Home Buyers Guide - Contents

Please note: The web pages in the 'guides' section are based on the Moving.ie Home Buyers Guide 2009. Some of this information may now be out of date. Please check with your advisors before acting on information contained within it.

0.  Introduction

1. 10 Steps to Buying Your First Home     

• Arrange Mortgage Approval in Principle
• Search for a property
• Make an offer / pay a booking deposit
• Hire a solicitor
• Mortgage Valuation
• Letter of offer
• Arrange a surveyors report
• Sign contracts
• Pre completion requirements
• Complete the purchase & get your keys                                                                                                 

2. Buying a home during the credit crunch

• Positives
• Lower Interest Rates
• Drop in Property Prices
• Increase in Mortgage Interest Relief
• Better than renting?
• Negatives
• Bigger Deposits
• Getting mortgage approval has become more difficult
• Steps to take straight away
• Protect your credit rating
• Manage your current account properly
• Do not extend your borrowings
• Save a deposit

3.   Money, Money, Money

• Upfront Costs:
• Deposit
• Stamp Duty
• Legal Fees
• Legal Outlays
• Valuation Fees
• Property Surveys
• Snag List
• Mortgage Fees
• Furnishing & Decorating
  
• Ongoing Costs
  

4. Choosing the Right property.  

• Make a wish list
• Decide if you’d prefer a house or an apartment
• Decide if you’d prefer a new or second hand property
• What to look for when viewing properties
• View lots and lots of properties
• Dealing with estate agents
• Find out as much information as possible
• Give away as little information as possible
• Give them a time limit
• Don’t be pressured into a quick decision
• Get mortgage approval in principle
• Establish your budget before speaking to the agent

                   
5. Mortgage Basics

• 10 Top Tips on Mortgages
• How much can I borrow?
• Would I be approved?
• Mortgage application process
• What is your credit rating?
• How can you check your credit rating?
• Can you still get a mortgage with a bad credit rating?
• What deposit will I need?
• Mortgage fees and costs

6. Choosing the type of mortgage:

• How to pick the best mortgage
• What are your plans over the coming years?
• Are there any flexible options you want in your mortgage?
• What types of interest rates are available?
• What type of interest rates should I choose?
• Consider Fees
• Choose the right mortgage term
• Picking a lender
• Things to do to help you get a mortgage
• Things to avoid when you are looking for a mortgage
• Get approval in principle so you are a ‘cash buyer’

7.  Help I can’t afford to buy – What are my options?  

• Speak to a mortgage broker
• Rent a room scheme
• Specialist Lenders
• Guarantor
• Buying with a friend or family member
• Affordable Housing Scheme
• Home Choice Loan Scheme
• Commute

8. Insurance

• Mortgage Protection (Life Insurance)
• House Insurance (structural cover)
• Serious Illness Cover
• Contents Insurance
• Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance

9.   Tax & Tax Relief                        

• First Time Buyers
• Stamp Duty  
• Governments ‘Rent a Room’ Scheme
• Mortgage Interest Relief
• Owner Occupiers
• Property Investors

 10. Moving house

• Packing
• Who to inform
• Who to inform checklist
• Moving Countdown checklist
• Moving Materials
• Last on, First Off Box of Essentials

11.   Jargon Buster

Please note: The web pages in this 'guides' section are based on the Moving.ie Home Buyers Guide 2009. Some of this information may now be out of date. Please check with your advisors before acting on information contained within it.