Buying A House: The First Steps

Buying a house can be a very exciting, but highly stressful, process. Whether you have found your dream house or you are aiming to buy a property to rent out, you will need sound legal advice and a good deal of patience to ensure that the purchase runs smoothly.

Here at Irwin, Kilcullen & Co Solicitors, we pride ourselves on making the process as simple and stress-free as possible, and we will work closely with you to help you to move into your new home as quickly as possible. The first step is, of course, finding the right property for you. It’s easy to make decisions based on particular aspects of a property, but it’s essential to have a reliable checklist to ensure that you will not regret your decision.

Questions To Ask Yourself When You’re Buying a House:

1.    Where is it? The right property is only the right property if it’s in the right place. You should consider the needs of every member of the family and take into account the locations of jobs, schools and groups regularly attended, as well as considering the proximity to local services, facilities and community.

2.    Is it the right size? Buying a house that is too small for your family will lead to frustration and the need to move again within a short time frame, unless the property has the potential to extend. On the other hand, a property that is larger than you need may be a big commitment physically or financially, and may be something you later regret.

3.    How does it feel? It’s important to establish whether the new property is a place where your family can be happy, and it is a good idea to arrange for all family members to view the property to help you make a decision about whether it is right for you. Try not to be swayed by the contents of the house, or any animals who live there – and don’t forget to explain to children that these will not be included in the sale!

4.    Is it within budget? Buying a house is a big commitment and you must ensure that you have the potential to buy a property that you make an offer on. Talking to your financial advisor or consulting a mortgage lender will help you to make sure that you are looking at properties that you can afford.

5.    What condition is it in? If you are buying a new property, you will probably be able to select some of the finishing touches and be able to move straight in. If you are buying an older property, however, you may need to consider whether any minor or major work needs doing, and whether you have the funds to finance this. A survey is essential when you are buying a property, to ensure that it does not have any serious problems.

Of course, it’s very rare to find a property that ticks every box, and there will usually be some compromise involved. Seeing as many properties as possible will help you to work out where you are prepared to compromise and what is really non negotiable for you. Good luck!

Find Property Solicitors in Cork

Here at Irwin, Kilcullen & Co Solicitors, we specialize in all aspects of property law. Simply contact us online or call us today on +021 4270934 to see how we can help.