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7 Solutions for First-Time Buyers

20th February 2018

Buying your first property is an exciting life milestone, but can also be quite tricky. Here are 7 dangers to consider, with actionable advice to help you avoid any issues.


1. Finding a balance with viewings

You view your first property. You love it. But should you go with that one? Well, if you don’t it might go to another buyer, but there also might be properties you love even more out there. It’s important to find the right balance - aim to view around half a dozen, but don’t neglect that gut feeling you’re getting from a certain property.


2. Leasehold and freehold

Leasehold and freehold might seem like a technicality, but the choice could make a huge difference to your experience as a homeowner. Before you think about buying, read our handy guide that cuts out the jargon to help you decide which is best for you. Problem solved.


3. Understanding shared ownership

Shared ownership can seem like a great option for those wanting to get on the property ladder. But it's important to understand what it actually means. For example, if you only have a 25% share in the property, you will still be liable for 100% of the service charges for maintenance of the building. You can find out more about if a shared ownership scheme would suit you in our first time buyers on a budget blog.


4. Overstretching on repayments

Stretching the term of a loan is appealing because it reduces monthly payments. But it can cause problems later. It’ll take much longer to pay off the loan, so you’ll be paying more interest. Your mortgage could last well into your retirement, which is important to consider. Maslen Estate Agents can offer fee-free, independent financial advice on the type of mortgage you’re taking out so you know the payment terms suit you.


5. Interest rates and inflation

Inflation has a critical effect on the price you pay for a mortgage. If interest rates go up, your mortgage could hike in price and your monthly payments could go up. Maslen Estate Agents have specialist mortgage advisors who are available to help guide you through your best mortgage options.


6. Extra costs

There are lots of costs that come with buying a property that you may not even have thought about, but need to budget for. From legal, mortgage and agent fees, make sure you’ve put some money aside for extra costs.


7. Overall monthly costs

Simply ensuring you can afford your mortgage payments isn’t enough - you need to consider council tax, bills, utilities and other outgoings you’ll have. Make sure it’s all affordable before finalising the offer on your new home.


Looking for more advice on buying your first property? Contact Maslen Estate Agents today.

Testimonials

  • Maslen's were amazing estate agents. Through,...

    Sarah Goodfellow Brighton

  • Sold within 2 weeks for asking price "excellent!"

    Mr Grundy Hove

  • Thanks for all your help and assistance. Very friendly and professional service.

    Lisa Downary Brighton

  • It was a long, drawn out process that the people at Maslen helped me through, without the impression that it was a chore. So extremely professional...

    Mr McLagan Brighton

  • I would recommend Maslen to anyone. 

    Mrs Tripp Brighton

  • Compared to your rivals, your service was excellent

    Ms McGrigor Brighton

  • From first valuation to completion day the Mas...

    Sam Brighton

  • Thank you for everything!

    Ms Tucker Brighton

  • The whole team were very committed from start to finish.

    Mr Pilgrim Brighton

  • Very pleased with the experience. I would definitely recommend you and use you again.

    Ms D Edmonds Brighton

  • I found the service to be courteous, friendly and efficient.

    Mr Upton Brighton

  • The staff were very helpful, an excellent service. I would recommend you to others.

    Miss Hockly Brighton

  • The best estate agents we have ever used. Friendly, efficient and above all truthful! You are in danger of giving estate agents a good name!

    Jacquie Ellis-Jones Shoreham

  • Thank you. We found all the staff knowledgeable and really pleasant to deal with. 

    Ms Ansloos Brighton

  • All staff extremely helpful and polite. They made our move very smooth and less stressful.

    Mr & Mrs Gosling Woodingdean

  • Very impressed with the efficient and friendly service, the staff were a pleasure to deal with. 

    Mr & Mrs Gill Brighton

  • Thank you to all the team at Maslen, especiall...

    Gabrielle Gardner Brighton

  • All very professional, kept updated throughout. Very pleased - Would recommend. 

    Mrs Hammond Brighton

  • You were amazingly helpful throughout - a real pillar of strength with a very difficult sale.

    Mrs Parkin Brighton

  • First class service. Friendly and professional.

    Mr Thorne Brighton

  • Maslen's were extremely helpful and profession...

    Bridget Allen Brighton

  • Donna was our vendors sales progressor. We cou...

    Allan Da Silva Brighton

  • Great service, always polite and friendly. Excellent contact and info all the way.

    Mr Wells Hove

  • Very helpful and patient team.

    Mrs Shea Brighton

  • Everyone at Maslen's were amazing, from Sam's...

    William Slingsby Brighton

  • I have bought and sold 7 properties, and this was the best experience of an estate agents services I have found.

    Mrs Shepherd Brighton

  • Already recommended you! Thank you.

    Mr Edwards Brighton

  • I found everyone helpful, positive and courteous.

    Jean Wooldridge Evesham

  • Thank you Maslens, you were all excellent!

    Miss Jasper Brighton

  • As always, an excellent service. 

    Mr & Mrs Field Brighton

  • Superb service as usual, I would always recommend you.

    Ms S Hike Brighton

  • I wish we had used you to sell our property! Nice to meet honest people, who are genuinely interested in helping. Very pleased.

    Mrs Porter Brighton

  • Your advice, support and understanding whilst dealing with the property were invaluable, making everything so easy.

    Janine Suttner Brighton

  • Donna was such a friendly and helpful support...

    Victoria Lander Brighton

  • Excellent communication and advice throughout. It felt very reassuring to be in good hands.

    Mrs Brooker Brighton

  • Service exceeded my expectations overall at all stages of the process - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you. Thanks. 

    Ms Greene Brighton

  • Excellent service as always

    Mr Field Brighton

  • I was new to the area and viewed a lot of properties with a lot of different agents. Maslens were by far the best I came in contact with, so when i...

    Mr & Mrs Heer Brighton

  • Very comprehensive and professional. Nice people to work with and highly recommended. 

    Mr Alderton Brighton

  • Best Estate Agents ever experienced - professional, approachable, competent and exemplary. 

    Mr & Mrs Guest Brighton

  • A really good experience.

    Mr Tibble Brighton

  • Excellent Service from start to finish.

    Mr T Mole Hove

  • We were delighted with the service received from all the staff with whom we had contact,

    Dr Crichton Brighton

  • Maslen made the selling of my flat as easy as...

    Victoria Bradley-Barnard Brighton

  • Several leagues above any other estate agent I have had contact with. Kept fully informed every step of the way.

    Paul Cade Haywards Heath

  • In what could have been a very stressful situation it has been a pleasure dealing with you and I can’t speak highly enough of the service provided.

    Gill Frost Hove

  • A completely painless experience from start to finish. Thank you.

    Mr Woolven & Mrs Bessant-Woolven Brighton

  • Paul was absolutely brilliant. 

    Mrs Tasker Brighton

  • All agents at Maslen were extremely helpful and polite from the beginning to the completion of sale. 

    Mr Johnson Brighton

  • Very pleased with the excellent service throughout. Professional, friendly, efficient and no hard sell. Achieved above asking price. Thank you!

    Mr Witten Brighton

  • Please thank Paul at Lewes Road - Excellent service. 

    Mr & Mrs Nuthall Brighton

  • Maslen's were very good at keeping in touch an...

    Penny Ashby Brighton

  • Very happy with the service we got from you guys, everyone we dealt with was extremely friendly, professional and helpful. Thanks!

    Mr Brown Brighton

  • From start to finish the sale was dealt with in a thoroughly professional manner.  

    Mr Gibbs Brighton

  • A very committed team who made the sale process very easy.

    Ms Rees Brighton

  • Quality advice about when and how to sell, which was spot on. Thank you.

    Miss Coleman Brighton

  • Thank you for your service, I would (and have) recommended you to my friends.

    Liz Dean Brighton

  • Delighted with the service provided. Very professional and skilful.

    Nicky Conlan Hove

  • Estate agents generally have bad reputations b...

    Dan Harris Brighton

  • Best Agents in Brighton.

    Mrs Field Brighton

  • First class service from a first class team.

    Mr & Mrs English Brighton

  • Very polite, good communication, excellent service.

    Alicia Van der Sluis Surrey

  • An efficient, professional and friendly service. Helpful and a pleasure to do business with.

    Mr Beddington Brighton

  • It was an amazing experience, everyone involved were fantastic. 

    Mr & Mrs Knight Brighton

  • In my situation, moving the sale of my home to Maslen Estate Agents really was a case of third time lucky!

    Lise Henderson Hove

  • Had a great experience with the purchase of ou...

    jennifer Willson Brighton

  • The team worked very hard over a long period to ensure my sale went through - excellent service!

    Mr Patrick Brighton

  • The sale was dealt with swiftly, professionally and successfully. Thank you Maslen!

    Mrs Lincoln Brighton

  • Good team. Straightforward. No nonsense.

    Mr Standing Brighton

  • You are the best estate agent I have ever dealt with and we will be recommending you to anyone moving!

    Hazel Young Hove

  • All the staff were professional, cheerful and supportive throughout the long process.

    Mr R Turner Shoreham

  • Very, very happy we chose you, felt right from the start! Thank you!

    Miss Blackadder Hove

  • This was the best experience I’ve ever had of estate agents. Professional, calm and understanding.

    Elinor James Hove

  • Very professional and friendly. The only estate agents I would trust and recommend.

    Jean Hurley Brighton

  • Excellent customer service throughout. I will definitely recommend you, and use you again. Thank you.

    Ms Longley Brighton

  • These guys are the real deal, highly experienced, no nonsense, honest and by far and away the most reliable we have encountered. 

    Sarah Studd Hove

  • Thanks for an excellent service. 

    Mr King Brighton

  • Fantastic service. By far the best agents we have ever used, I cannot recommend you highly enough.

    Mr Field Brighton

  • Really pleased with the service and will definitely recommend to others.

    Ruth Kendall Brighton

  • Very thorough & very informative.

    Mr Michnowicz Brighton

  • Paul Wilkinson was extremely helpful and efficient. The only problem was the vendors solicitor and Paul warned me of this. A good transaction all r...

    Mr Lavender Brighton

  • The team provided the best service I have ever received from an estate agent. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

    Nicki Myers Woodingdean

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