Brian Holt offers top tips on home buying

In fact it can be a recipe for stress even if you’re an old timer with several purchases under your belt.

Jane Canning, manager of Brian Holt’s Leamington office, has put together a few top tips on how to make the experience enjoyable and reduce pressure levels:

Think about your order of priorities – location, price, amenities, proximity to schools and shops, space.

If you need three bedrooms and easy access to schools it’s all too easy to be dazzled by a beautiful two bedroom cottage with only a daily bus into town.

After the initial charm has worn off the daily nuisance of constant taxiing and squabbling children in a shared room may counteract the aesthetic advantages.

A house that may not win any beauty contests for its exterior can still be made attractive and homely on the inside.

Work out how much you can realistically afford. And that includes taking into account estate agency fees if you’re selling too, legal costs, removal costs and stamp duty at one per cent of the sale price for houses between £175,000 and £250,000 and three per cent up to £500,000. First time buyers completing before March 24 are exempt for houses below the £250,000 mark.

In these days of difficult access to finance there’s hopefully less chance of the problems we’ve seen in the past of people borrowing beyond their means and then being faced with interest rate rises. Bear in mind though that interest rates are at an all time low – and the only way is up – so ensure you have reserves to make the extra monthly repayments when the time comes.

Look at sites like Zoopla and Mouseprice to get an idea of selling prices in the area you’re looking at.

And if you find your first area of choice is out of your price range look a few miles further afield where there may well be much better value for money available.

When you’ve found a property you like check it out at different times of day.

It may be peaceful at midday but like Piccadilly Circus at school run times. .

It’s also wise to find out the seller’s position – top of the list is one who’s willing to move into rented accommodation to ensure the chain moves swiftly. A good agent will be an expert at juggling chains and solicitors.

When you’ve found your home, it’s time to put in an offer. If you’re selling as well then the agent you’re using should be able to negotiate the best price on your behalf. They’re trained at this sort of thing and will probably get a better deal than you trying to deal with the selling agent. – him or her self an experienced negotiator.

Once the price has been agreed it’s time to confirm the mortgage in principle offer you agreed before starting on your search. One condition of the mortgage will be a satisfactory survey, often arranged via the mortgage company.

This will highlight any faults, which could affect the value of the property. Three different levels of survey are available and your agent will recommend the most appropriate.

The results of the survey may mean you need to renegotiate the price – and once that’s dealt with it’s time for the solicitor to get in on the act arranging local searches and looking into the property deeds.

If you are buying or selling through a well established reputable agent they should be able to ensure the solicitor is nudged on a regular basis to keep the chain moving.