{"id":4262,"date":"2019-10-28T16:09:18","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T16:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.credit-score.com\/blog\/?p=4262"},"modified":"2022-08-23T09:19:28","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T09:19:28","slug":"first-time-buyer-pitfalls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/","title":{"rendered":"The top 6 first time buyer pitfalls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Buying your first property is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make and amounts for the largest debt you are likely to take on in your lifetime. The knowledge of this, alongside the fact that you need to raise a large deposit, touch up your credit report, and find the right place can make this a really stressful and anxiety-driven time for you. Now, here you are, reading an article called \u2018The top 6 first time buyer pitfalls\u2019 and your stress levels are probably through the roof. The good news is, we\u2019re highlighting the pitfalls so you don\u2019t fall into them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">What&#039;s Included?<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#First_time_buyer_pitfalls_in_brief\" >First time buyer pitfalls in brief:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Dont_choose_a_building_that_lenders_dont_like\" >Don\u2019t choose a building that lenders don\u2019t\nlike<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Get_a_good_survey_done_on_the_property_you_are_buying\" >Get a good survey done on the property you are buying<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#RICS_Condition_Report\" >RICS Condition Report<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#RICS_HomeBuyer_Report\" >RICS HomeBuyer Report<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#RICS_Building_Survey\" >RICS Building Survey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Location_location_location\" >Location location location<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Dont_rush_into_buying_your_property\" >Don\u2019t rush into buying your property<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Take_your_time_when_choosing_your_property\" >Take your time when choosing your property<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Make_sure_you_prepare_your_credit_report\" >Make sure you prepare your credit report<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Set_aside_more_money_than_just_your_deposit_for_your_property\" >Set aside more money than just your deposit for your property<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-pitfalls\/#Credit-Score_offers_two_fabulous_solutions\" >Credit-Score offers two fabulous solutions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_time_buyer_pitfalls_in_brief\"><\/span>First time buyer pitfalls in brief:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure the property you\u2019re buying has standard\nconstruction and doesn\u2019t have anything unusual about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose a survey based on the condition of the property, not\non the cost of the survey<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you think about the location of the property \u2013\nvisit it at a few different times of day to get an idea of the noise and visit\nthe local shops and supermarket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t rush into any decisions \u2013 take time to research the\narea, the mortgage types, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_choose_a_building_that_lenders_dont_like\"><\/span>Don\u2019t choose a building that lenders don\u2019t\nlike<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First among first time buyer pitfalls: if there\u2019s anything unusual or non-standard about the property, your lender might not like it. This is usually the case for any building that is built with non-standard materials such as having a thatched roof or a timber frame (anything other than brick and mortar). In some cases, if you\u2019re buying a flat in a high-rise building, a building close to the sea, or a <a href=\"https:\/\/historicengland.org.uk\/advice\/your-home\/owning-historic-property\/listed-building\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">grade 1 listed property,<\/a> then you might struggle to get the lender to agree to lend to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning on buying a non-standard constructed\nhouse, or any of the others above, then you may need to find a specialist\nlender. Check with a professional on this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_a_good_survey_done_on_the_property_you_are_buying\"><\/span>Get a good survey done on the property you are buying<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s one of the first time buyer pitfalls that isn&#8217;t immediately obvious: When you buy a house, you typically need to get a survey done on the home you are buying \u2013 sometimes this is simply a mortgage valuation survey. This is often for the lender, so they can get a good idea of the condition and value of the property. This survey can also help you get an understanding of the property you\u2019re buying. You can use information found by this report to negotiate a lower offer on the property or to simply have a good idea of the likely costs to make necessary repairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While a thorough survey can be relatively pricey, they tend to save you a lot of money further down the line as you could find yourself paying out a lot in repairs. You shouldn\u2019t choose which survey to take based on the cost \u2013 of course, you\u2019re aiming to save money, but you should ideally choose which survey to do based on the condition of the property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RICS_Condition_Report\"><\/span>RICS Condition Report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The cheapest survey you can get is a simple RICS Condition\nReport. This simply describes the condition of the property and identifies any\nrisks and potential legal issues. If there are any urgent problems with the\nproperty, then this will also be highlighted in this report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to use this survey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re buying a new-build property or a conventional\nproperty that appears to be in good condition, then this would be suitable for\nyou. and highlights any urgent defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This costs around \u00a3250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RICS_HomeBuyer_Report\"><\/span>RICS HomeBuyer Report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This report is a little pricier, but it will help you find out more about the structure of the property, whether or not there\u2019s a chance or evidence of damp or subsidence. This report can identify whether there are any hidden issues, either inside or outside the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that nothing will be looked at underneath\nthe floorboards or behind any walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, the HomeBuyer report includes a valuation of\nthe property. If the property is valued at lower than the asking price, you may\nbe able to use this valuation to revise your offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The report also gives you suggestions for any repairs that\nneed to be made to the property. If there are a lot of things that need\nrepairing, you can use this information to drop the price of the house by a\ncertain amount or ask that the repairs are made prior to completion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to use this survey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This survey is suitable for standard and conventional\nproperties that are I a good or reasonable condition. It\u2019s a lot more detailed,\nso it can save you a great deal of money in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a3400<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RICS_Building_Survey\"><\/span>RICS Building Survey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is very similar to the HomeBuyer Report, but it follows\na rating system to help you identify what problems need sorting out more\nurgently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This survey is very in-depth, highlighting any issues with\nthe property and giving advice on repairs or maintenance options. You also\nreceive advice sheets which tell you how to deal with some of the problems\noutlined. You\u2019ll receive a list of options on the repairs you may need to take\nand information on what will happen if these problems aren\u2019t sorted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to use this survey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are buying an older property or are planning on making\nany major changes to the property, then this would be suitable for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a3400-\u00a3500<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Location_location_location\"><\/span>Location location location<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another of the many first time buyer pitfalls is choosing the wrong location or choosing an expensive location. Finding the perfect house might feel like a colossal task, so it\u2019s easy to disregard the area. You want to check the crime rates of the local area, as this will affect the costs of insurance. You\u2019ll also want to make sure it\u2019s not an area that\u2019s susceptible to flooding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s great to have your dream house, but if the neighbours\nare noisy or you\u2019re next to a busy road or trainline then you might find\nyourself wishing you had put a little bit of research into the location of your\nproperty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of cost \u2013 if you\u2019re happy to be flexible with some\nkey factors then you could easily find a property that suits you in a cheaper\nlocation. If you choose a nice part of a cheaper area then the value of your\nproperty is more likely to rise over time, so it works out as a great\ninvestment choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning on buying in London, then you can check out our list of the cheaper areas to buy your first home <a href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/cheapest-first-homes-london\/\">here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_rush_into_buying_your_property\"><\/span>Don\u2019t rush into buying your property<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an exciting time for you, that part\u2019s obvious, but first-time buyers often find themselves rushing into decisions, either because they\u2019re conscious that great properties get snapped up too quickly, or simply that they believe they\u2019ve found the perfect property straight away. This makes for one of many easy first-time buyer pitfalls. Try not to run wild, as you could find yourself later wishing you had a better look. You also want to make sure you take the time to iron out any problems on your credit report and potentially build up your creditworthiness \u2013 if you don\u2019t leave yourself enough time to do this then you could be offered a much higher rate. This is also the case for choosing your mortgage provider \u2013 do your research, don\u2019t just go with the first one that you find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try not to choose a property because you can\u2019t find the one you like and believe that it, therefore, does not exist. You may need to wait a little to see what comes on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_your_time_when_choosing_your_property\"><\/span>Take your time when choosing your property<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Allow yourself some time to research everything thoroughly \u2013\nthe local area, the crime rates, the local school catchment areas, the nearby\nshopping centres and supermarkets, and everything you can about the house you\nare planning on buying. Make sure you know how long your commute to work will\nbe, and how much it will cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, try not to get too emotionally invested in a\nproperty before a survey has been done. If problems arise that could be costly\nand you\u2019re not able to get a reduction on your offer, then you may need to walk\naway and find another. It\u2019s easy to let your emotions have control here, but\nthis can lead to costly repairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_sure_you_prepare_your_credit_report\"><\/span>Make sure you prepare your credit report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet another of the first-time buyer pitfalls to consider: Your credit report is easily one of the most important parts of taking out a mortgage \u2013 it could even be the make or break for you, so you want to make sure it\u2019s well polished. It\u2019s a complete myth that checking your report has an impact on your credit score (not to mention that your credit score isn\u2019t used by lenders anyway!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some key tips to help you keep your\ncreditworthiness in good shape and make you are more attractive applicant: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use your available credit sparingly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to only use your available credit sparingly (and in the\ncase of your overdraft, not at all). Aim to only use up to 10% of your credit\nlimit on your credit card to help build up your creditworthiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t exceed your credit limits <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceeding your credit limit suggests that you are struggling to manage your finances, so if this is the case \u2013 it\u2019s likely that you can\u2019t afford the extra payments that will come with the mortgage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t miss payments<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Missed payments on your credit report don\u2019t look good to\nlenders, especially when applying for a mortgage. Lenders want to know that\nthey\u2019ll be paid back on time. If your credit report doesn\u2019t prove that you do,\nthen you\u2019re less likely to be accepted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get errors corrected and removed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If there are errors on your credit report, don\u2019t just brush\nthem off. Make sure you get them corrected and removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Register to vote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Registering to vote is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your creditworthiness so if you move to a new house, make sure you register right away to make sure you keep up a longstanding history of being registered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t make too many applications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Hard searches on your credit report can have small negative\nimpacts on your creditworthiness, even if you are accepted. This is because you\ncould look like you\u2019re desperate for credit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joint applications use both of your reports<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Be aware that if you\u2019re applying for a mortgage with another\nperson, then both of your credit reports will be checked. Sit down together and\ngo through your credit reports to make sure you\u2019re both creditworthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can sign up for Credit-Score.com for free and view your\npersonalised booster tips \u2013 it doesn\u2019t have any impact on your\ncreditworthiness! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_aside_more_money_than_just_your_deposit_for_your_property\"><\/span>Set aside more money than just your deposit for your property<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, first-time buyers will stop saving as soon as they have the deposit they need. Don\u2019t do this. Research how much more you will need to pay for all of the extra costs that come with buying a new home. Here\u2019s a list of all the things you can expect to spend money on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mortgage arrangement fee- this is the fee that you will have to pay to the lender to arrange your mortgage for you. <\/li><li>Stamp duty \u2013 this is also known as land tax \u2013 the amount you pay depends on the value of the property. You can find online stamp duty calculators which will help you work out how much stamp duty you will pay.<\/li><li>Legal fees &#8211; always get a quote prior to starting any work with a solicitor. You\u2019ll want to hire one for your contracts, land registry, stamp duty, and the transfer of funds. <\/li><li>Survey and valuation fees \u2013 as mentioned previously, you may need to pay survey and valuation fees. <\/li><li>Land Registry \u2013 this is a fee to be registered with the Government\u2019s Land Registry department.<\/li><li>Furniture, maintenance, renovations, and decorating costs &#8211; you don\u2019t want to buy a home, move in, and realise that you have no furniture and no money to buy any.<\/li><li>Removal services \u2013 the cost of this will depend on whether you decide to hire a company or simply hire a van. Find out ahead of time how much it will cost you.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Credit-Score_offers_two_fabulous_solutions\"><\/span>Credit-Score offers two fabulous solutions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re preparing to take a mortgage, never apply until you\u2019ve tried our unique and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/home.credit-score.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FREE Credit-Score Home app.<\/a>&nbsp;Our smart technology will tell you what you need to fix so you avoid rejection. The app predicts when you will be able to buy, for how much and tracks your month-by-month progress to mortgage success. We\u2019ve even added your own mortgage broker, so you get the best deals available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More focused on your credit rating? Well, get started for free with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Credit-Score\u2019s 24- Factor Credit Check<\/a>&nbsp;to truly help you improve your creditworthiness and how lenders view you. (Remember: lenders don\u2019t use your credit score! We\u2019ll show you what lenders look for and how to get your credit report in the best shape possible).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Last updated by Oliver Macmillan, May 2022<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Buying your first property is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make and amounts for the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":4263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[475,272,474,273,270],"tags":[479,477,338,478,476],"class_list":{"0":"post-4262","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-buyers","8":"category-homeownership","9":"category-homes","10":"category-mortgage-process","11":"category-mortgages","12":"tag-buying-first-home","13":"tag-first-time-buyer","14":"tag-home","15":"tag-homeownership","16":"tag-pitfalls"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/photo-1464082354059-27db6ce50048.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/admin\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The top 6 first time buyer pitfalls to avoid | Credit-Score UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"First time buyer pitfalls are not always obvious at first glance. 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