<p>There’s nothing better than finding your dream home, apart from the relief you feel when the keys are finally in your hand. The process of buying a property can often seem long-winded and stressful, but it can be made easier if you know what you’re doing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a first time buyer, or have been on the property ladder for years. Your experience of home buying will run a lot smoother if you check these three simple things first.<br />
<strong>Research everything you can about the neighbourhood</strong><br />
When house hunting, it’s easy to become excited and fixate on certain positives and overlook some negative aspects. Often we fall for a particular feature of a house, without taking a balanced view of the bigger picture. Before putting in an offer for a home, find out as much as you can about an area. If possible, visiting during different times of the day is a great way to get a proper feel for the area.<br />
To help satisfy yourself that the wider area fits what you’re looking for, find out as much as you can from estate agents and property news websites. There’s a wealth of information available, from historical price trends to insight on how prices vary in different areas across a town or region.<br />
<strong>Your credit rating</strong><br />
A good credit rating is essential for taking out a mortgage. If your credit rating is not strong then your bank is less likely to loan you money for a mortgage. There is no quick fix for a poor credit rating, so plan well ahead to maximise your chances of being accepted – and getting the best possible deal – for a mortgage.<br />
There are a number of companies who can offer you an online credit report. If you find out that your credit rating is low, don’t panic. The best first step you can take to improve your credit rating is using a credit card to build a track record of handling credit well to improve your score. With a poor or non-existent record, specialist credit cards for bad credit are available for the express purpose of turning your credit rating around.<br />
<strong>Get a survey of the home</strong><br />
The neighbourhood is wonderful and you’ve secured a mortgage; now it’s time to make sure that the house is really up to the standards that you need. A home report, survey, or evaluation is a good way to guarantee your purchase. The professionals will come in and find out whether any repairs are required to the property. The seller will then be required to either fix the issues or you are in a position to buy the home at a negotiated price. The price of a survey is small compared to the investment made in buying a property, and will guarantee you peace of mind in your new home.<br />
Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/credit-cards/initial</p>

3 Things To Check Before Purchasing A Home
