How to:

How to: Buy off-plan

Buying off-plan is where a buyer purchases a property before it is actually built using the architect's plans, computer generated images, local knowledge and developer's information.

Buying off-plan is popular when house prices are rising; the idea is that the price is agreed before the property is built and by the time it's completed it's worth a lot more.

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How to: Eco-up your home
Making your home more ecologically friendly means introducing measures that mean you use less energy. Some ways to eco-up your home are cheap and easy while others are more expensive and only cost effective over the longer-term. The key areas where you can improve the energy efficiency of your home are hot water, heating, insulation, water conservation and lighting. These are the areas that affect your utility bills. ...
How to: Get the most from your IFA
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make so getting the right advice is vital. It's best to go to an independent financial adviser (IFA) rather than an adviser at a bank or building society. This is because bank advisers are usually 'tied', which means they can only offer products from a limited number of providers, whereas an IFA can recommend products from the whole market. Having access to more financial products will make it more likely that you find the product that is right for you. ...
How to: Go from offer to completion
There is, as the saying goes, 'many a slip 'twixt cup and lip' and just because you put in an offer on a property, it doesn't necessarily follow that the path to completion will be completely smooth You've worked out your budgets, targeted your area of choice and done your homework on the local amenities. After much searching, you've found the place of your dreams. You may feel exhausted and relieved - but now comes the tricky bit - steering the deal through from offer to completion of contract when the keys of your new home are placed in your trembling hands. ...
How to: Choose a green property
According to OFGEM, energy costs have become a serious concern to consumers. Rising energy bills, combined with a tough economic climate and a government drive to reduce carbon emissions mean that buying an eco-friendly home has never been so important. Laura Edgecumbe explains how to go about it illustrations by GEMMA WATSON ...
How to: Build your dream home
Daunting though it may seem, building your own home is a financially viable option for first time buyers. Chance Delgado explains Around 20,000 people self-build in the UK each year. When you realise that the average cost of a self-build is £50 per square foot, compared to an average of more than £200 per square foot for a ready-built property, it's not hard to see why. ...
How to: Give your home a mini makeover
Little time or money to redecorate? Then try these tips for a brand new look......

How to: Buy at auction
There are bargains to be had at auction, but for novices, bidding for your home can be one of the...
How to: Raise a deposit
In the wake of the global financial crisis, raising a substantial deposit has become the prime fo...
How to: Research your property purchase
It’s a lot more than location, location, location when buying your first home. But it doesn’t hav...
How to: Negotiate on property price
You’ve seen the property, you have a mortgage offer, now for the most important skill of all… neg...
How to: Buy to renovate
For those who would rather opt for a quirky, dilapidated home over the perfectly plastered walls ...
How to: Get a buy-to-let mortgage
How to: Buy without an estate agent
How to: Get the right survey done

Market Watch

To rent or to buy – that is the question
Recent figures suggest rental prices are now higher than average mortgage payments. Laura Edgecumbe-Ansdell investigates whether the time is ripe for ftbs to swap renting for a mortgage According...