Purchasing Property, Buying Property, Guide, House Purchase, Home buying guide, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland.

In this guide we endeavour to briefly describe to you the various steps to be taken in purchasing a property and outline to you the costs, tax implications and the benefits to First Time Buyers involved in the transaction.

This is probably the most important decision to be considered. You need to work out your costs and how much you can borrow. To assist you, we would be delighted to go through your figures at our office before you even enquire about any property. If it is more convenient, you can use our Projected Property Costs form and you can find out how much you can borrow by submitting our Mortgage Quotation Form, and let us help you on-line. We can give you an Loan Approval Certificate based on your income and other details supplied by you. This really puts you in a strong position, in that, you can have confirmation from how much they will lend you on property before you choose it. This support will enable you to shop around with confidence immediately.

Do you intend living in the house indefinitely? Do you intend to resell in the near future? Location is the most important feature a property can have when it comes to resale.

New or old house?

The benefit of buying a new house is that you will have the most up to date features included in the new house. However, usually there are additional costs in relation to development of gardens, painting, carpets, curtains, etc. A second hand house usually provides these. There are stamp duty benefits to a purchaser in a new house and these are outlined in the linked sections of our wite. Legal and other costs vary little between new and second hand houses. These are outlined in our cost section. Consider the stamp duty issues as they can vary substantially.

Make a list of everything that is important to you before you go looking.
Save time by only viewing houses that fit your criteria.
Get maps at the local Council to see that the area is well serviced by transport, water and sewerage services and check what other developments are proposed for the area.
If schools are important to you check our what is available before you travel. See our School links.
Arrange to view a number of properties together to save time. This also allows you to compare different properties. Get a brochure on each property from the Auctioneer, this will help to remind you later of the features of each property you viewed.
Confirm your viewing appointment and where you are going to meet to save time and mix ups.
View the house you propose to buy more than once, walk around the house before and after leaving it, as this helps to give you the full impression.
Houses are best viewed in daylight.
When you have chosen the house you want, check services - alarms, heating, water, sewerage, showers, toilets. Estimate repair costs if appropriate so that these maybe factored into your loan application figure.
Do not worry too much about decoration or carpets - these can be changed.
Check out what is included in the sale.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.