Planning on buying a home for the first time? This is a major life moment and one which should be celebrated. Although it is an exciting period, it is also one which can be highly daunting as buying a house is a big commitment and (usually) the largest financial move that a person will make. With this in mind, it is important that you take your time to make sure that you are making the right decision and that you find a house that is well suited to your needs. These are the main considerations that you will need to keep in mind when buying a home for the first time.

1. Location

First, you should think about the area in which you want to live as this plays such a key part in your life. You will need to consider important factors such as:

• Proximity to work

• Proximity to friends and family

• Proximity to schools (if you have or plan on having kids)

• The neighbourhood

• Local amenities

If you are moving to a new area, then it is important to carry out thorough research beforehand to make sure that this is a place that you can see yourself living.

2. Cost

Cost is, of course, a huge factor when it comes to buying a home. You will need to sit down and figure out exactly what your budget is and think about the additional costs that are attached in buying a home. If you plan on obtaining a mortgage, you will want to save as large a deposit as possible and speak to a mortgage adviser to find a suitable deal and to improve your chances of getting your application approved. All of this means that it is best to start planning and saving as early as possible. Have a clear budget in mind by the time that you start viewing properties and make sure that it is something that you can afford – it is vital that you are able to afford repayments while maintaining your other financial obligations.

3. Size

Size is another key consideration to make, and this will be impacted by the location and cost of the property. The main consideration when it comes to size is thinking ahead to the future and whether or not you plan on adding to your family at all. You will not want to be moving home on a regular basis, so make sure that you have thought ahead before making a decision. If you are struggling to find a big enough house for your budget, it might be worth looking at alternative locations as the cost will vary greatly depending on where you are in the country. Large urban areas are usually more expensive than rural areas, for example.

4. Type Of Home

There are a number of different homes that you could consider which means that you should be able to find one that ticks all of the boxes for your needs. As an example, if you are struggling to find a property that is within your budget then you could consider a HUD home – this is a type of residential foreclosure due to the homeowner defaulting on their loan. The home is then the property of the owner who lists the property for sale to balance the amount that they are owed. This means that HUD homes can be much more affordable to purchase and often below market value, but be warned that the purchasing process is slightly different to buying a regular home – you can learn more about this type of home at www.crediful.com.

5. Key Features/Compromises

It is unlikely that you will find a dream home that ticks all of the boxes and is within your budget unless you get lucky. It is for this reason why it is a good idea to come up with key features that the home must have as well as areas that you would like, but you are willing to compromise. For example, it might be essential that the property has a garden, but you might be willing to compromise that it is slightly further from your place of work.

Buying a home for the first time is incredibly exciting, but it is important that you know what you want and have thought ahead. The above are the main considerations that you need to keep in mind when you are buying a home, and it is worth sitting down and discussing each consideration in depth. This should help you to find a suitable home and embark on this exciting new chapter in your life.