Q: WE ARE first time buyers and wondered if you had any tips for us to help us prepare for our property search.

Miss K, Brimscombe.

A: There are things you can do to help the buying process go smoothly and improve your chances of finding your dream home.

Here are a few tips:

1) If you’re buying a home for the first time you hold a strong position.

Estate agents will regard you as a good bet since you have none of the complications associated with having to sell a house and being part of a chain.

If you can't afford to buy a home outright, shared ownership and shared equity schemes might be able to help you.

2) If you’re selling a home, find a buyer before you begin to look for your new home or at least have it on the market.

You’ll avoid the disappointment of missing out because someone else has the funds immediately available.

By all means browse the property portals on the internet to reassure yourself that properties you like are around, but home owners find it unfair should they need to spend hours preparing their homes for viewings to only find out the people viewing haven’t even put their house on the market.

3) Make sure you have your financial arrangements sorted out before you start to look at properties and have looked into what mortgage deals you could get.

Estate agents will take you more seriously if they know you have a ‘decision in principle’ from your lender.

It might also give you the edge over other potential buyers.

If you are looking for advice, select an independent all of market adviser that looks at every mortgage from every available lender.

Check the internet or ask a local estate agent, as they will be able to point you in the right direction for advice.

4) Get your bearings before you arrange a viewing.

It is always a good idea to drive or walk past the property you are thinking of viewing before arranging a fixed viewing with the estate agent.

As more and more information is available online many feel they have a good idea of the property so go ahead and arrange viewings but once at the doorstep decide not to view as the situation or location ‘is not for them’.

You can imagine the frustration of the seller after spending all morning preparing the house for the aborted viewing which could have been avoided had the viewer drove past first.

4. Find a solicitor or licensed conveyancer through recommendation.

If you choose a solicitor, make sure they’re specialist conveyancers and have a good reputation for moving quickly.

Conveyancers have been known for slowing down home buying, so it very important that you make the right choice.

As Estate Agents we work closely with conveyancers and will be able to recommend one to you.

5. Don’t bid too low for a property.

Be careful how aggressively you try to lower a price.

It might increase the chances of being gazumped and may also lead to resentment on the part of the seller and cause negotiations to become more difficult.

6. Establish how quickly the seller wants to move at the outset.

If the answer is as quickly as possible, does that fit with your circumstances?

If they're moving to a new job that doesn't start for months, will you be able to find a temporary home?

If you're keen to find a bargain, you may have a better chance if you look for sellers who need to move for a reason, such as a new job or have already found a new home so have a strong incentive to move or have had their property on the market for some months.

7. Communicate during the property buying process.

Don’t disappear on holiday for two weeks without informing all necessary parties.

Don’t ignore any aspects of letters about the purchase that you don’t understand.

Raise any queries you have about the purchase immediately with either your estate agent or conveyancer.

All too often the buying process has almost reached completion then we find out the buyer has gone on holiday which can cause all sorts of delays and complications.

Please continue to send your property questions to: clive@sawyersestateagents.co.uk