Budget accurately: It is vital that you are realistic with how much you can afford and ensure the mortgage is affordable. It is also important to allow for furnishing and potential repairs. There may be other additional costs such as conveyancing and stamp duty.

Ask for a second opinion: When viewing properties for the first time, there are a number of things that need to be looked at in detail which you may miss. That's why we suggest taking an experienced home buyer with you. They will be able to help check for any problems with the house that may make it unsuitable for you.

Bills: Remember to budget for any bills such as council tax, gas & electric, etc.

Local facilities: Before starting the hunt for a new property, write down a list of local amenities that are important to you (schools, shops, gyms etc). When viewing any potential homes, check to see if the property is close by the items on the list. It is also worth noting that properties with more local amenities will be easier to resell.

Commute time: Commuting can be a fairly costly expense depending on the chosen form of transportation. Minimising the commuting distance can greatly bring down the cost. Even if a property closer to your place of work is more expensive, make sure you weigh out the additional expense in comparison to commuting the extra distance.

Transportation: Check the public transportation routes in the local area (bus, trains, etc).

Internet availability: If you need fast internet, check the available speeds before making the decision. You can check this with the estate agent.

Council Tax: Make sure the council tax is affordable within your budget. The estate agent should be able to help or use the local council's council tax calculator.

Car Insurance: If you have a car, check the premium with your insurance company as some areas are more expensive to insure than others.