For first-time buyers, it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of moving home. Life is about to change, and the next chapter will begin. There will be plenty on your mind, but all you will want to think about is the first week in your new home.

Things are not always as straightforward as moving in, however. With our top tips, our experts help you spend more time planning and less time worrying about paperwork and legal matters for your first move.

Finding your first home is only the beginning

When you first look to buy a property, there will be a few things on your checklist. You will likely be focusing on where the house is, what the house is, and how much it costs. Once you have found the perfect fit for your budget and needs, it can get more confusing.

Legal matters come into play, and that is why many people choose to work with a conveyancing solicitor to guide them through the confusion.
Costs can rise unexpectedly

The price of your property is only the first cost. There are many other expenses associated with buying a home, including land registry, survey costs and stamp duty.

Stamp duty increases depending on the value of the property and is paid on homes worth £125,000 or more and commercial properties and land valued at more than £150,000. A full explainer can be found in our blog on stamp duty.

It is good to prepare in advance for these costs, as you may end up out of pocket and delay the purchase of your home if you are not ready to pay them when required. Our advice is to budget for all the costs and fees relating to your home purchase, and not just your initial deposit.

Get a survey

Everything may look ok in a house viewing, but you will only get a short amount of time to take a look around. Digging beneath the surface can often offer better insight into the health of a property. For example, underlying structural problems or potential future problems can significantly impact the value of a property – and it is essential to know this before you buy, rather than after the paperwork is signed.

Instead of getting caught out, you should invest in a survey on the property to get a full view of what you are investing in.

You can find your own surveyor through the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, or when acting as your conveyancing solicitor in Portsmouth, we can recommend some local professionals that we have worked with in the past.

The build-up to moving in

For every important decision during a home purchase, there is the possibility of roadblocks appearing. Whilst some are unavoidable, or out of your control, working with a conveyancing solicitor can ensure that you have done everything possible to keep your move on track and on time.

From purchasing, signing contracts and ongoing support with every party throughout, a conveyancer can reduce the risk of delays and ensure you are legally compliant at every step of your buying process.

Do you need a solicitor for your first home?

Buying a home can be incredibly stressful, especially when you are doing it for the first time. If you are unsure or worried about what steps you need to take to purchase your first home, then it is recommended that you make an appointment to speak to one of our professionals.

They will be able to talk you through the entire process and answer any questions that you may have.

Get support from your local solicitors in Portsmouth

Andrew & Andrew provide timely, resourceful and cost-effective legal solutions for all your conveyancing needs, and take care of all legal processes involved with your first home purchase.

We are here to help, whenever you are ready. To get started, please talk to our team.

Andrew & Andrew Solicitors proudly serve clients across Hampshire from our Portsmouth, Emsworth, and Wickham offices.