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Buying property in 2025

Posted on: Friday, December 13, 2024

The beginning of a new year is a time for fresh starts, renewed optimism, and exciting changes, making it the perfect opportunity to buy a new home. This guide will give you all the tips you need to make that dream move a reality. 

 

Calculate your budget 

Before you start searching for your perfect property, it is important to calculate your budget

Before you start searching for your perfect property, it is important to calculate your budget so you know what price range you should be looking at. To calculate an accurate and realistic estimate, you should consider your income, savings, and monthly expenses. It's a good idea to let a mortgage adviser help you with this, as they will give you an estimate of what you can afford based on your situation. 

 

Get a pre-approved mortgage 

Mortgage pre-approval is a process that involves a lender conducting a thorough assessment of an individual’s financial history to establish the maximum loan amount they can receive. Several things are checked in mortgage pre-approval, such as your credit score, bank statements, and payslips. As well as creating additional mortgage options that are personalised to you, having a pre-approved mortgage will make you stand out as a serious buyer, which can give you an advantage when searching and making offers for properties. 

 

Use an experienced estate agent 

When buying a home, using the services provided by an experienced estate agent is paramount. The knowledge and expertise they possess contribute to a successful, stress-free process and help you make informed decisions. They are equipped with a large network of connections, which allows them to access a greater selection of homes that meet your needs and desires. Furthermore, estate agents manage the intricate web of legal and financial factors involved in buying a home, providing vital information and support throughout the process. It is important that you seek their assistance when preparing to make an offer for a property, as they can suggest a sensible amount to put on the table. 

 

Find your ideal home 

When looking for your perfect home, there are several things you need to consider, one of which is the location of the property

When looking for your perfect home, there are several things you need to consider, one of which is the location of the property and its access to important amenities such as schools, hospitals, and transportation links. Aside from the practicalities of a location, you should also ensure that you enjoy the overall feel of the neighbourhood so that you are confident that you will enjoy living there. You should also consider what type of property you need based on your situation. For example, if you have a growing family, you might want to search for a house with multiple bedrooms and a spacious garden. 

 

Inspect the property 

Once you have found a property that you are interested in buying, you should make sure to give it a thorough inspection. This is crucial as it could reveal issues that you did not previously spot when you viewed the property. It could be a good idea to hire a surveyor, as they will check for any issues with the property and detail their findings to you so that you are fully aware of the condition of the home you are looking to buy. 

 

Read the contract

Thoroughly reviewing the entire contract is essential when buying a property to ensure a smooth and legally sound exchange. Professionally examining the contract will help you find any hidden clauses that could otherwise be overlooked, meaning there will be fewer unpleasant shocks or disagreements in the future. There is nothing in the contract that is unimportant, so you mustn't skip any parts or ignore anything you do not understand. If you find something in the contract that you are unhappy with, it is best to get in touch with your estate agent as they will suggest the best course of action.  

 

Contact us

If you’re looking to buy your next home, contact your local Guild Member today.

 

What Our
Clients Say

"

I would highly recommend Hardings. Their knowledge of the local area is outstanding, and they give honest and reliable advice. They have always been my partner of choice when buying and selling.

Rhiannon Prothero

"

Have used Hardings for many year on both personal and commercial property deals. Have always found them to be transparent, honest, authentic, and a pleasure to work with. Will continue to use in the future.

TB

"

I would highly recommend Hardings Estate Agents. They have excellent knowledge of Windsor and the surrounding areas, and are extremely professional, responsive and courteous. I would not hesitate to using them again the future. I recently dealt with Milica who was instrumental in securing us our new home in Windsor as well as the sale of our existing property. She was a fab negotiator and a real pleasure to work with from beginning to end. Thank you!

Jonathon Beresford

"

Hardings of Windsor managed our purchase with complete professionalism and went over and above in my opinion to manage the transaction and chain, resulting in a really smooth purchase. Milica at Hardings constantly provided timely updates and managed respective solicitors and the chain effectively, always responding quickly to queries. The whole transaction would not have happened without Milicas' focus on making all parties comfortable and satisfying all queries, not only professional but a delightful and welcoming personal approach that was a constant throughout. Thanks Hardings! Thanks Milica!

Stuart Blatch

"

I would recommend using Hardings estate agents when buying or selling your property. Dominic (Scully) was always available, helpful and genuinely interested in my purchase and always calm and compassionate. If I ever move again my first choice will be Hardings.

Cath Powell

"

Dom and the team at Hardings were so helpful and efficient when I purchased my flat - friendly and professional service and kept us up-to-date the whole way through the process. It was my first time buying and so was very nervous but they helped me feel at ease.

Freppell

"

We bought and sold through Hardings and can't recommend their professional service enough. The whole Team are really lovely, we were kept informed throughout the process and never had to chase anything.

Natalie Quint

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I used Hardings when I bought my property as well as when I sold it and the service has been fantastic both times. I very much recommend Hardings!

Therese Jouini

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We recently purchased our new home with Hardings Estate Agents. The whole team there were very helpful and flexible with us, arranging viewings quickly on the same day. They were always quick to respond and if ever our point of contact was not there, the service did not change as they work well together as a team. We received a personalised service, which allowed the sale to proceed quickly. Thank you all and we recommend Hardings Estate Agents without hesitation.

Mike B

"

What a pleasure it was to deal with Milica from Hardings. She sourced the perfect property for me and my family (while we were still abroad) and worked endlessly to put the deal together. I would give more than 5 stars if at all possible!

C D

"

Fantastic customer service and made what could have been stressful a total breeze. Dominic and Louisa were brilliant in helping me and my parents buy and sell our houses - reliable, helpful and thoughtful. Thank you!

Eloise Harris

"

Thank you, Dominic and Louisa - having not moved for over 30 years you helped me all the way, step by step. You were always polite, communicative, reassuring and very supportive. Would recommend Hardings wholeheartedly.

Anna Bowen
How Much is Your Property Worth?

How Much is Your Property Worth?

A senior member of our sales team will visit your property to discuss current market trends and how your home; based on size, condition and location should be pitched to achieve the best possible price and buyer. Coupled with an excellent understanding of the local market we do a detailed analysis of what else has sold and what is coming onto the market so we can give you the best chance to capitalise on your biggest asset.

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