For first time buyers in particular, the process of buying your first home can feel like information overload. Our two London developments, Colindale Gardens in North West London, and The West Works in West London, are perfectly positioned for buyers seeking to take the first step on the housing ladder, with great transport links, stamp duty savings and even a helping hand towards furnishing your new home.
If you’re thinking about making your first house purchase, our Director of Sales at Redrow London, Jody Bryant, has shared some of her top insights and advice for new buyers, to help shed some light on the process and make it as smooth as possible.
Align your budget with what you need
When selecting your property, consider how much you want to spend, what your able to afford, and the size of property you need. As you view a property, check the dimensions, and see how each room will work for you, your partner, or family.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Ensure you spend time with the sales consultant, going through the specification meticulously and spend a good amount of time in the development show home so you can get a real feel for it.
Do your research
Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. Before putting in an offer, always gather as much info about the property as you can and make sure that the area is right for you.
Speak to the experts
You should always seek financial advice from a mortgage advisor, either through your bank or an independent advisor. Redrow can put buyers in touch with companies that we use to assist with their mortgage search and to check their affordability.
Keep on top of the admin
We always recommend to our customers that they review, sign, and send back all key documentation as promptly as possible to speed up the process and eliminate any delays. Additionally, we ensure that they are clear on any specific requirements, such as having proof of identification, address, and deposit.
Patience is key when buying a home
In total, the average exchange process can take 6-8 weeks, depending on the time it takes for searches and your mortgage offer to come in. Following this, completion depends on when the property is ready for occupation.
It is important to remember everything seems to take much longer than anticipated. The whole process is complex, with many moving parts and different parties contributing, so do allow yourself plenty of time for every stage.
We strive to give our customers the smoothest, most rewarding, and least stressful home-buying experience. Through our My Redrow platform, we’re proud to offer the most comprehensive programme of moving house help anywhere online. Learn more about our new build homeowner support.
*From an online survey conducted from 1,001 respondents from the UK from 29th-30th June 2022.
