| There are plenty of ways in which you, as a potential | | | | loans that you already have, this will help. You should |
| buyer, can improve your chances of making a | | | | avoid spending any large amounts just before you |
| successful offer for your ideal home. If you appear to | | | | apply for your mortgage, and particularly borrowing |
| be a serious, secure and easy person for the seller | | | | any other money. If you are considering leaving your |
| and Realtor to deal with, then they are more likely to | | | | current job then you may want to wait until after you |
| accept your offer - and may even be willing to accept | | | | have your mortgage, since you will appear more |
| less than the asking price in order to ensure a quick | | | | reliable if you have a steady history in the same |
| and efficient sale. You can also make yourself a | | | | company. It can also be a good idea to check your |
| better bet for lenders, by making sure your credit | | | | own credit rating as if three are any mistakes you can |
| history is as good as it can be, and that your financial | | | | get them corrected before you try to get your |
| situation is strong and secure. | | | | mortgage. |
| You can begin the work before you have found the | | | | The types of loans which will be available to you will |
| house you want to buy, and even before you have | | | | be affected by your credit rating and the size of the |
| started looking. If you are a first time buyer, either | | | | deposit you will be able to make. If you can make a |
| because you do not currently own a property or | | | | larger deposit you will probably be offered a better |
| because you have never bought a house before, you | | | | rate on your mortgage, and you will also be able to |
| will usually be at an advantage, because you will be | | | | borrow more money. However, it is a good idea not to |
| able to guarantee a quick sale rather than leaving the | | | | borrow too much, even if you have got a sizable |
| seller waiting until you can get rid of your current | | | | amount available as a deposit. You don't want to end |
| property. | | | | up struggling to make your repayments. If you do not |
| Chains of buyers can build up, each waiting for their | | | | have much money saved up yourself, then it can be a |
| buyer to sell a house to someone who is waiting to sell | | | | good idea to try borrowing some money towards your |
| their own house before they can buy it. If you can | | | | deposit from a close relative who is willing to help you |
| break the chain and buy quickly, you will be more | | | | out. Many parents are happy to give their children a |
| attractive to sellers, particularly if they are in a hurry. If | | | | helping hand onto the property ladder by contributing |
| you do already own a home, you can improve your | | | | something towards the deposit. |
| chances if you sell it before you try and buy your new | | | | Deciding on what price to offer is a tricky business. It |
| home. This will mean that you can buy as quickly as a | | | | can be a good idea to negotiate, particularly if you think |
| first time buyer. If you end up with a gap between the | | | | the price is a little high, but you don't want to begin with |
| sale of your old home and your purchase of the new | | | | an offer that is too low as it will not endear you to the |
| one then you can always arrange to stay with a fiend | | | | seller. When you are deciding on your offer you should |
| or relative, or spend a few nights at a hotel. | | | | consider factors such as the prices of similar |
| It is also a good idea to make sure that you have | | | | properties in the same area and any repairs that will |
| organized your finance before you make an offer on | | | | need to be done on the property. |
| a house. Again, this will speed up the process, which | | | | It is vital that you communicate well with everyone |
| will make the person you are buying from happy. It will | | | | who is involved in the process. Make sure that you are |
| also convince sellers that you are a reliable buyer who | | | | readily available for phone calls, emails or meetings, |
| is not going to waste their time and have to pull out | | | | and that you make sure you reply as soon as possible |
| due to lack of funds. Realtors will also tend to prefer | | | | to any queries and supply all necessary paperwork on |
| buyers who they know are pre-approved for a | | | | time. If you are confused about what is required then |
| mortgage. | | | | ask about it rather than worrying or ignoring it. If you |
| You can make yourself a more viable borrower by | | | | are going away then try to keep in touch as much as |
| improving your credit rating before you attempt to take | | | | you can, and let everyone know if they will not be able |
| out a mortgage. If you can pay off any credit cards or | | | | to reach you. |