difficult to remember which ones you liked and why. Make notes as you go listing the pros and cons of each.
» You will be able to rationalise these later.
» Look closely at fixtures and fittings, check appliances and taps, are there any obvious signs of damp? » Some problems are easy to fix, whilst others could be quite expensive. If you are concerned get a builder/plumber/electrician/damp specialist in to look at the property too (If the seller has nothing to hide, they won't mind!)
» Always enquire about service charges/ground rent/council tax.
Find out why the property is for sale and how long it has been on the market for.
Find out what the seller's timescale is for moving. A short time scale may help your bargaining position
Establish if the sellers are in a chain.
Establish what is included in the sale e.g. carpets, curtains, oven, washing machine
Advise the seller that you are a first time buyer as any offer that you make may be more readily accepted by the seller who knows that you can move faster than someone with a property to sell
Don't get too attached to a house until you know it's definitely yours. This helps you keep an open mind on other places you look at.

Step 2
» Making an offer