If only I could afford this beauty of a house...
Check your Credit Score
Some sights may require payment for this but if you use noddle, it is completely free. Always a bonus! Checking to see if you have a good credit score will be beneficial because the better your score is, the more attractive you will be as potential buyers. Things like being on the electoral roll will improve your credit score so this is something worthwhile doing - obviously for more reasons than just getting your credit score - use your vote wisely!
Get a Credit Card
This is something that has been recommended to us a few times. If you are worried about it, you could always set up a direct debit so that you know you will pay it back every single month. If I decide to get one, I'll definitely only be putting things like my petrol on it so that it's not a huge expense. This will help boost your credit score too so that is definitely a plus.
Know your stuff
Before researching into it a little bit, I didn't really understand all of the hidden costs of buying a house. Obviously, a deposit is necessary but naively, I didn't even consider the solicitor's costs which are going to be very important. You'll also need to consider things like buying a lease-hold property (usually flats) or a free-hold property. There are lots more things I need to learn but even having a vague idea helps.
Saving Strategies
There are so many schemes out there for first time buyers. I'd recommend doing some research and then making a choice about the type of scheme you want to go for. There are some where you can add a government loan to your mortgage, and others where the government will give you a quarter of what you are saving when you buy the house. There will be a right one and a wrong one so everyone, so do you research!
Look into your mortgage
Despite being a little way off yet, I know how much of a mortgage I am likely to get from a few different places. I think this is important because it cements a goal of saving. Even though you will have a rough idea anyway, this will help you to realise your budget for buying a house - which in turn will help you have an idea of places you can afford i.e where I live absolutely nowhere!
These are most practical tips about preparing yourself to buy the house, although you'll probably want to find a blog post about the actual process as I haven't done this yet of course. I'd love to read some more posts about this so if you have one please link it to me.
What advice would you give to someone either saving for, or buying, a house?
Great post lovely! Good luck with the savings, I know you are going to achieve your dreams xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope so, and hopefully by the end of this year! Saving can be tough but will be so worth it when we're finally in our own home xx
DeleteI'm on this savings fun at the moment too! I got a work credit card which is handy as in my name but then I don't need to worry about ever spending too much on it!
ReplyDeleteJasmin Charlotte
Savings are fun fun fun! Once you get into a habit of it though it gets better and so much more satisfying than wasting it all. Oooh thats so helpful! Definitely going to look good on your credit score XXx
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